‘The Mikado’ gets keiki makeover

The names change as the years go by but human nature stays the same. W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan wrote "The Mikado" in 1884 as a satire of contemporary England and set the story in the imaginary Japanese town of Titipu so they could make fun of English society more freely.

The duo’s comic opera story of mistaken identities, convoluted relationships, ridiculous laws, pompous politicians and the comic misadventures of characters named Nanki-Poo, Pitti-Sing, Peep-Bo, Yum-Yum, Pish-Tush and Pooh-Bah has been entertaining audiences of all ages ever since.

Hawaii Opera Theatre and the Hawaii Theatre Center are sharing it with a new generation of Hawaii keiki on Nov. 6 with a "kid-friendly" interactive one-act Opera Express production at Hawaii Theatre.

Kids will have two opportunities to sing along with the performers, and five lucky audience volunteers will be brought on stage to help tell the story.

Sheet music for the two sing-along songs and an informative 43-page study guide and activity book are available for free at www.hawaiitheatre.com.

John Berger, Star-Advertiser

Kaimuki High gives life to Kipling’s animal tales

Kids are naturally curious about the world around them and there are times when a fanciful explanation can be satisfying entertainment. Take English author Rudyard Kipling, who spun whimsical yarns about why certain well-known animals look the way they do in his famed children’s book, "Just So Stories," more than 100 years ago.

Kaimuki High School Performing Arts Center presents its version of three Kipling stories — "How the Whale Got His Throat," "The Elephant’s Child" and "The Beginning of Armadillos" — in "Just So Storytime."

Expect colorful cross-cultural entertainment with cast members portraying various animals while they also voice and manipulate puppets inspired by Chinese, Indonesian and Indian theatrical traditions.

Young kids will enjoy the actors’ performances. Older children may be inspired to find a copy of Kipling’s original "Just So Stories" as well.

John Berger, Star-Advertiser

Shichigosan celebrates growing boys and girls

Reservations are now being accepted for Shichigosan, a traditional Japanese ceremony celebrated by boys, ages 3 and 5, and girls, ages 3 and 7.

Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha-Hawaii Dazaifu Tenmangu is offering a blessing and complimentary kimono dressing to perpetuate the tradition from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 24.

Shichigosan is said to have originated in the Heian Period (794-1185) among court nobles to celebrate the passage of children into middle childhood. The ages 3, 5 and 7, considered lucky in Japanese numerology, are traditional milestones in the Shinto tradition. In November, children dressed in kimono typically visit a Shinto shrine to report their healthy development and receive divine blessings.

Participants will also receive a candy bag, omamori amulets and a gift. Parents may take photos on the shrine grounds after the ceremony.

A donation of $50 is requested for the blessing, and $10 for the Kimono Preservation Fund.

Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha-Hawaii Dazaifu Tenmangu is at 1239 Olomea St. For reservations, call 841-4755, email kotohira@hawaiiantel.net or visit e-shrine.org

Nina Wu, Star-Advertiser