Talk about busy: Kip Wilborn, the singer-actor-director, is the interim theater director at Windward Community Theatre’s Paliku Theatre, since Tom Holowach’s February departure. He’s also conducting the orchestra for Manoa Valley Theatre’s island premiere of the Broadway musical, “Allegiance,” opening Thursday at the Hawaii Theatre.
“My initial attraction to ‘Allegiance’ was from listening to Dwight (Martin, the theater’s producing director), talk about it, “said Wilborn. “I’d rarely seen him as animated about a potential production, and certainly not a musical. He asked me to music-direct.”
Wilborn hadn’t seen the Broadway original but caught its filmed version; he took in the Los Angeles production. “My take-away is that the live show is much more powerful.”
The musical drama, based on true-life memories of actor George Takei about Asians wrongfully incarcerated during World War II, “features great tunes, and Jay Kuo who shares authorship with Mark Acito and Lorenzo Thione) used specific music to denote specific characters, reinforcing our attachment to melodies,” Wilborn said. “The one advantage to the public not being familiar with the show is bringing this story and music to an audience without prejudice.”
DARK AND HISTORIC
The show telegraphs a message that’s clear “but representative of more universal truths … that there is the possibility of redemption from our mistakes. And I hope our audience takes away some additional clarity about this dark period in our history but also the hope that there are good things we can all embrace.”
To secure a cast, he went beyond Hawaii. “We saw Ethan Le Phong (Young Sammy) in the L.A. production (staged by the East-West Players) and his performance was fantastic. He let us know of his interest and it was hard to pass up,” said Wilborn. “Also in the L.A. production was Sharline Liu (Mrs. Natsumi Tanaka), a consummate professional who knows the show inside and out. As far as Kathleen Stuart (Nurse Hannah Campbell), many have seen her in the Bright Foundation (I’m a Bright Kid Foundation) production of ‘The King and I.’ She owned the show — again, someone hard to pass up.”
Kristian Lei as Kei Mimura heads a local cast that includes Dann Seki (Sam Kimura, Ojii-Chan), Brad Yamamoto (Tatsuo Kimura), Devon Nekoba (Mike Masaoka) and Miguel Cadoy III (Frankie Suzuki).
Paul Mitri is directing,Christine Yasunaga is choreographing.
THE TEXAS TAKE
Growing up in West Texas, “there was maybe a paragraph in our social studies text on the internment,” Wilborn said. “I really had no idea what had really happened. Since then, I’ve come to realize what a tragedy it was.”
Which is more gratifying, being onstage or in the director’s chair?
“More than once, I’ve thought how rewarding it would be to be onstage but I’m having a ball preparing this wonderful cast and orchestra,” said Wilborn. “When you’re onstage, you have your part, your scenes, then you exit the action. Conducting the orchestra and stage, I get to experience the whole show, and I’ve got to say, that’s thrilling.”
THE HAWAII ANGLE
For Hawaii audiences, “Allegiance” will recall the wartime encampment at Honouliluli on the ewa plain, a future national monument proclaimed by President Barack Obama. “I really hope that shining a light on this story will inform our audience in Hawaii, and audiences in other cities where it is produced, to remember the mistakes made by America so that they’re not repeated,” he said.
“Allegiance” has selected playdates through April 7; curtain is 7 p.m. for night shows, 2 p.m. for matinees. Tickets: $35-$75, at 528-0506 or hawaiitheatre.com. Information: MVT at 988-6131.
What else is on Wilborn’s radar?
“Shari Lynn and I are collaborating on ‘Mining for Cole’ (about Cole Porter and his music) at TAG (The Actors’ Group) opening June 4,” he said. Further, Wilborn continues to operate his private voice studio and serves as vice president of the MVT board. …
And that’s “Show Biz.”
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
