It is with deep regret that Hilo Community Players announces the cancellation of their play ‘ART’.

As many of you know, we lost one of our dearest members, Ms. Laura Andres, back in July. She was to have directed the show. A very talented and accomplished director, Mr. Ken Elliott, stepped in at the last minute and rehearsals were taken up with gusto. There was also a change in the cast at the last minute.

Life they say imitates art, but in this case ‘ART’, the play, has imitated life. Due to unhappy and unforeseen circumstances, the play cannot go on as scheduled. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause.

The honored and old cliche that “the show must go on” does not always apply. Sometimes the curtain has to come down.

ART COMES TO EHCC – “ART” the play, that is – IN SEPTEMBER

Can art come between friends?

That’s the question – and not the only question – raised in an award-winning one-act comedy called “ART,” starring three of Hilo’s veteran actors.

When Serge [Jake McPherson] buys a modern painting that’s essentially all white, Marc [Saul Rollason] is astounded, calls it “a piece of [bleep]” and wonders why his friend has spent a fortune on something so foolish.  Yvan [Steve Peyton] sees Marc’s point, but has always trusted Serge’s taste in modern art.  Things can only get worse!

Director Ken Elliott has lived in Hawai’i for four years, following a two-decade acting career in Los Angeles. He recently co-starred on the final season of the television series “Lost”, and can also be seen portraying Little RIchard on “Cold Case”. In 2009 he directed “The Laramie Project – Ten Years Later” at the Performing Arts Center at UH-Hilo, and starred in and directed the play “Tape,” at EHCC in 2008.

“ART,” by Yasmina Reza, translated (from French) by Christopher Hampton, won Broadway’s highest honor in 1998 – the Tony Award for best play – after winning the equivalent – the Olivier Award –  for its London production in 1996.

“ART” will be presented by the Hilo Community Players over the first two weekends in September, in the upstairs theater at the East Hawaii Cultural Center (EHCC), which is also Hilo’s modern art gallery!  Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday September 3, 4, 10 and 11; with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. on September 5 and 12.  All tickets are $10 (EHCC members pay $8).  The EHCC is at 141 Kalakaua St. – across from Kalakaua Park – in downtown Hilo.

For tickets, phone the EHCC Box Office at 935-9085.

Hilo Community Players has produced Shakespeare in the Park for 32 years, and we are thrilled to announce the cast list for Love’s Labour’s Lost, our 33^rd Annual Shakespeare in the Park. Congratulations to this fine cast.

FERDINAND, King of Navarre              Robert Hunt

BEROWNE,    lord attending on the King            Nick Brosseau       

LONGAVILLE, lord attending on the King            Ian Schroeder

DUMAIN,     lord attending on the King              Evan Silberstein

BOYET,   lord attending on the Princess of France            Jake McPherson

DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO, fantastical Spaniard           George Ramirez

SIR NATHANIEL, a curate      Chelley Edwards

HOLOFERNES, a schoolmaster            Carol Coggin

DULL, a constable  Catherine McPherson

COSTARD, a clown                Leslie Kelly

MOTH, page to Armado       Iris McPherson

THE PRINCESS OF FRANCE   Felix

ROSALINE, lady attending on the Princess         Bria Callaway

MARIA,    lady attending on the Princess           Justine Thompson

KATHARINE, lady attending on the Princess       Laura Caswell

JAQUENETTA, a country wench           Stephanie Becher

Many fine actors auditioned for this show, and the casting choices were difficult. The co-directors, Amy and Jake, wish to heartily thank all the people who turned out for auditions. Your presence made our job fun and anguishing. This is a big show and will take the work of many people to pull it off. If there is any work backstage you wish to contribute, please contact us through this web site.

Mahalo nui loa!

Bat Boy, the Musical

CAST LIST

Bat Boy the Musical

We are THRILLED to announce the cast of “Bat Boy, the Musical!”  Congratulations to these amazing performers!!

Edgar – Joshua Adams

Meredith – Yisa Var

Dr. Parker – Phillip Russell

Shelley – Gloria Baraquio

Sherriff Reynolds – Roch Jones

Pan – Daron Scarborough

Reverend Hightower – Clay Callaway

Mrs. Taylor – Laura Andres

Rick Taylor – Mark DeMoss

Ron Taylor – Kira Sirois

Ruthie Taylor – Cara Leonard

ENSEMBLE

(Daisy, Bud, Roy, Ned, Mayor Maggie, Lorraine, Institute Man, Doctor, etc…)

• - Jade Ellis

• - Koran Munafo

• - Jessica Dempsey

• - Laura Andres

• - Mark DeMoss

• - Cara Leonard

• - Roch Jones

Assembling this cast was a surprising challenge.  We met a lot of GREAT new talent!  There were so many strong voices, and so many strong performers.  MAHALO NUI LOA to all who tried out!  I’m so grateful to each of you for lending your support to this project.  This show is going to be an insane amount of work, and we’re going to need everyone’s help to pull it all together.  Thank you, and take pride in knowing that you’re continuing a grand tradition of Community Theatre!  Together, on stage, back stage, in the scene shop, in the box office, we make magic happen!  YOU are the Community in “Community Theatre.”

Bat Boy Audition Flyer

Auditions!

Saturday, Feb 20, 2-5pm

Wednesday, Feb 24, 6-9pm

Puueo Community Center (Clem Akina Park) on Wainaku – same place we always do auditions.

More info on the Official Bat Boy Page!

Can’t wait to see you there!!!

Bat Boy the Musical

We are THRILLED to announce our upcoming production of the cult musical hit, “Bat Boy, the Musical.” Featuring an energetic  score by Laurence O’Keefe, “Bat Boy” tells the story of a half-bat, half-boy who was found in a cave in West Virginia.  You may have read his story in the Weekly World News.  The stage show follows his tale, from his discovery, to his education, his romance, and the revelation of his unholy origins!

“Bat Boy, the Musical” is being directed by Randy Raphael, whose credits include “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “The Tempest,” and last Summer’s “The Taming of the Shrew.”  Musical Direction is being provided by Gonzo Grogg (“Hedwig,” “Cabaret”).  If you’re interested in joining the creative team, please contact the director at wonderrandy@gmail.com.

Auditions will be held in late February, with performance at the Akebono Theater in Pahoa, starting April 29.  We’re finalizing the specifics now, so stay tuned for more details.

Love’s Labour’s Lost

Our 33^rd Annual Shakespeare in the Park!

May the Bard be with you

Take four young, noble gentlemen who swear to pursue erudition for three years, add four glorious women of France emboldened as an embassy from their king, and mix them together with various clownish figures such as a fantastical Spaniard, a mouthy page, and pompous lecturers, and you get the makings of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost. The language is some of the grandest the Bard ever penned. The comedy refreshes the eyes and easily produces smiles. The setting is a garden, and the costumes are resplendent.

Come be part of Hilo Community Players’ 33^rd Annual Shakespeare in the Park. There are parts for eleven men and five women, and a few of those men’s parts can be cast as women, depending on the level of ability at auditions.

Speaking of auditions, set aside the first two weekends of April. That’s April 3 and 4 and then again on 10 and 11. The place will be the Pueo Community Center. The times are to be announced.

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Shakespeare in the Park promises to be a laugh-out-loud good time this summer. Originally staged as a play within a play, the Hilo Community Players are reinterpreting “The Taming of the Shrew” to be a 1950’s television program, with the audience playing the role of our “live studio audience”. Taming of the Shrew will be set in 1953 upper middle class society. This play has a serious message hidden amongst the light hearted humor. Katherine (played by Jessica Dempsey), also known as the Shrew, refuses to conform to the role society has chosen for her. She meets Petruccio (Ray Campainha), falls in love, and capitulates and conforms to society’s standards. Throughout the play her younger sister Bianca (Felix Kao) is pursued by three suitors: Gremio (Tim Oldfather), Hortensio (Jake McPherson), and Lucentio (Nick Brosseau). The suitors endure all sorts of complications because Baptista (Phil Taylor), father to Katherine and Bianca, declares no one may court Bianca until her older sister Katherine is married off. In the end Lucentio wins Bianca’s heart with the help of his two servants Tranio (Mark de Moss) and Biondello (Ian Schroeder) and marries her. Gremio decides that he needs to marry somebody rich and finds the Widow (Laura Andres) to his taste. Adding to the fun and chaos are Lucentio’s father Vincentio (Lewis Moore), the Pedant (Michael Conlon) and the comedy team of Petruccio’s servants Grumio (Leslie Kelly), and our clowns (Angela Nakamura, Kekoa Graham and Catherine McPherson) inspired by the Three Stooges. It’s a recipe for a romping good time.

Shakespeare in the Park has been an East Hawaii tradition for 32 years. As always the show is presented free of charge but audience members will have a chance to donate when we “pass the hat” around at intermission. Donations are highly encouraged as all funding for the show comes from community donations. Also don’t forget about our fabulous concessions. This year we will be offering chocolate bars, sodas, water, baked goods and coffee provided by Kope Kope Espresso Cafe.

Performances are July 2nd and 3rd, 8th through the 11th, and 17th & 18th at 7:30 pm. July 5th and 12th are matinees with performances at 2:30 pm. A special Q&A session with the actors will be held after the July 12th performance. All performances will be held at Kalakaua Park in downtown Hilo. Don’t forget to bring an umbrella and a cushion. Performances are rain or shine!

Don’t forget that auditions for this year’s production of Shakespeare In The Park start this weekend! This year we’re doing The Taming Of The Shrew set in 1953 and our director is Randy Raphael. Auditions are being held at the Puueo Community Center in Clem Akina Park.

Dates and times for auditions are:

Friday, April 10 from 6pm to 8pm
Saturday, April 11 from 2pm to 4pm
Friday, April 17 from 6pm to 8pm
Saturday, April 18 from 2pm to 4pm

Please arrive early, and plan to stay the full two hours. Prepared monologues are welcome, but NOT required or expected. If you would like to familiarize yourself with the play, visit http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/shrew/.

Parts are available for 3 women (possibly more), and MANY men.

Remember, volunteers are always welcome, so if you’d like to come help with the show, come to auditions and talk to our production team!

See you there!

Come on out and join us for the opening night of Cabaret. Or join us for any of our other performances.

Show dates are March 20 and 21 at 7:30 pm. March 22 at 2:00 pm at The Hilo Woman’s Club in Hilo. March 26, 27, 28 and April 3 and 4 at 7:30 pm at the Akebono Theater in Pahoa. (more…)