KA'IULANI Returns to Kumu Kahua Theatre Tonight

The 44th season at Kumu Kahua Theatre continues with a production originally premiered at Kumu Kahua in 1987.

Within the short life of Princess Ka'iulani is contained the sad, shameful story of the downfall of the Hawaiian Kingdom. She was sent to Europe to receive an education befitting her royalty, but during her absence, the monarchy was abrogated and she returned to Hawai'i a figurehead rather than a queen. Ka'iulani is a historical-musical-psychological drama complete with a Greek/Hawaiian chorus and a Hawaiian chanter.

The original production was directed by Kumu Kahua Theatre founding member and current Board Member Emeritus, Dennis Carroll. It was produced at several locations on O'ahu, Kaua'i, Maui and the Big Island. It was revived for another island tour the following year and then went on to tour in Edinburgh, Scotland; Washington, DC; and Los Angeles, California.

Karen Loebl Kaulana has acted in all of the productions of Ka'iulani, thus far, and will be in this current production. She has played Ka'iulani and now plays Princess Miriam Likelike.

"This has been life-changing because this was the first community theatre show I auditioned for and was cast in. I auditioned when I was 17 and -- because of the remounts and subsequent tours -- I played the role until I was 21! I was the first person in my family to go to another country, because of the international tour. Because of that process, I went to college and majored in theatre. This show shaped my life, basically."

"This time, 25 years later it's very exciting to step back into the show that shaped my life. It's powerful, new and different. I'm in a different role with a different director, but that mana -- that specialness is still there."

Tickets for performances can be purchased with a credit card by calling 536-4441, or by visiting our box office at 46 Merchant Street (corner of Bethel and Merchant Streets, downtown) between 11am and 3pm Monday through Friday. Tickets can also be purchased at kumukahua.org.

Directed by Harry Wong III, the show features Set Design by Justin Fragiao, Sound Design by Royce Okazaki, Costume Design by Jonathan Reyn, Set Paintings by Ted Uratani and Lighting Design by Cora Yamagata.

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

Young Ka'iulani.....Summer Royal

Victoria....Amanda Stone

Ka'iulani....Domina Hoffman

Ka'iulani of Part III...Danielle Zalopany

Mrs. Gardinier...Jaime Bradner

Judy/Jane...Brooke Reams

Princess Miriam Likelike...Karen Kaulana

HRH Queen Liliuokalani...Anne Lokomaika'i Lipscomb

Archibald Cleghorn/Theo Davies...Steven Royal

HRH King David Kalakaua...William Ha'o

Tom...Jason K. Ellinwood

Dick...Brandon DiPaola

Show dates: Thursday, Friday & Saturday 8pm: March 26, 27, 28; April 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 2015; Sundays 2pm: March 29; April 12, 19, *26, 2015 (No show Sunday, April 5 - Easter) *American Sign Language Interpretation upon request

Kumu Kahua productions are supported in part by The Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and Arts through appropriations from the Legislature of the State of Hawai'i and by the National Endowment for the Arts. They are also paid for in part by the taxpayers of the City & County of Honolulu; the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts; The Hawai'i Tourism Authority, McInerny Foundation (Bank of Hawaii, Trustee); Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) Charitable Foundation, The Atherton Foundation and Hawaiian Electric Company; The Star-Advertiser and other foundations, businesses and patrons.

Photo Credit: Denise de Guzman

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