December 2015 - Diamond Head Theatre

December 2015
Volume 101 • Issue 2
Inside This Issue
A Christmas Story1
Executive Director’s Message 2
Movers and Shakers:
A Christmas Story
Our Volunteer of the Year
3
20th Annual ‘Ilima Awards
6
Rhythm Is Gonna Get You!
7
A Winning Ticket
8
Now Playing
Behind the Scenes with Director
Malindi Fickle and Choreographer
Christine Yasunaga
M
aking its Hawaii debut at Diamond
Head Theatre this winter, A
Christmas Story follows 9-year-old
Ralphie’s yuletide quest to acquire a
coveted BB gun while dealing with school
bullies, double-dog dares and the trials
of everyday life in 1940s small-town
Indiana. Director Malindi Fickle and
Choreographer Christine Yasunaga say
they were more than ready to take on the
show’s holiday hijinks.
“I was incredibly humbled that John
and Deena entrusted me with DHT’s
Christmas show,” says Malindi. “That
alone was reason enough to embrace this
phenomenal opportunity. The challenge
of taking an iconic Christmas film and
shepherding the musical version to the
stage was intoxicating. I couldn’t imagine
anything more fun!”
“I always love the idea of doing a show
that will make its Hawaii debut,” adds
Dec. 4 - 23, 2015
Coming Soon
Christine. “I’ve also been a fan of the
movie—it’s such a fun holiday tradition.
I wasn’t familiar with the musical, so I
thought it would be a new discovery for
me to work on this show.”
DHT’s A Christmas Story couldn’t be
in better hands! And what a great opportunity for us to get to know more about
these two talented women.
Jan. 29 - Feb. 14, 2016
DHT: Malindi, why did you decide to
become a director?
Malindi: The most poignant way I can
think to answer that is to cite Peter
Bogdanovich’s Paper Moon. From that film
I grew to understand the incredible power
of narrative storytelling.
I saw it with my father, who at the time
was an extremely intense workaholic—a
very serious, stoic man. I was 9 years old,
and he woke me up on a school night to
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
March 25 - April 10, 2016
For Tickets
Call 808.733.0274 or visit
www.diamondheadtheatre.com
Aloha from DHT’s Executive Director
I
’m writing from New York City, where
John Rampage and I are leading
Diamond Head Theatre’s annual Broadway
Bound tour. It’s a wonderful time to be
here—deliciously crisp autumn weather,
the holiday season ramping up and, as
always, that New York buzz in the air.
I encourage everyone interested in
theatre and New York City to consider
joining us on our Broadway Bound tour
next year. It’s so much fun—and such a
great deal—that every year we have repeat
participants. This year we’ve got 6 repeats
out of the 20 who are with us! We’ll be
back in the Big Apple Nov. 10-16, 2016,
and hope to bring you along.
What do we do in New York? See
shows, of course! There’s nothing like
a full-scale Broadway production—the
staging, the costumes and the talent are all
a major wow.
But there’s a lot more here than shows,
and the trip structure is so flexible that
you’ve got time to try it all.
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Every day I run into members of our
group in the hotel lobby and ask them
what they’ve been up to, and it turns
out they’ve been everywhere: the 9/11
Memorial Museum, walking tours, restaurants, shopping, the New York Botanical
Garden in the Bronx (which I thought
was very adventurous) and even a hair
appointment at a signature salon!
One couple has been meaning to shop
for a winter jacket while they’re in New
York, but they just can’t seem to break
from other fun activities to stop over at
my recommended store, Uniqlo, only a
block from our hotel. Every day I ask
them, “Did you get the jacket yet?” And
the answer is, “No! We’ve just been too
busy!” I’ll be eager to hear if they ever
actually get the jacket. Luckily it’s not cold
enough to make it necessary!
Encore! is published by Diamond Head Theatre, 520 Makapuu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816.
Phone
(808)733-0277
Facsimile
(808)735-1250
Box Office
(808)733-0274
www.diamondheadtheatre.com
Writers
Editor
Graphic Designer
Coordinator
Mary Calantoc, Deena Dray,
Kathryn Mariko Lee
Stacy Pope
Bernie Kim
Mary Calantoc
Meanwhile, John and I are visiting
royalty houses to start planning our 20162017 season. It’s an exciting time—we
get to see what Broadway has to offer and
discuss availability with licensing people.
Then we determine how each show we’re
interested in would fit with Diamond
Head Theatre’s budget and creative
resources, as well as with our smaller
community’s talent pool.
By the time you read this, we’ll be back
in Hawaii and already looking forward
to next year’s Broadway Bound. We hope
you’ll join in! Meanwhile, our warmest
wishes to you as we celebrate the holiday
season together here at home.
Our Mission Statement
Established in 1915, Diamond Head Theatre is
the Broadway of the Pacific, producing the best live
community theatre entertainment and advancing
the theatre arts through education in Hawaii.
Volunteer of the Year
Our Mahalo to Paul Goto, a Star Performer
V
olunteers are special people who
take time out of their busy day
to lend a hand and spread a little joy.
Without volunteers at Diamond Head
Theatre, we wouldn’t be the same!
We’re pleased to present our wonderful 2015 Volunteer of the Year,
Paul Goto. Whether it’s backstage,
behind a camera or hauling 40-lb.
bags of ice at the ‘Ilima Awards, Paul
is a hardworking and loyal member of
our family. Forever humble, he prefers
to stay out of the spotlight—but let’s
shine a little light on him now as this
year’s Star Volunteer.
DHT: How long have you been
volunteering at DHT and how did
it start?
Paul: I’ve been volunteering at DHT
since 2011. After my daughter Rylie
was cast in the children’s ensemble
for The King And I, I was so grateful
for the wonderful experiences she
was blessed with and the new friends
our family made that I wanted to give
back in as many ways that I could.
My first volunteer role was
producing a behind-the-scenes video
for The King And I as a gift for the
cast and crew, and it debuted at the
closing party. I’ve since donated my
services as a professional videographer on many projects for DHT,
including behind-the-scenes videos
for main-stage shows, videos for the
Shooting Stars and their families,
and even videos used in main-stage
productions.
Since 2013 I’ve also been the lead
clean up/strike crew for opening
nights along with other Stars parent
volunteers, and in charge of the Bar/
Beverage/Ice Committee for the
‘Ilima Awards.
DHT: What keeps you going?
Paul: I feel that by supporting the
arts—especially live theatre—I’m
helping to
sustain a very
special gift,
because the
theatre sparks
creativity and
innovation in all
of us. When you
experience the
performances of
the actors on stage or smile as they
sing and dance to a live orchestra, you
become part of a shared experience.
It’s magical.
DHT: What’s the most fulfilling aspect
of volunteering at DHT for you?
Paul: The sense of inclusion. I may
not grace the stage and bask in the
glow of the footlights, or sing and
dance joyfully to standing ovations,
but by doing my small, behind-thescenes work, I become a part of the
community theatre family. I feel extremely grateful for all the wonderful
experiences that DHT has provided
my children and the many friendships
nurtured throughout the years as a
result of being involved with DHT.
DHT: Is there any volunteer job you
haven’t done that you secretly want
to do?
Paul: My secret goal is to be able to
crew a show for its entire run. I’d love
to be truly vested in a production,
yet still be in the shadows. I think I’d
really like to experience the bonding
between the cast and crew firsthand,
feel the excitement of a “call to places”
and the satisfaction of a job well done
at “final bows and curtain” time.
Bravo, Paul, for all you do for us.
And we’ll put in a good word with
the crew recruiter for our next show
on your behalf—maybe you’ll get
your wish!
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CONTINUED FROM PG. 1
4
ask if I wanted to watch a movie with
him. We ate popcorn, drank lemonade
and tuned in to our tiny black-andwhite TV together.
After the film was over, he talked to
me about it. The inherent struggles of
hard economic times, the relationship
between Moses and Addie, and
that Ryan and Tatum O’Neal were
father and daughter. He explained
why certain parts were funny, what
other parts meant. Why narrative
storytelling was significant. Why
history was significant. But what I
understood most at the time was that
him waking me up and wanting to be
with me was significant. He used that
film to connect with me.
Film and theatre are both extraordinary, powerful mediums. They have the
ability to inspire us, change us, move
us. Connect us to ourselves and to the
people and world around us. I believe
the primary role of a director is to
illuminate a story’s narrative thread—
which is not only specific to the events
of the play, but also highlights nuances
of the human condition. Helping to
shine a light on what is common to us
all is why I became a director.
DHT: Christine, why did you decide
to become a choreographer?
Christine: I actually had never aspired
to be a choreographer. After John
Rampage’s many attempts to get me
to choreograph, however, I finally
agreed. Becoming a dance teacher and
choreographer seems to be the natural
path after being a professional dancer
for so many years. And I really enjoyed
the creative process, ever since my first
show at DHT.
Choreography tends to come to
me during the oddest times—like
when I’m stuck in traffic, watching
my daughter’s basketball game or
even in my sleep. I try to have paper
and pencil with me wherever I am so
that I can write down my ideas before
I forget them.
During the rehearsal process,
choreographing can be really exhausting and frustrating as an artist.
However, once it comes to life and
I see the cast enjoying dancing, my
heart fills. It’s so gratifying.
My Broadway experience influenced the performer, teacher and
choreographer that I am today. The
amount of respect and professionalism
expected on Broadway is what I expect
here locally, too. I tell my casts that I
will push them to give their best, and I
know they’ll rise to the challenge.
We have a lot of talent here—and,
more than that, we have performers
with heart. I encourage them to support each other, help each other and
create a fun, respectful environment.
A good friend of mine once told
me that you do community theatre
because you love your community.
I believe this is really true here at
Diamond Head Theatre.
DHT: What other projects have you
both worked on besides A Christmas
Story?
Malindi: Earlier this fall I directed
Thomas Mann’s Criminally Dumb
in New York City. Other directorial
NYC stage credits include the world
premiere of Danny O’Brien’s Savior
and Voices Of The Storm.
As an independent filmmaker,
my documentary feature By The
People was critically acclaimed by
the New York Times, Time Out NY,
New York Magazine and Film Journal
International, and it was broadcast
nationally on PBS. It also won a Hugo
award.
My first narrative feature, Suck It
Up Buttercup, won 17 awards, including Best Director, Best Feature and the
Alan Bailey Award for Excellence in
Independent Filmmaking on the indie
film festival circuit last year. It was
released by Indican Pictures Dec. 1.
Christine: At DHT I have choreographed Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Guys
And Dolls, Legally Blonde and Catch
Me If You Can. At Iolani I did South
Pacific, Seussical Jr., Shrek Jr., Anything
Goes, Godspell and Into The Woods. At
Punahou I did Aladdin Jr. I’ll also be
choreographing The Lion King Jr., 13,
Urinetown and Sweet Charity at Iolani.
DHT: If you could direct/choreograph another show at DHT, what
would it be?
Malindi: I love musicals that are powerful, push boundaries and take people
out of their comfort zones. Shows
like Rent, Hedwig And The Angry Inch
and Spring Awakening not only wow
audiences through incredible music,
but also challenge their thinking about
what’s “normal.” That being said, there’s
nothing better than a great production
of a classic.
Christine: The Lion King, naturally!
Time to celebrate...it’s (still) our 100th Anniversary!
And what a marvelous century it’s been. Over the last 100
years, we have mounted 678 shows and entertained over
2 million patrons. We have also been able to provide arts
education to our youth and adult community - today offering
over 100 performing arts classes year round.
We are able to do this through the generosity of our donors.
Individual gifts are a big part of the $850,000 we must raise
each year. Our shows and classes all exist only because of
your generosity.
Please consider a gift this year, so we can continue to entertain island families for the next 100 years.
Here are three easy ways to support Diamond Head Theatre:
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Mail completed forms to:
Diamond Head Theatre AFD
520 Makapuu Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96816
or
Visit www.diamondheadtheatre.com
To make your gift securely online
or
Charge your contribution
by phone at 733-0277 x315
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5
20th Annual ‘Ilima Awards
T
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his year marks the 20th anniversary of Diamond Head
Theatre’s annual fundraiser, the ‘Ilima Awards, held in
partnership with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. And, as we
had hoped, the Oct. 12 event was simply magical.
The day had begun with clouds and rain, but by late
afternoon the skies had cleared. The celebration commenced
with a champagne toast just in time for a stunning sunset
view from the theatre’s lanai.
The ‘Ilima Awards honors Hawaii’s top chefs, as voted
on by the newspaper’s readers and restaurant critics.
Restaurant chefs and owners received their awards in a
song-and-dance extravaganza that gave them a taste of life
on the stage—and that earned cheers and laughter from
the appreciative audience.
Photos courtesy Nadine Kam, Lea Almanza and Elisia Flores
Following the show, guests moved to the beautifully
transformed theatre grounds for gourmet tastings from the
award-winning restaurants along with fine wines, martinis,
micro-brewed beer, music, dancing and mingling. The evening
was seamless, and everyone was well fed and well entertained.
As ticket sales for our shows cover less than 45 percent
of theatre operations, the ‘Ilima Awards plays a big role in
supporting the many wonderful productions and educational
programs Diamond Head Theatre has been providing for
our community for more than 100 years. Thanks to the hard
work of a team of volunteer committee members and staff,
this year’s event was a huge success.
Mark your calendars for the 21st Annual ‘Ilima Awards
on Oct. 10, 2016!
Rhythm Is Gonna Get You!
After Years in the Dance Floor Wings,
Carol Ai May Taps to the Beat
C
arol Ai May has wanted to
learn to tap dance since she
was a teenager. When she was 19
years old, a girl in her college dorm
taught her a tap number during a
break while they were studying for
an exam. “I’ve remembered those
steps my entire life,” Carol says, “and
always thought it would be fun to
really learn to tap dance.”
After watching tap dancing in
the movies and on the stage for
years, Carol decided that now was
finally the time to start tap lessons
herself. She called Deena, who
directed her to Mary Calantoc,
Diamond Head Theatre’s education
manager. Mary consulted with John
to determine the class that would
be the perfect fit and found it: Tap
for Musical Theatre, Level I. Carol
enrolled and immediately began
recruiting friends to join in.
In January, she and six of her
friends began tap lessons. Carol
says that her motive to recruit
so many friends for the class was
purely selfish: “I thought I might
be the oldest person in the class!”
Instructor Annie Motteler was
immediately impressed with Carol
and her crew. “They all had little or
no previous experience,” she says,
“but tons of enthusiasm.” Since
first joining the class, Carol has
recruited 11 friends, and some of
them are still tapping alongside her.
After recently completing her
fourth tap session, Carol shows
no sign of stopping anytime soon.
When asked what she likes about
it, she says, “Everyone in the class
is smiling the time! What’s not to
love?” She also enjoys the added
benefit of exercise. “It’s not exactly
a surprise, but dancing is great for
mental and physical health,” she
notes. “It helps with balance and
coordination.”
She encourages anyone toying
with the idea of tap to give it a
chance. She also admits that her fear
of being the oldest in the class was
wrong—it turns out there’s a mix of
women and men of all ages. “And it’s
a great way to start the morning and
the weekend,” she adds.
Carol’s story is a wonderful
example of someone who’s finally
accomplishing something they’ve
always wanted to do. Diamond
Head Theatre offers dance classes
for adults of all ages: jazz, flamenco,
ballet and three different types of
tap class. Which is on your bucket
list?
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A Winning Ticket
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C
ongratulations to DHT subscriber Diane Smith! Each year
all our new subscribers are entered for the chance to win a
trip to Las Vegas, provided by Vacations Hawaii. Our Box Office
staff draws the ticket, and Diane was this year’s lucky winner.
Here she is, pictured with Vacations Hawaii Sales & Promotions
Manager Kevin Kaneshiro. Happy travels!