December 2012 - Diamond Head Theatre

December 2012
Volume 98 • Issue 1
Tiny
Dancers
DHT’s Ballet & Tap
for Young Dancers
DHT’s green room is aflutter with eager
four-year-olds. Hair’s being brushed up
into buns, girls are twirling in brand-new
ballet skirts, ballet shoes are being adjusted
and excitement hangs in the air. Then, off
they skip to their first Diamond Head
Theatre performing arts class, beginning
an education that may one day lead them
to DHT’s main stage. (In fact, some of our
Annie “orphans” started out in this same
class!)
Natalie Uehara—“Ms. Uehara” to
her protégés—has been leading DHT’s
Friday afternoon Ballet & Tap for Young
Dancers classes for three seasons, ushering
tiny students into the wonderful world of
dance. Natalie is also the dance director
and resident choreographer at the Castle
Performing Arts Center and on the dance
faculty at both DHT and Punahou’s Dance
School. In college, her concentration was
Dance Education, preparing her with a
wealth of knowledge on how to best teach
dance to children. Her DHT classes
introduce kids ages four to seven to danceclass etiquette, basic ballet technique and
basic tap steps while helping them develop
coordination, rhythm, musicality and a love
of dance. The 45-minute sessions alternate
each week between ballet and tap and are
grouped by age into three classes: fouryear-olds, five-year-olds and six- to sevenyear-olds.
Natalie begins every class in a circle,
talking with students for several minutes
to get to know them and letting them get
to know each other. Then, after warming
up and stretching in the circle, it’s time to
stand and face the mirror.
On ballet weeks, practice starts with
what Natalie calls ballet “seeds”: basic ballet
positions and steps. For the older students,
this gradually moves to the barre. Tap
weeks are a little noisier, as practice starts
with “getting to know our tap shoes”—or
using toe taps and heel taps in different
ways. Students then perform across-theCONTINUED ON PAGE 5
Inside This Issue
Tiny Dancers
1
A Look Back in Time
2
Executive Director’s Message 2
More Than a Funny Girl
3
‘Ilima Awards 2012
4
Calling All Canines!
6
In the Spotlight
7
Take a Bow
8
Now Playing
December 7 - 30
Coming Soon
February 1 - 17
For Tickets
Call 808.733.0274 or visit
www.diamondheadtheatre.com
A Look
Back
in Time
Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat
I
2
t was big news across Honolulu
in 1996 when our then newly
appointed artistic director, John
Rampage, announced that Diamond
Head Theatre would be staging
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Our announcement followed a
sudden cancelation of the national tour
of the show, which had been scheduled
for Blaisdell Concert Hall. National
tours were a rare treat back then, so
excitement had been running high.
Plus, the production company had
recruited four local children’s choirs to
perform.
Disappointed fans, especially the
kids in the choirs, had prompted us to
approach the New York royalty house,
which held the rights, to see if we
could produce it. When they gave us
Aloha from DHT’s
Executive Director
I write this as I’m winging my way
home from DHT’s Broadway Bound
Tour. Twenty-six of us journeyed to
the Big Apple to see the sights, tour
museums, eat in fabulous restaurants
and, of course, go to the shows.
Which ones caught our fancy? Well,
we really liked Nice Work If You Can
Get It with Kelli O’Hara and Matthew
Broderick. Once was another favorite,
as was Newsies. Most of us couldn’t
get into The Book of Mormon, but we
did get to see Evita, which featured
a graduate of our DHT Shooting
Stars program, Aleks Pevec. When the
curtain came up and Aleks appeared
front and center, John Rampage and
I felt like proud parents. He was just
terrific.
the green light, we slotted the show in
place of another in our spring season
and began to prepare.
Choirs were contacted, and three of
the four previously recruited for the
national show signed on to perform in
our production. (One of these troupes,
the ShowKidz, eventually evolved into
the DHT Shooting Stars!) Laurence
Paxton was secured as the director of
the show, with Andrew Sakaguchi as
choreographer and Emmett Yoshioka
as musical director. All, by the way, are
still actively involved with DHT today.
Auditions took place in January.
New York actor Matthew Pedersen,
who had moved with his local wife
to Hawaii, won the role of Joseph.
Talented local performers filled out
the rest of the roles, including Yvonne
Filius, who played the Narrator, and
Don Nahaku, who played the Pharoah.
Four months later, opening night
arrived and anxiety was high. Would
DHT’s production live up to the
national-tour hype? It did! As a matter
of fact, it was a smash hit—especially
good news for us, as the theatre had
experienced some financial challenges
in the season prior. The production
kicked off a climb back up for DHT,
and subscribers and patrons returned
strong in the years that followed. All
thanks to a show with the title song,
“Any Dream Will Do.”
After the show, Aleks and other
members of the cast treated us to
a talkback. It was inspiring to hear
how he made it to Broadway after
graduating from UCLA. No doubt
the journey took
determination,
and Aleks had
plenty of that. But
most impressive
was that he’d
resolved not to
move to NYC
without a job—
and he stuck
firmly to his plan.
That led to countless trips from LA to
NYC for auditions, all while working at
a gym, saving his money and performing
here and there. When Broadway finally
called, Aleks was ready.
Now, I’m not saying DHT was
responsible for this admirable and
well-executed game plan (I give full
credit to his two lovely parents!),
but being in an arts program like the
Shooting Stars does require discipline,
focus and planning. The performing
arts isn’t just song and dance. It can
develop kids in ways that are of benefit
in any endeavor.
Know a kid who might want to
take a spin around the DHT dance
floor? Registration for our winter class
session is right around the corner. You
never know what a difference it could
make, or where it could take them.
Warmest wishes for the holidays.
More Than a
Funny Girl
Meet Local Girl Isabelle Decauwert,
Guest Star of DHT’s Funny Girl
D
HT artistic director John Rampage caught up with
Funny Girl’s in-demand Isabelle Decauwert for an
inside peek into life on Broadway and beyond.
John: Izzy, it’s such a pleasure to have you back on the DHT
stage. What have you been doing since you last performed with
us eight years ago?
Izzy: Mahalo, John—it’s great to be back at DHT! Since
Romance/Romance, I’ve spent all my time working as a
hairdresser on Broadway. It’s something I got into when I
was touring 16 years ago and it’s allowed me to always work
in theatre even when I’m not onstage. I love it. Working
backstage gives me a
unique perspective
on what an actor goes
through having to “sell
it” eight times a week.
It also opens your
eyes as far as realizing
that when you’re onstage, there are a lot of people working behind the scenes to
make a show happen. Everybody works hard. I’ve worked on
Hairspray, The Lion King, Spiderman, A Little Night Music,
Billy Elliot, Phantom of the Opera, War Horse and Hair.
John: Many actresses shy away from taking on the role of
Fanny Brice because of its close association with Barbra Streisand. Did that intimidate you in any way?
Izzy: A little. I knew I wanted to make the role of Fanny
about Fanny—and not about Ms. Streisand. I did a lot of
research on Ms. Brice before rehearsals and only watched the
film version once. I think that’s where any revival of a show
can fail: trying to imitate the previous version. I’ve seen revivals of shows that didn’t do well because the performers were
trying to do the previous performers’ “bits.” It never works.
That’s what I love so much about theatre: Every revival of a
theatrical production is a chance to do something new with
it. The only thing that really made me nervous was singing
“People.” That song is so connected with Ms. Streisand, I
knew I had to focus more on storytelling rather than how I
sang it. I asked Ms. Bernadette Peters once why she was so
great at song interpretation. She told me, “I just let the song
Isabelle Decauwert and John Rampage
tell me what to do.” So that’s what I did. I hope it worked!
John: Playing Fanny must be exhausting; not only vocally and
emotionally, but also making 16 costume changes. What did
you do to make it through a Saturday matinee and evening
performance?
Izzy: Coffee, a lot of high-protein foods, not speaking until
four hours before the show and sleep!
John: You’ve played some wonderful musical roles in Honolulu
and on tour all over the U.S. Any roles that you haven’t done
yet that you have your eye on for the future?
Izzy: I’d love to do Shirley Valentine again. I did that when
I was 28, and I’d love to have another go at it now that I’m
more age appropriate.
John: You’ve had the opportunity to work with some very talented, but very young, performers in Funny Girl. Any advice
you can give young people who might be considering a career in
theatre?
Izzy: Find another career you’re good at that can pay the
bills! Acting is all freelance, and for every one role, there are
hundreds of actors that are right for it. I always encourage
other actors to try to get work as a backstage technician. It
keeps you humble and it pays the bills!
John: What plans do you have after you leave us and return to
New York?
Izzy: I’m currently a “swing” hairdresser (like an understudy
or sub for the full-time backstage hairdresser) at Spiderman,
Phantom and Lion King. Also, back to auditioning!
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
Deena Dray, John Rampage,
Lauren Lee and KC Malner
Editor Stacy Pope
Graphic Designer Bernie Kim
Coordinator Lauren Lee
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 Hawai‘i.
3
‘Ilima Awards 2012
I
4
t was another fabulous, soldout evening at Diamond Head
Theatre as we presented the
Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s ‘Ilima
Awards on October 8. The event
raised over $200,000, which
will help support our theatrical
productions as well as our
education and volunteer programs.
The evening began with a
revue that included parodies of
the restaurants and full-scale
production numbers. Needless
to say, the audience roared with
delight at the antics on stage.
Bravo to John Rampage and the
wonderful cast, which included our
own Broadway star, Loretta Ables
Sayre.
Following the show, the 500plus patrons spilled onto the
theatre grounds, which had been
transformed into a glittering
outdoor ballroom with fine wines,
ice-cold martinis, micro-brewed
beers and samplings from the
award-winning restaurants. There
was music, dancing and plenty of
mingling.
Our raffle featured three exciting
and sought-after travel packages,
which helped us raise the most
raffle money to date: $12,000!
Mahalo nui loa to Alaska Airlines,
Hawaiian Airlines and United
Airlines, as well as Sheraton Hotels
in Chicago, San Francisco and New
York City.
As the last notes of the band
filtered through the air and
contented patrons meandered up
to the parking lot, we all took a
deep breath—relieved that the
weather held out and grateful for
the wonderful support we have here
in our community.
Hope to see everyone back in
2013. Mark your calendars for
October 14!
Peter and Liz Stone, Warren Stone, Karen Dyas, and Indru and Gulab Watumull
Linda Woo (far left) and Dave Kennedy (far right) are the bookends at a fun-looking table
Dr. Darrell Lee, wife Cathy Lee (center) and daughter Nicki gather with guests
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Wendell Wo gathers his guests for a photo with Deena Dray
Darah, Dana and Denby Dung
Randy and Joey Harris, and Gail and Colbert Matsumoto
Tricia Marciel, Emmett Yoshioka and Samantha Stoltzfus
floor combinations—ballet runs and chassés one week, toe/
heel and slap/heel tap combinations the next. Then the class
focuses on a bit of choreography. Each ends with rounds of
goodbyes and stickers to reward hard work.
The class structure and routines help students become
more comfortable each week, and soon they want try to new
things. The younger ones, shy at first, gradually blossom.
And the older students, some of whom Natalie has been
teaching since they were four, really begin shaping their
skills. As they grow, they develop a strong basic background
that enables them to enter the more advanced classes DHT’s
Performing Arts Program has to offer.
Parents are welcome to observe the classes, and student
assistant Jayla Wakabayashi is always close at hand. “I think
I tie about five pairs of shoes a
week,” she says, but loves that
her role “helps me to develop my
skills of working with kids and
helping others.” Before heading
off to college, Jayla’s sister Kami,
whose “passion in life is to teach
performing arts,” assisted as
well. Both girls agree that the
best part of working with “Baby
Ballet” (as it is affectionately
known around the theatre) is,
as Kami explains, “watching the
children walk into class with
such passion and enthusiasm to want to learn and get better
each week.”
Six months ago, when Natalie gave birth to her son Kobe,
she stopped to reflect on what she wanted to continue
doing with her life. Then she realized: “I didn’t want to stop
teaching the kids,” she says. She enjoys getting to know all
her students and watching them grow. And, after teaching
high-school-age dancers all week, Natalie says that “it warms
my heart” to see the little ones every Friday at DHT.
Natalie and Jayla will continue to shepherd our tiny
dancers at our theatre. And, they welcome your eager
youngsters to the upcoming winter session of Ballet & Tap
for Young Dancers, which begins this January.
5
Calling All Canines!
Finding the Perfect Sandy for Annie
T
6
he “dog days of summer” meant more than just the
weather here at DHT several weeks ago (although
it was super hot and muggy), as we held doggie
auditions for our upcoming holiday show, Annie (opening
December 7).
In the story, Sandy is a stray dog discovered by Annie after
she escapes from the orphanage and the clutches of mean ol’
Miss Hannigan. Having a real dog is a key element in the
show and certainly adds to its heart-warming appeal—so we
posted the unusual audition notice. We needed a mediumsized dog, preferably of a sandy color, and we landed eight
“candidates” that more or less fit the bill.
Wendy Mah of Sirius Puppy Training was here to help Annie
director Rob Duval and DHT artistic director John Rampage
make the final selection. The dogs were put through their
paces: commands, stop and go, etc. The audience of onlookers,
including the dogs’ owners, DHT staff and the two girls we cast
to play Annie, clapped and cheered as each dog showed his or
her stuff.
In the end, we chose two dogs—one for each Annie. Our
furry new friends, Phoebe and Bailey, will now need to learn to
respond to the name Sandy! It was a difficult choice, as all DHT
auditions are, but we all felt we found the top dogs. Woof!
In the
Spotlight
Meet Members of Our Board
Diamond Head Theatre is honored to have 40
community leaders and theatre buffs serving
on our Board of Directors. We would like to
introduce several of these special individuals
to you and thank the entire board for their
enthusiastic support.
Sisi Takaki
Board Member
On the Board
Five months
Occupation
Sales/Marketing
Manager at
Hawktree
International
First Job
Salesperson at The Gap, in 1988
Last Book Read
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick
Lencioni
Favorite Travel Destination
New York City
Favorite DHT Moment
I attended my first ‘Ilima Awards dinner
seven months pregnant with my first son.
I walked around to all the food stations
and loved the concept of having dinner
and a show right at my fingertips. Growing
up in New York City and dining out on
a fantastic meal after the theatre was
something that I always treasured with my
family, and I loved that the ‘Ilima Awards
dinner replicated that experience.
Kelly J. Steiner
Board Member
On the Board
Three months
Occupation
RN; I’m not
currently working,
but I specialized in
intensive (critical)
care nursing
First Job
Cashier at a grocery store in Wisconsin
while in high school
Last Book Read
Mick Jagger by Philip Norman
Favorite Travel Destination
Europe, especially Italy and France
Favorite DHT Moment
The recent ‘Ilima Awards fundraiser,
because I had Izzy (Isabelle Decauwert)
staying at my house while she performed
in Funny Girl, and she was in the ‘Ilima
Awards show. It was the first time I
attended the dinner as a board member,
and I won the raffle prize trip to Chicago!
My husband, son and I are planning to use
the trip in December to attend a Green Bay
Packers vs. Chicago Bears football game.
Mike Wright
Board Member
On the Board
About a month
Occupation
Executive Vice
President, A&B
Properties, Inc.
(Alexander and
Baldwin)
First Job
Paperboy
Last Book Read
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
Favorite Travel Destination
Anywhere there are waves
Favorite DHT Moment
The ‘Ilima Awards fundraiser dinner
7
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
520 Makapuu Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816
8
Take a Bow
Volunteer of the Year
Mike Browning
D
edicated father, committed
volunteer, accomplished
business owner—these are
just a few ways to describe Diamond
Head Theatre
volunteer Mike
Browning.
Around here,
Mike’s also known
as “Papa Mike” or
“Brittany’s Dad,”
and now he’ll
have one more title: Diamond Head
Theatre’s 2012 Volunteer of the Year.
Mike’s involvement with DHT
began in 2010 when his daughter,
Brittany, was cast as Jo in Little Women.
Mike had always been a coach for
his two boys; wanting to support his
only daughter and be a good dad, he
volunteered to work backstage at our
HONOLULU, HAWAII
PERMIT NO. 260
theatre as a deck crewman.
Little did he know what he was
getting involved in—nor did he expect
to get instructions from his daughter!
During one performance, Mike was
responsible for setting down a chest
for Brittany to use as a prop. When
Brittany went to open it, it was
backward. After the show she gave
her dad a little talk, saying, “You need
to be focused on what you’re doing.
Everybody’s relying on you. I’m relying
on you.” From then on there were
no more prop mishaps, and as Mike
proudly says, “What I do onstage I
learned from Brittany.”
Although Brittany’s now off at
college, Mike continues to volunteer
backstage in addition to running
his successful telecommunications
company, Pacific DirectConnect. He’s
become a sought-after deck volunteer
and “papa” figure to the cast and
crew—always willing to help others,
shuttle people to and from the theatre
and help with set repairs. Everyone
appreciates his positive attitude and
calming presence—especially as we lead
up to our opening nights!
Mike has even progressed to a bit
of onstage work as well. You may have
caught a glimpse of him in his coveralls
during Singin’ in the Rain, when the
crew was visible as part of the show.
He’s also been coming up with ideas
to help his fellow deck crew work their
magic behind the scenes, often making
intricate set changes in the dark.
What does he like most about
volunteering at DHT? He says it’s both
the people and being part of a well-oiled
machine. He’s learned firsthand that
the arts require the same dedication,
teamwork and problem-solving skills as
sports. And with his daughter’s—and
now his—love for theatre, Mike has
become passionate about the arts in
general, looking for ways to increase his
community support. Diamond Head
Theatre is proud to have Mike on our
team of devoted volunteers.