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Theater on Maui
Stage Performance Shines on Maui
After living in New York City for several years, home to some of the best theater entertainment in the world, then moving to Maui (very happily) ten years ago, I was fairly skeptical about what I might see here on our small, country island in regard to theater.
I learned quickly my skepticism was unwarranted. A few years ago, my girlfriend and I ventured out beyond our tennis, beach, and work-a-day lives, and found ourselves very pleasantly surprised by the level of production and local talent of all experience levels Maui has to offer.
From the legendary musicians that come to perform at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center (MACC), at Fleetwood's, Charley's, the Hard Rock Cafe, or even Mulligan's to a mix of professional shows in Lahaina such as 'Ulalena at the Maui Theater, and Warren and Annabelle's Magic on Front Street; to the community-driven theater companies that inspire, Maui Onstage at the Iao Theater, Pro Arts Playhouse in Kihei, and Maui Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) at the Steppingstone Playhouse (and other venues), working on the spirit that “two boards for a stage, and a passion” is sometimes the only requirement to produce great theater.
The largest venue and most well-known for visiting professional musicians, actors, visual artists, as well as other artistic disciplines, is the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, located near the Kahului Harbor, and next to the University of Hawaii, Maui College. The MACC, as it is affectionately known by local residents, is a multifaceted facility with several performance spaces, indoors and out.
Whatever you are hoping to see, from the visual arts to dance theater to film presentations to rock acts, the MAAC has it, and it will be world-class. The Castle Theater, a gorgeous, multi-tiered theater, is the principal performance space, and has been host to renowned musicians Jake Shimabukoro, Elvis Costello, Bruno Mars, Chris Isaak, Jackson Browne, Melissa Etheridge, Graham Nash and David Crosby, and the legendary Tony Bennett; comedians Bill Cosby, Margaret Cho, and Bill Maher as well as our own local Hawaii musical legends Willie K., The Brothers Cazimero, and Keali'i Reichel;
Outdoors, the largest performance space is under the Yokiuchi Pavillion in the A & B Amphitheater. Sit under the stars, a light tropical breeze blowing, palm trees swaying in the moonlight, and enjoy one of your favorite bands/musicians perform, the likes of none other than Prince, Elton John, The Eagles, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Sting, Bob Dylan, B.B. King, Pearl Jam, Santana, or The Who, to name a few who have performed here.
The MACC also features the smaller McCoy Theater, a black-box style theater, which hosts other outstanding artists of many disciplines in a more intimate setting. The Castle and McCoy Theaters continue to host movie screenings participating in the Maui Film Festival in June and the winter holidays, exceptional dance performances, and dramatic theater performances such as “Mark Twain Tonight” starring Hal Holbrook, and “Les Miserables, a MAPA production.
The events and facilities at the MACC are more than I can list here, but please check their website at www.mauiarts.org for all events' show dates, times, and tickets. Check their calendar now, there is something to enjoy nearly every night, and you will not be disappointed.
However, it is not only the MACC that offers dynamic performances on Maui, the local, community-driven theaters are presenting consistently impressive theatrical productions as well, and should not be over-looked. Much of the island is still buzzing about the spectacular summer presentation of Victor Hugo's “Les Miserables”, produced by MAPA, cast with an extremely talented mix of professional and local performers on the MACC's Castle Theater stage. The overall production quality and presentation, from the sets to the lighting design to the fantastic singing voices on stage, would rival that of many regional professional touring companies. It was a sold-out performance the night we saw it, and the audience was thoroughly captivated by the wonderful performances throughout. “
Although this was a special and rare opportunity to perform at the MACC, MAPA stages most of their productions in the Queen Kaahamanu Center, in their black-box style Steppingstone Playhouse Theater (recent productions include “Macbeth” and “Man of La Mancha”), and a summer production outdoors on the slopes of the west Maui Mountains at Maui's Tropical Plantation outdoor stage (exceptional shows in years past have been the classic musicals,“South Pacific,” and “Damn Yankees.”) If you are here in the summer months, make sure you plan to see one of the outdoor shows, the show will be entertaining and the setting is spectacular! For more information on MAPA's current and upcoming shows, auditions, or academy, go to http://www.mauiacademy.org/future.asp.
The longest-standing theater on island, and a favorite to many locals, is the historic and legendary Iao Theater in Wailuku, which opened in 1928, and upon whose boards the likes of Bob Hope, Donald O'Connor, and Frank Sinatra, have entertained the troops for the USO during World War II. More recently, Maui OnStage has managed the theater and proven to be prolific producers of some of the best theater on Maui. From classic Broadway musical productions to cutting-edge original acts to one-night-only staged readings (free ONO nights once a month), there are many evenings of theater to be enjoyed as an audience member, or as an actor on stage.
Anyone who has ever acted on Maui past or present, has likely trod the boards of the Iao at some time in their career. Maui audiences have been wowed by previous productions of “Chicago, the Musical,” “Rent,” and the American classic, “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
Furthermore, MauiOnStage has taken the lead locally in supporting and introducing new playwrights, producing the Maui Fringe Festival each year (January 31-February 2, 2014), a three day marathon of original one act plays by playwrights from all over the country. Hopefully some day we will speak of the next Sam Shepard, Tennessee Williams, or Jonathan Larson, having fueled their start at the Maui Fringe Festival.
Whether you are a happy audience member, or seasoned veteran of the stage, or someone who has long dreamed of being an actor and decide to audition for the first time, MauiOnstage at the Iao Theater provides the opportunity. The 2013-2014 season of shows includes the comedy “Love, Sex, and the IRS,” “Scrooged, The Musical,” and the story of Helen Keller in “The Miracle Worker, and,” and “Legally Blonde, The Musical.” Please go to www.mauionstage.com or call (808) 244-8680 for show dates, times and tickets! Do yourself a favor, go see a show at this legendary theater!
In 2006, Maui embraced another local theater company in Kihei, the ProArts Playhouse, located at the Azeka Shopping Center Makai. ProArts is a company which has quickly gained a name for drawing some of the best actors on island, producing thoroughly enjoyable, very entertaining theater,, and performing it in a non-traditional space, providing audience members with a first-rate theater experience up-close and personal. ProArts Playhouse is a valuable addition to Maui theater because they introduce Maui audiences to shows that may not be readily familiar, yet are highly entertaining, eclectic, sometimes quirky, fantastical, and with a great sense of humor, as previous seasons have produced some favorite shows as “The Fantasticks,” “Urinetown, The Musical,” “Greater Tuna” and “The Mousetrap,” interspersed on occasion with intriguing dramas such as, “Doubt” and “Driving Miss Daisy.” The upcoming season promises more fun with the shows “Bermuda Avenue Triangle,” and the Tony Award winning play, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” ProArts is also actively inspiring young theater artists with Kamp Krazy Tales, a one week camp held for keiki ages 5-12, immersing the youngsters in the magic of theater with musical and dramatic training. For details on show times, tickets, and camp information, please go to www.proartspacific.com or call the theater at (808) 463-6550. Book early as shows sell out regularly!
As you can see, there are many good reasons and opportunities to rinse the sand off every once in awhile, change out of your snorkeling and wind-surfing gear, and go see some terrific music or theater by our local residents and traveling artists. These are only a few favorite recommendations of mine. There are also many smaller clubs and bars hosting local and visiting musicians every night. That's for another article, or you can do some easy research on the web, starting with the bars and restaurants I mention in the first paragraph. Over the years, I have come to be not just a happy audience member, but a true supporter and participant in the local Maui theater scene. I hope you will too.
