Honolulu Theatre for Youth Invites All Kupuna Age 72 or Older to Attend NOTHING IS THE SAME for Just 5 Cents, 12/7

Honolulu Theatre for Youth invites all kupuna age 72 or older to attend the Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m.showing of NOTHING IS THE SAME for just 5 cents. Presented in partnership with Pacific Historic Parks (PHP), the drama is about four Wahiawa children whose lives are forever changed when they experience the Japanese bombing on December 7, 1941.

The play is being presented in honor of the 72nd anniversary of the attack, with two of the performances staged on the actual anniversary of the bombing. NOTHING IS THE SAME opens Friday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m., then plays Saturdays, Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14 at 4:30 p.m., and Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. All shows are at Tenney Theatre. Regular ticket prices are $20 for adults (age 18-59), $15 for seniors (age 60+) and $10 for youth (age 2-17), see www.htyweb.org or call 839-9885.

Pacific Historic Parks and Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii members receive $2 off any ticket during the entire run of the play. To obtain this discount or the 5-cent ticket for the Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. showing, patrons must call the HTY Box Office at 839-9885 ext. 720.

The powerful yet humorous drama examines the lives and relationships of a handful of kids at the time of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and Wheeler Army Air Field. Aside from the world events they have created, adults are completely absent as the play follows George, Mits, Bobi and Daniel from December 7, 1941 through March 1942, exploring what it means to be a child during wartime-and what it means to be a hero, a friend...and an American. HTY and PHP have invited Pearl Harbor survivors to attend, share their stories and sign autographs after select performances.

Guest Director Mark Lutwak said, "This play is extraordinary in the way that it can help today's children walk in the shoes of those who have come before them. December 7, 1941 was important for Hawaii, the nation, and the world. I'm proud that HTY is helping keep that history alive through the power of the theatre."

"The events of December 7, 1941 are often difficult for children to understand and for parents to explain. We are excited to support this innovative Honolulu Theatre for Youth production and to share the history of the attack with students across Oahu," said Aileen Utterdyke, interim CEO, Pacific Historic Parks.

NOTHING IS THE SAME was written in 2004 as the culmination of a two-year Pew Charitable Trust grant for HTY's "December 7, 1941 Project," during which HTY worked closely with local oral history informants, the University of Hawaii and the educators and students of Wahiawa Elementary School.

Actors are Kala'i Stern as Daniel, Junior Tesoro as George, Alvin Chan as Mits and Maile Holck as Bobi. Set, props and light design is by David Gerke; costume design is by Sandra Payne; sound design is by Babatunji Heath.

Playwright Y York was formerly in residence at HTY. Her plays have been produced nationwide; HTY has produced Afternoon of the Elves, Othello, The Last Paving Stone, and The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi.

Honolulu Theatre for Youth is Hawaii's non-profit professional theatre company providing theatre and drama education programs that make a difference in the lives of Hawaii's young people and families. Founded in 1955, HTY is recognized the world over as one of America's most honored theatres.

Founded in 1979, Pacific Historic Parks is a non-profit cooperating association of the National Park Service. PHP supports and funds educational and interpretive programs for WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument at Pearl Harbor; American Memorial Park on Saipan; War in the Pacific National Historical Park on Guam; and Kalaupapa National Historical Park on the island of Molokai. For more information, visit www.pacifichistoricparks.org.

Photo Credit: Brad Goda

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