Aloha all...

Just a reminder that Waimea Community Chorus will begin its 16th holiday season
with registration and rehearsal Tuesday evening, August 18th at St. James
Episcopal Church in Waimea.   New members of the chorus are always welcome, as
long as they can plan to reliably attend the rehearsals every Tuesday from 7 - 9
at the Church.   The fall season will lead to our 16th Annual Holiday Concerts
on December 11/12/13 at the Parker School Theatre in Waimea.

Our Director, Barbara Kopra, has already put together a complete and exciting
program for the show,  which will lean towards the traditional this year, but
with interesting and unusual selections that will add variety and zest to the
program.

Registration will begin at 6:45 pm at the Church; please enlist your friends if
you think they would enjoy the experience of singing with a great and friendly
group of people!

For those who don't already know... the church reversed the direction of the
surrounding driveway, so the "Entrance" is now on the Kawaihae side of the
Church, and you will exit on the Waimea side.  Be prepared and don't turn in the
wrong way and get unexpectedly cozy with some exiting vehicle!

Here is a great choral presentation of a pop song.    The choir begins by
simulating a rain storm!   Be sure to turn your volume up as it starts out
rather quietly.   You'll be surprised what song it is, considering it's a
Serbian choir!   http://videos.komando.com/2009/06/18/african-thunderstorm/ 
Maybe it will inspire you for the new choir season!

See you Tuesday evening....for more info contact Miguel at 938-3062

Aloha, Performing Arts Supporters!
If you haven't already experienced Waimea Community Theatre's "South Pacific",
you still have two more opportunites this weekend; Saturday and Sunday, August
15 and 16. Saturday night's performance begins at 7:30pm with the final matinee
show at 3:00pm on Sunday, both at Parker Theatre in Waimea.

Audiences and critics alike have been raving about this enthusiastic musical
which is packed with song favorites that you will find yourself humming long
after the show is over!

Ticket prices are $15/Adults;  $13/Seniors & Students;  $10/Kiddies
Tickets may be purchased in advance from cast members, or at Waimea General
Store.  Remember advance sale tickets for this production are discounted $2.00
per ticket... get yours now!  Come early for the best seats!  See you at the
show!!!   More information available at 938-3062 or 885-5818.

Aloha Theatre Friends on the Big Island... As part of Waimea Community Theatre's ongoing commitment to expanding the entertainment possibilities for North Hawaii Residents, we are partnering with KMF Entertainment in Kona to present a special evening of comedy theatre in Waimea -- ONE NIGHT ONLY -- on July 17, 2009 (this coming Friday, for the calendar-challenged!)  The show will be presented at Parker School Theatre at 7:30 pm.   Tickets for the comedy theatre night are $15 in advance/$20 at the door.  For general ticket information and reservations call 329-4ENT (329-4368).

Renowned comedian Ken Block will present his theatre night special, entitled "I Haven't Been Myself in Years" a one-man 100 voice stage revue in Waimea this weekend! Critically-acclaimed comic impressionist Ken Block takes you on a light-hearted journey through the past fifty tears of entertainment with his latest one-man / 100 voice show filled with your favorite movie stars, television celebrities, famous stage singers and comedians.

To see the poster for this event please go here. (depending on your browser, you may be able to click the link, or copy and paste it) http://www.waimeacommunitytheatre.org/KenBlockComedyNight.html  

A discount for the show is available to Waimea Community Theatre members and supporters. Read about it at the above link. (You must arrange for it in advance of the show.)

You can visit Ken's website to learn more about the comedian and his shows by going here: http://kenblock.net/

For more information about WCT and our sponsorship of this show, call 938-3062

On June 12, 13, and 14 forty-seven local performers will don fedoras, straw
hats, bonnets, and boas to celebrate the best of Broadway's Golden Age, the
magnificent musicals of the 1950's.  Beginning with a medley from Frank
Loesser's comic fable GUYS AND DOLLS and ending with selections from Jule Styne
and Steven Sondheim's tribute to vaudeville and burlesque, GYPSY, the 40-member
Waimea Community Chorus, five instrumentalists, and two actors will take
audiences on a spirited – and sentimental – journey through the fabulous decade.

Featured musicals will include THE KING AND I, PAINT YOUR WAGON, THE PAJAMA
GAME, PETER PAN, MY FAIR LADY, THE MUSIC MAN, WEST SIDE STORY, and THE SOUND OF
MUSIC.  Selections will range from well-known favorites "Everything's Coming Up
Roses," "Climb Every Mountain," and "Seventy-Six Trombones," to lesser-known
showstoppers "Steam Heat" and "Hernando's Hideaway."

At the heart of FABULOUS 50'S ON BROADWAY is Waimea Community Chorus, under the
direction of Barbara Kopra.  This season's ensemble consists of twelve sopranos,
thirteen altos, five tenors, five baritones, and four basses.  Most are Waimea
residents, although members do come from as far away as Pahoa.

Accompanying the Chorus – and adding that unmistakable Broadway pizzazz – will
be instrumentalists Everett Knowles (piano), Jo Gargiulo (drums), Sid Thompson
(bass guitar), Terry Warner (trombone), David Clausnitzer (trumpet), and Charlie
Peebles, (saxophone).

Actor/narrators Robyn Duquesne Fichter and Julie Barreto will complete the
entertainment.  As former musical theatre performers cleaning up the prop room
in an old theatre, they will reminisce about the standout shows they loved and
helped create.

Chorus and production director Kopra, who teaches performing arts at Hawaii
Preparatory Academy, holds a master's degree in music and voice from the
University of Oregon.  This is her fifth year leading the Chorus.

FABULOUS 50'S ON BROADWAY will be at Parker School Theatre in Waimea, Friday and
Saturday June 12 and 13th at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, June 14 at 3 PM.  Ticket
prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, $8 for children, and
may be purchased from a chorus member, from the Waimea General Store, or at the
door.  For information call 885-1818 or 938-3062.

Waimea Community Theatre presents the opening weekend of the hilarious comedy

"What the Butler Saw"

beginning this weekend, Friday, May 22
and continuing this Saturday, Sunday, and next weekend as well.....Friday and
Saturday performances begin at 7:30 pm
and Sunday matinees begin at 3:00 pm

*please note that this production contains mature themes and is not intended for
children*
Waimea Community Theatre will present Joe Orton's British farce, "What the
Butler Saw" beginning May 22, at the historic Parker Theatre in Waimea.  John
Sucke (who also directs this production) plays Dr. Prentice, the respectable
head of a psychiatric clinic with a not-so-respectable bent for seduction.  WCT
newcomer Renee Rudzinski plays Geraldine, a hapless would-be secretary, who
initially cooperates with Dr. Prentice's unorthodox interview techniques,
including a straightjacket. Confusion and mayhem ensue when Dr. Prentice's wife
(Anjalisa Aitken) decides to pop in unexpectedly at the office provoking a
frantic attempt by the good Doctor to hide evidence of his indiscretions from
her.   Meanwhile, Mrs. Prentice (whose own fondness for sex is matched only by
her fondness for gin) has herself already been drawn into a rendez-vous with a
hotel bellboy (Victor Pangan).    Enter Dr. Rance (Luke Aitken) a government
bureaucrat who is able to turn mere confusion into total chaos, and a police
sergeant (Bill Cruise) with his own agenda.   With a little cross-dressing and
ever-escalating zaniness thrown in, the audience soon becomes aware of "What the
Butler Saw"!

Ticket prices are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, and will be
available from Waimea General Store, from the cast, or at the door one-half hour
prior to performances.  (There is no price offered for children, as this
production is not recommended for youngsters.) More information can be obtained
by calling the Director, John Sucke, at 885-4495 or at the organization's
website www.waimeacommunitytheatre.org .  Waimea Community Theatre is a
non-profit organization that has been entertaining Big Island audiences for over
45 years.

Waimea Community Chorus will present its 15^th Annual Holiday Concert entitled "Tidings of Joy" on Friday, Saturday and Sunday December 19, 20 and 21, 2009 at the Parker School Theatre in central Waimea.  Friday and Saturday night concerts begin at 7:30 pm, while the Sunday Matinee will start at 3:00 pm.   The program for 2008 includes a wide variety of traditional and secular songs, with enduring favorites as well as new arrangements.   There will be carols during the show for audience participation.

Tickets are $12/Adults,  $10/Seniors or Students, and $8/Kiddies 10 and under.  Tickets are available at the door, but can be purchased in advance at Waimea General Store or from members of the cast.  Advanced purchased tickets are discounted $2.00/person.

Waimea Community Chorus is a 45-voice ensemble that has been entertaining North Hawaii since 1994.  It is directed by Barbara Kopra, and presents two concerts annually, a Christmas Concert in December and a Spring Concert in late May/early June.   The chorus is open to all adults and new members are sought each season.   Auditions are not required, but new members should be motivated, and able to reliably commit Tuesday evenings to rehearsals at St. James Church in Waimea.

The Spring season for WCC will begin with registration and rehearsal on January 20^th.  New participants can continue to join until February 3, and only with approval from the choirmistress thereafter.  Membership and music fees are involved; for more information please contact Waimea Community Chorus at 938-3062.

• Saturday, December 20th at 7:00 pm
• Sunday, December 21st at 3:00 pm

Hawaii Performing Arts Festival announces our 2009 Mid-Winter Mini-Festival, a series of concerts to be held February 11-15, 2009 in venues all around the Big Island.   Featured artists are British jazz sensation Liane Carroll (voted 2005 BBC Jazz Vocalist of the Year) and soprano Dauri Kennedy and pianist Val Underwood, performing a moving program of African American spirituals. 

 We will be announcing the details of the summer season…we've got some very exciting things coming your way.

 Please save the weekend!  The dates are February 11-15.  More information will be coming soon.

 We'll be happy to see all of our friends again and experience the music together!

 Genette Freeman, Executive Director

Aloha!!!!

Tis the Season:

This Thursday, November 20, 5:30 - 7:-00 pm at Tutu's House in Waimea,
we will be having our first get-together/audition/reading for this year's
presentation of the ever more relevant classic, "A Christmas Carol."

A Christmas Carol
The Classic by Charles Dickens; A Simplified Presentation
December 12, 13, 14,  2008

Hope to see you at the auditions!   Spread the word!

Aloha!  Vivian Rose Olen -  Director
Call me at 936-3934 for more information!

Auditions

If you're a fan of Neil Simon, you won't want to miss Waimea Community Theatre's production of "Brighton Beach Memoirs", opening November 14, and continuing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for two weekends thru November 23. Set in Brooklyn, New York's Brighton Beach in 1937, the semi-autobiographical coming-of-age comedy is the first play in what is known as Neil Simon's "Eugene Trilogy". ("Biloxi Blues" and "Broadway Bound" were the other two in the series). "Brighton Beach Memoirs" tells the story of Eugene Jerome, a 15-year-old boy who is just coming to terms with girls, his family, and life in general. The other characters in the small household include Eugene's older brother, Stanley, (whom Eugene idolizes), their parents Kate and Jack, as well as Kate's sister Blanche, and her two daughters, Nora (whom Eugene develops intimate feelings towards) and Laurie. Eugene experiences puberty, sexual awakening, and search for identity as he tries to deal with his family, and thus WCT recommends this play for mature audiences.

Auditions!

WAIMEA COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS

Neil Simons'

Brighton Beach Memoirs

Directed by Jennifer K. Hussong

Fourteen-year-old Eugene, the central character and narrator of the play, struggles to find his niche in life and within a large extended family that includes his parents, Kate and Jack; his brother, Stanley; his cousins Nora and Laurie; and his widowed Aunt Blanche.

Amongst the humor of BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, Neil Simon poses a serious question:

"How do you retain your morals and integrity in difficult economic times?"

Performances are scheduled from Friday, November 14th through Sunday November 23rd, 2008.

Friday & Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, Sunday Matinees at 3:00 pm

AUDITIONS:

Monday, September 15th, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Tuesday, September 16th,  5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Open auditions for "BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS" will be held at the Waimea Community Theatre office

and practice space located at 66-1250 Lalamilo Farm Road in central Waimea.

Roles:

Eugene, main character                     Kate, his mother
Jack, his father                              Blanche, his aunt

Stanley, his older brother                 Nora, his cousin

Laurie, his cousin

During auditions, scenes from the script will be provided to read from.

Actors should be prepared to commit to rehearsals 3-4 evenings per week initially, increasing to rehearsals every weeknight closer to the opening date (the play opens November 14th). Rehearsal schedules for different roles will vary, but all actors must be available for the last two weeks of rehearsals before the play opens.

Volunteers to provide assistance with set construction and painting are needed the weekend of November 8^th and 9^th.

Anyone interested in helping with costumes, props, lights, sound, or helping out backstage during performances  should contact the director as soon as possible.

For more information, call the director at: 885-7245

Come, join us!

Kâmau

Bare & Core Expression (BACE) will present a local Hawaii play titled "Kâmau" written by Alani Apio in August at Ulua Theatre in Volcano Village.  This production will be Bare & Core Expression's second theater production.  BACE strives to present diverse voices and expressions.  For its theater productions, it focuses on multicultural and local Hawaii plays.

The play tells a tragic story of a Hawaiian family who is torn between preserving the tradition and surviving in the modern world.  The play unfolds a story of an unfortunate family through three cousins.  The production features a group of talented local actors.  One of three cousins will be performed by a well-known actor, Jason Scott Lee.  Lee's acting career in films is well known to many.  He is the founder of the Ulua Theatre at Pu Mu.  At Pu Mu, conservation, fishing, farming, and reforestation is emphasized as well as the arts, to blend the aspects of conscious living, food as medicine, and the observation of nature in order to provide inspiration, education, and healing.

The main lead character, Alika, will be performed by Christian Pa, a recent graduate of Kamehameha School.  He performed in Kamehameha School's musical productions, including Jesus Christ Superstar.  This will be his first appearance in community theater productions.  Ron Serrao will also portray one of the cousins.  He has done numerous local Hawaii play performances on the Big Island as well as for Kumu Kahua Theatre on Oahu.  Some of his acting credits for TV series are "One West Waikiki" with Cheryl Ladd, and "Marker" with Richard Greico.  Other veteran actors in the show include Desiree Cruz, Laura Caswell, Susan McGovern, Angela Nakamura, Jay Robinson, and Kalani Spain who have been in many theater productions and performances on the Big Island.  This local premiere of Kamau is directed by Bonnie Kim, the founder and director of Bare & Core Expression. 

Alani Apio is a noted Hawaiian playwright, sculptor, and actor from the island of O'ahu. His plays Kamau and its sequel Kamau A'e tackle complex issues related to Hawaiian sovereignty and family relationships. Both plays were produced for the stage by the Kumu Kahua Theatre. He lives in Kailua on O`ahu and works as a community liaison for the Board of Water Supply and several private, local companies.  He's also on the board of Kanu Hawai`i, a non-profit group working to make Hawai`i the most economically resilient, environmentally sustainable and compassionate.

The performances are scheduled for August  14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 at 7:30pm at Ulua Theatre.  Advance ticket prices are $12 for general and $10 for students and seniors.  At the door, the ticket prices will be $15 for general and $10 for students and seniors.  Advance purchase tickets can be purchased at www.bareandcore.org, Basically Books, Keaau Natural Foods and Volcano Store.  Very limited seating is available at the theater.  The Ulua Theatre is located at 19-4325 Haunani Road in Volcano Village.  Due to strong language, the play is not appropriate for young children. 

More information can be found at www.bareandcore.org.  Or contact Bonnie Kim at 333-2730, email at artsforall-hawaii@...  Bare & Core Expression is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization whose mission is to provide opportunities where everyone can access arts to appreciate as well as to participate in the process of creativity through performances, workshops, exhibits, and arts education programs.

Aloha Theatre Buffs....

For those that enjoy a bit more direct input into their local theatre group......   Waimea Community Theatre will hold its annual general membership meeting on Saturday morning June 21, at 10:30 am, in its Waimea office.  The office is located in the Lalamilo Farm Lots warehouse across the street from Watanabe Floral, above the Tropical Dreams ice cream company.  It's the only substantial 2-story building on Lalamilo Farm Lots Rd.  The meeting will discuss the direction of Waimea Community Theatre and Chorus in general and be open to suggestions on future shows or any other subject.   The meeting will elect the Board of Directors for the coming year, and will feature light refreshments.  It's open to the public, including WCT members, and anyone who is interested in theatre in general and WCT in particular!   See you there!  

Hawaii Performing Arts Festival Returns For Fourth Season!

Aspiring young artists and renowned musical celebrities around over the world will gather on the Big Island for three weeks of music making next July.  The Opening Night Concert will be held at 7:30 pm on Thursday, July 10 at Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Waimea.  Admission is free.

In the days following, the festival will offer 14 additional concerts, ranging from oratorio to opera, and clarinets to cabaret.  Most concerts are held in the Waimea area, and most are free to the public.  The festival also offers master classes, day classes, one-day vocal workshops for young artists from Hawaii, string weekends, community outreach concerts and lectures about classical music.  A complete schedule of concerts and events is available at www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org.

Auditions Monday and Tuesday!!

Today's the last day you can catch Waimea Community Chorus' Fabulous Fifties Concert at Parker School Theatre in Waimea.   The Matinee performance is at 3:00 pm.   The concert features more than 25 selections of the greatest hits you recall from the 1950's, including such unforgettable tunes as "Unforgettable", "Love Me Tender", "When I Fall in Love", "Sh-Boom", "At the Hop", "Earth Angel", "Fever" and many more.

The 45-voice chorus is directed by Barbara Kopra and accompanied by a band composed of prominent local musicians including members of Ollie Olliphonics!  Fantastic music and great singing, recalling the great names of the 50's, like Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Peggy Lee, The Big Bopper and many others.  

Don't miss it!    $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and students.  3:00 pm at Parker School Theatre....  Be there or be square!

Audition Notice

PrinceDance will be holding auditions for upcoming theatrical production Saturday, May 24th at the Kahilu theatre in Waimea.

Must be able to Dance, act and/or sing. Come ready to dance and have prepared an a cappella song.

Compensated position that will require midweek interisland travel.

Must be 18 or over.

Bring Headshot and resume

Check in at 9:30 am at backstage door.

For more info email: amprince2000@...

Bare & Core Expression will present a special one day performance of
Super Secret Squad on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 2pm at Honoka'a
People's Theatre.  Super Secret Squad is a local pidgin black
comedy written by a famous local playwright, Lee Cataluna.  The
playwright, Lee Cataluna was born on Maui and raised in plantation
houses in Wailuku, Koloa and Ka'u. She graduated magna cum laude
from the University of the Pacific in Stockton California in 1988,
and in 1999, was named Distinguished Young Alumna. After working 10
years in local television and radio, she became a columnist for The
Honolulu Advertiser in 2000. She is a 2004 winner of the Cades Award
for Literature for her body of work, and served as the 2004-2005
Keables Chair at Iolani School. "Super Secret Squad" was
commissioned by Kumu Kahua Theatre in Honolulu and was first
produced there in 2002.  The play lampoons bureaucracy set on Oahu
and reveals the "Wendell conspiracy."  In the play 5 local college
students try to correct the wrong done by "Wendells" in very
comical ways.  The play also deals with some serious issues of
domestic violence.

The play is directed by Bonnie Kim and was premiered on the Big
Island in March at East Hawaii Cultural Center.  If you missed the
show in Hilo, don't miss this special performance at Honoka'a
People's Theatre.  Due to the language in the play, it is not
appropriate for young children.  The ticket prices for Honoka'a
show are $8 for general and $6 for students and seniors.  Advance
tickets can be purchased with credit card at www.bareandcore.org.
For more information, contact Bonnie Kim at 333-2730, email at
artsforall-hawaii@... or visit www.bareandcore.org.

Aloha friends.....

Big Island Dance Council, in conjunction with East Hawaii Cultural
Center and the Big Island Fringe Festival will present a fabulous
dance concert entitled "Dancing into Light" at Kahilu Theatre on
Sunday April 6th at 6:00 pm.  Only one performance in Waimea!  The
show features the works of some of the Big Island's leading
chreographers: Lynn Barre, Angel Prince, Annie Bunker, Malaika
Maphalala, Trina Nahm-Mijo and will include aerial dance, modern and
interpretive cultural selections, including several premieres.

Tickets for the show are available in advance (with a two dollar
discount) from the Waimea General Store in Parker Square, Waimea, as
well as at the Studio 7 Gallery in Holualoa.  Tickets at the door
are $23 for dance students and BIDC members, and $25 for general
admission. Ticket purchases are available via cash or check;
regrettably credit card purchases are not available for this show.

For further information, please call 938-3062.  BIDC is a non-profit
Hawaii corporation recognized as a 501(c)3 organization by the IRS.
Donations to BIDC are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.