Honolulu Theatre for Youth Sets 2016-17 Season 'Stories of Home'

Honolulu Theatre for Youth announces its 2016-17 season, "Stories of Home." Each of the seven original plays explores how stories inform our identity of home.

From classic Japanese folk stories to original works to giving voice to Hawaii's communities not often featured on our stages, this season promises to be "one of the most inclusive seasons in our entire history," said Artistic Director Eric Johnson. "We think that inclusivity starts with curiosity, and the theatre is a wonderful place to explore our identity in terms of culture, family or simply by becoming more empathetic to those around us."

New this year, the HTY season expands to include not one, but two shows geared specifically for preschool and kindergarten audiences. "Every HTY production is targeted towards the specific age of its audience and by offering a full series for its youngest audiences HTY ensures that more students will have the opportunity to make art a part of their lives," Johnson said. At the other end of the spectrum, grandparents can look forward to more shows created specifically for intergenerational interests. These offerings, coupled with the continuation of a sensory friendly performance series and even a show that features deaf performers, mean HTY will have a show for everyone from keiki to kupuna.

Season tickets for the entire 7-show (Oahu mainstage) season are $105 for adults (age 19-59), $55 for youth (18 and under) and $80 for seniors (60+), and are on sale now. A five-show option is available. Single tickets are $20, $10 and $15, respectively. All shows will be staged at Tenney Theatre, The Cathedral of St. Andrew, where HTY performs in residence. For more information, to receive a season brochure, order tickets to a show or learn more about HTY's educational programming call HTY at 839-9885. Tickets may also be ordered online at www.htyweb.org.

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.

HONOLULU THEATRE FOR YOUTH 62nd SEASON

AUGUST 2016 - MAY 2017

All shows performed at Tenney Theatre, The Cathedral of St. Andrew

Anime Momotaro: The Adventures of Peach Boy

by Alvin Chan, Eric Johnson and the HTY Company, based on the Japanese folktale

· Friday August 12, 7 p.m.; Saturdays August, 13, 20, 27, Sept. 3, 10, 17 at 4:30 p.m.

· Sensory Friendly/Sign Interpreted Performance: September 17, 11 a.m.

· Recommended for age 5+

Last produced in 2011 and back by popular demand, this original staging of Japan's most famous folktale draws inspiration from the visually rich world of Japanese anime as well as traditional Japanese Theatre techniques and music. Teaching powerful lessons about inner strength and one's ability to stand up against bullying, the story features cute ogres, brave animals and a miraculous boy, born from a peach. The 2016 production will feature an updated script and design, an additional actor and a live musician.

***NEIGHBOR ISLAND TOUR***

In October and November 2016, HTY will tour the 2015-16 season production of H20: The Story of Water and Hawaii to the neighbor islands for school and public performances. Dates TBD.

Can You Hear My Hands?

Created by Ed Chevy and Friends

· Friday October 14, 7 p.m.; Saturdays Oct. 15, 22, Nov. 5, 12 at 4:30 p.m.

· Recommended for age 6+

Visual poetry explodes onstage as a company of deaf and hearing actors bring to life the dynamic gestures, expression, humor and language unique to deaf culture in our community. Created to give a hearing audience a joyful introduction to a world we often see but seldom enter, this performance provides a window into a vibrant and creative cultural community. The show celebrates the abilities of some of Hawaii's most talented actors, storytellers, comedians and a professional bassist in the world's most popular deaf rock band, Beethoven's Nightmare.

Blue

by Annie Cusick Wood

Meet Inky Blue and Pale Blue. Happy in their blue world. This is a simple story of what happens one day when color comes into their lives. Filled with fun, humor and whimsy, the show introduces the idea of tolerance and understanding in an age-appropriate theatrical experience that was a sleeper hit in 2012 and is now back by popular demand.

Saturdays, November 5, 12, 19 at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Sign Interpreted Performance: Nov. 12 11:30am

Recommended for age 3+

A Plantation Celebration

created by a variety of local writers, and Mark Lutwak

· Friday November 25, 7 p.m.; Saturdays, November 26, December 3, 10, 17 at 4:30 p.m.

· Sensory Friendly/Sign Interpreted Performance: December 17, 11 a.m.

· Recommended for age 6+

This collection of original scenes, stories and classic songs will look back on the Holidays in old Hawaii. With the end of the plantations this play turns a nostalgic eye to our past, capturing the values of community, diversity and 'ohana. Some of Hawaii's best writers of today will look back to imagine the stories of our past. This production will continue HTY's ongoing priority of creating intergenerational programming that celebrates the unique history of Hawaii.

You and Me and the Space Between

by Finegan Kruckemeyer; co-commissioned by Terrapin Puppet Theatre

· Friday January 13, 7 p.m.; Saturdays, Jan. 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4 at 4:30 p.m.

· Sensory Friendly/Sign Interpreted Performance: Feb. 4, 11 a.m.

· Recommended for age 7+

What happens when an island springs a leak and can no longer float on the open sea? This thoughtful and poetic story by the author of Suzette Who Set To Sea asks pressing questions about what might happen when an island people are forced to change, and tells of one girl's heroic journey to save her people's lives and spirits.

Home

by Annie Cusick Wood

· Saturdays, Feb 11, 18, 25 at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.

· Sign Interpreted Performance: Feb. 18 at 11:30am

· Recommended for age 3+

This age-appropriate work explores the value of a shelter. What is a home? What happens when you do not have one? Two charming characters wrestle to create their own homes until they come to realize that one of the great joys of having a home is sharing it.

Thumbelina

by Y York, inspired by the story by Hans Christian Andersen; first commissioned by Seattle Children's Theatre

· Friday April 7, 7 p.m.; Saturdays, April 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13 at 4:30 p.m.

· Sensory Friendly/Sign Interpreted Performance: May 13, 11 a.m.

· Recommended for age 5+

Based on the popular fairytale about a tiny girl born from a flower who ventures into a new world filled with wonder, this original telling of the story will use technology, puppets and original artwork to create a real time storybook before your eyes. In a world where the small becomes larger than life, the value of friendship, family and the power of a good story are the most powerful magic.

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