When “Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical” (based on his book) makes its Hawaii debut July 12 at Diamond Head Theatre, two cuties — both 10 years old — will alternate in the title role of Matilda Wormwood, a precocious 6-1/2-year-old with telekinetic skills, mean parents, a menacing headmistress at school and a challenging future.
Both girls are 10 years old and capable of playing a younger child because “they are small for their age, which contributed to their being cast as Matilda,” according to DHT’s artistic director John Rampage. And they prepped for weeks to bring “strong singing, dancing and acting abilities” to make their main stage debut, he said.
Caris Leong, a Punahou School student, has been a “Bright Kid” (mentored by the late Ronald Bright) and dancing since she was 3 at DHT, where she watched (from a playpen) her mom take dance classes till she was old enough to take classes en route to membership with Shooting Stars. She also has performed with Ohana Arts (“Mary Poppins”) and Punahou (tap-dancing with TapCo.).
Rockell Kim attends Waikele Elementary School and has been with PACK (Performing Arts Center at Kapolei) for three years and appeared in “The Lion King Jr.,” “Beauty and the Beast Jr.,” and “Once on This Island.” A Shooting Stars member for two years, she dances with Xpress Dance and takes voice lessons at LES Studios.
When “Matilda” premiered on Broadway in 2013, four young actresses rotated in the role and later earned an unprecedented Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre award, the only time a quartet has been so rewarded. So clearly, our two Matildas will be under pressure to carry on this ennobling tradition of achievement.
Christopher Obenchain has been tapped as Miss Agatha Trunchbull but also has a burden since the dynamics require that a he plays a she (this is musical comedy). Trunchbull’s hatred of children is contrasted by Matilda’s quest of dreaming for a better and happy life — the essence of an inspiring plot.
Obenchain is marking his 15th anniversary as a DHT actor, first seen as Cornelius Hackl in the 2004 production of “Hello, Dolly!” and last appearing as Danny in “Holiday Inn.”
Malia Munley is making her DHT bow as Miss Honey, a teacher who befriends the embattled Matilda.
The show now runs through Aug. 11 (with add-on shows), and ticket sales have been brisk at diamondheadtheatre.com. …
Hope and clarity
The church came to Blue Note Hawaii June 23 and a packed house of 300-plus experienced the vocal riches and robust performances in a spiritual and satisfying experience, never preachy or churchly. ‘Twas an outside-the-box triumph.
Marquee names, all members of New Hope Oahu’s worship ohana, included Ben and Maila (surnames Vegas and Gibson) and Mark Yamanaka (the 14-time Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner). This validated the mission to extend NHO’s reach, from the comfort of its Sand Island headquarters, to Waikiki’s premier showroom at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort.
Pastor-emcee John Tilton proclaimed, “This is us,” after an ensemble performance of the inspirational “This Is Me” (the anthem from “The Greatest Showman”) featuring soloist Melodie Kiriakos. New Hopers were the ideal messengers of hope and unity, of inclusion and diversity, to showcasing the power of faith in a mixed plate of tunes delivered by a bevy of singers, dancers and musicians.
Hallelujah!
The evening’s best moment was when Jana Alcain belted out the power ballad, “Never Enough,” another “Showman” signature, with pipes that elevated the lyrics to celestial status thanks to her soaring delivery. You may remember her as Fantine in “Les Miserables,” in the late Ronald Bright-directed musical at Paliku Theatre.
You may also have seen and heard her as an emcee at Disney’s Aulani resort, where another New Hope performer, Noni Slade (his wife is Malie, daughter of pastor Tilton) also is a featured emcee-singer in the luau show there.
With a mammoth cast, there were instances when restraint — the less-is-more theory — might have prevailed to minimize distractions and maximize focus. Still, the sheer energy was impressive, and a return visit seems inevitable. …
Honu at the Reef
“Rainbow of Colors,” an abbreviated show featuring “Honu by the Sea” characters, has taken residency at the Kani Ka Pila Grille of Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, according to show creator Johnson Enos.
The show, from 11:30 to 11:55 a.m., debuted June 15 and will continue Wednesdays and Saturdays through Aug. 14. Lauren Cabrera is Napua, the storyteller, and Kaimana Ramos plays Shaka the Crab (complete with costume with claws), and they share tunes from “Honu” including newbies “Splash,” a mele about paddling canoes and wayfaring, and a “Rainbow of Colors,” dealing with the spectrum of hues sung in Hawaiian, enabling kids to learn some Hawaiian terms.
Kelly Hoen, area manager of the Outrigger brand and Luana Maitland, cultural manager, have led the collaborative “green” message, advocated by the “Honu” plot, via the Outrigger’s Ozone vision/partnership.
“I’m very excited for ‘Honu’s’ message to be back in Waikiki,” said Enos, referring to an earlier summer residency at the Royal Hawaiian’s Monarch Room, where “Honu” was launched several years ago, skippered by Hoen, who was the general manager of the Royal Hawaiian then. …
Enos also is readying a trek to Japan, for a Honu-Hello Kitty family show. …
And that’s “Show Biz.”
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
