Run like greased lightning to get your tickets for Maui OnStage’s “Grease”

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Performances run February 24 through March 11; Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm / Sundays at 3pm;  Iao Theater (68 N. Market St., Wailuku); $15/$22/$40

Guest directed and choreographed by Brian Swasey from New York, and produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

“Grease” book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.

Tickets available at If The Shoe Fits (Wailuku) and Lava Java (Kihei) or through the Maui OnStage box office (by calling 808-242-6969 or online at mauionstage.com).

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Photos by Jack Grace. Top (L-R): Jonna Ahan and Lia Krieg. Bottom (LR): Lia Krieg and Jonna Ahan.

THIS WEEK’S PICKS:

“IN MATTERS OF STYLE SWIM WITH THE CURRENT; IN MATTERS OF PRINCIPLE, STAND LIKE A ROCK”  (Thomas Jefferson)

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MON., NOV 14 – Every second Monday of the month there’s a free show at the historic Iao Theater. MauiOnstage (i.e. the theater’s nonprofit stewards) call it “ONO!” not only because free theater’s delicious, but because it’s a handy acronym for “one night only.” This month features Joel Agnew’s original comedy, The Rock of Ages, featuring Agnew, Genie Calagna, Jerry Eiting, Chino LaForge, Jackie Shea, Jessica Tolman, Hana Valle and Tim Wolfe. As Agnew explains, the story follows a caveman who hits his head on a rock (note: “rock” is the only word he knows), and is preserved for 12,000 years until he’s discovered by New York City sewer workers under Madison Square Garden. The workers–plus a couple of ditzy groupies–think he’s a stoned and very lost rock musician and proceed to lead him backstage to the concert; hilarity ensues and so on. (PS: The evening also includes a performance by local folk singer Nevius.) Free. 6pm doors / 6:30pm show. Iao Theater (68 N. Market St., Wailuku), 242-8680; mauionstage.com

Miller, Miller On The Wall

>>> Maui OnStage presents All My Sons — an ONO! (one night only) production
>>> (Monday) August 8, 6:30pm
>>> Iao Theater, Wailuku; free
>>> 808-242-6969; mauionstage.com

Thanks to his mother’s alert reading, playwright Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman; The Crucible) based his 1947 play All My Sons on an Ohio newspaper’s reportage of a woman who’d informed the government that her own father had sold botched mechanical parts to the U.S. military during World War II. All My Sons was soon staged on Broadway (and ran for 328 shows), won Tony awards for Best Play and Best Direction of a Play, and was adapted for the silver screen in 1948 and 1987. However, the play’s criticism of our nation’s ethos landed Miller on the Hollywood blacklist during the Red Scare. (Are you humming the Pink Floyd lyrics, “Mother, should I trust the government / Mother, do you think they’ll try to break my balls”? I am!)

This Monday (August 8), catch a live reading of Miller’s All My Sons, part of the Maui OnStage’s monthly ONO! (one night only) productions at the Iao Theater. “This classic 1940s drama about ethics versus survival” features fine thespians like 
Don Carlson, Jerry Eiting, Michael Pulliam, Jennifer Rose, Chris Rose, Jackie Shea and Barbara Sedano — and finer still is that the whole shebang is free (though donations to help keep the theater’s lights on are both needed and welcomed).

Free Screening: “All That Jazz” (1979)

Friday (June 17), 7:30pm doors / 8pm show, Iao Theater, Wailuku; free

A semi-autobiographical musical by director Bob Fosse, inspired by the melee of simultaneously producing his film Lenny and Broadway production Chicago. Starring Roy Scheider (as Joe Gideon, a womanizing druggie dancer), Ann Reinking and Jessica Lang. Rated R. 808-242-6969; mauionstage.com

[READ MORE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_That_Jazz]

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[More from Maui Onstage...]

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Free ONO (One Night Only) Show: “Eight Weeks” by Mauian David Michaels — TONIGHT!

Monday (June 13), 6:30pm, Iao Theater, Wailuku; free

A special reading of a new screenplay about a middle-aged man who achieves incredible success only to learn he has terminal cancer. 808-242-6969; mauionstage.com

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Coming Soon: Maui OnStage Auditions – “The Garden of BE” by Mauian Tess Cartwright

Monday (June 20), 6-10pm (by appointment), Iao Theater, Wailuku; free

Folks of any age, body type, vocal ability and level of experience are welcome to audition for The Garden of BE, written by Mauian Tess Cartwright and directed by Steven Dascoulias. Scheduled to run September 23 through October 2. Please prepare an uptempo song and character monologue (less than four minutes, combined), as well as a headshot and resume. Call to schedule and appointment. 808-242-8680; mauionstage.com

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Tickets On Sale: Maui OnStage Presents “Chicago”

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, July 8 -31, 7:30pm Fridays & Saturdays / 3pm Sunday matinees, Iao Theater, Wailuku, $15-$40

The hottest on-isle musical of the summer commeth! Ticket sales begin Wednesday, June 8. It’s sure to be a sell-out show, so go get your tickets quick, OK? Purchase tickets at If The Shoe Fits (Wailuku), Lava Java (Kihei) or through the Maui OnStage box office. 808-242-6969; mauionstage.com

A good-sized crowd gathers outside the ‘Iao Theater, ahead of the haunted house’s opening.

Friday night’s 6pm show sold out quickly, but a slew of performance times remain.

Alexis and Randall, manning a colorful box office.

Moaning zombies shuffling about outside, early-on eliciting screams (and a few photos) with waiting keiki.

Sent from my iPhone

Posted via email from anuyagi’s posterous

CAUGHT IN A CELLULOID JAM

Slip into a pair of thigh-highs and snap the clasps on your garter belt, it’s time again for the ‘Iao Theater’s annual free screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, TONIGHT! Following Wailuku First Friday festivities (happy 20th birthday, Requests!), head to the theater to get in line by 8:00pm (when doors open) as it’s sure to be packed — and Maui OnStage is under strict mandate to cap off attendees at 375. (And how often do you get to scream “asshole” and “slut” repeatedly, with a chorus of 374 backing you?)

Read last year’s blog post HERE, for the general scoops.

Note: The Rocky Horror Picture Show is rated “R” for language and adult situations. Both the film and it’s audience participation is not appropriate for children.

As for what else is new this year (other than needing to be there early), the theater will be selling ($10, a fundraiser) party packs jammed with squirt guns, bubbles, rubber gloves, noisemakers and whatnots, to help you prepare for audience participation (see below).

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION LINKS / TIPS

A Virgin’s Guide: Tips for First Timers (from the official The Rocky Horror Picture Show fan site)

Dance Instructions – How to do the Time Warp (from the official The Rocky Horror Picture Show fan site)

What to Bring: (please, no confetti or rice); newspapers (MauiTime, of course); water guns, candles/lighters/flashlights, rubber gloves, noisemakers, toilet paper, toast, party hats, bells, playing cards… Are you thinking, “That’s #random?” Just bring the props, and you’ll know when to use ‘em!*

MAUI CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS

Yesterday, my good friend and I went on an excursion to Savers, Kahului to try to find something to wear to Rocky. I found a few neat things — like square-cut short dress entirely sequined, and a Jessica Rabbit-esque dress with an impossible slit and vintage faux diamond straps — but they wanted $15 a piece for them. (Helloo? What about the “save” in Savers?) So, I ended up with a $3 pair of red fishnet stockings, just so I could have something Rockyish to wear; but I did happily snag a few Maui celeb sightings (and hugs!), while at that popular Maui thrift store.

Kanoa (whose widely-beloved band Gomega will be playing at Requests 20th birthday shindig… see above) and the lovely Jessica Lewis (whose stage name, somewhat ironically, is Jessica Rabbitt), were shopping in pursuits of Rocky costumes, and Celtic rocker extraordinaire Murray (and Mrs.) Thorne were also there, completing their son’s Halloween ensemble. All of those fine folks were incredibly generous in sharing their talent at the recent Zeptember concert at Mulligans on the Blue, so it was a wonderfully warm opportunity to get to see them and again say thanks (BTW, I paid off my MMMC bill just today, thanks to their efforts. Sweet relief of mine!) And, appositely, Alexis Dascoulias, executive director of Maui OnStage was in line, acquiring the final touches for the theater’s big show tonight.

* Behind the Curtain: I consider myself a semi-organized hoarder (emphasis on semi), and I keep ticket stubs bits of otherwise garbage tacked to my office wall in chronological order — the lazy woman’s scrapbook — as a record of my exploits. So, from last year’s Rocky screening, I’ve got a nice little plastic baggy filled with rice, multi-colored boa feathers, playing cards, a Jack Daniels liquor bottle label, and even someone’s lost black lace glove — and I can’t wait to fill another baggy this year! That said, Alexis told me that last year, it was such a pain in the butt to clean up, they’d considered never doing the screening again. So, on your way out from tonight’s show, help out by picking up your area, and further help ensure we’ll have Rocky showings for years to come.

Theater-loving Mauians are spoilt for choice this summer. If the artsy Market St. scene is your thing, head to Gallerie Ha for a special performance of WARGATE. Sponsored by the Maui Live Poets Society (MLPS), poet/actor Wide Garcia will perform his original–and satirical–two-act monologue recreating World War II nostalgia. Guests are invited to share their own original art, music or spoken word with a WWII theme, dress up for the ’40s costume contest, and boogie to big band beats [Fri (July 16), 7pm, donations to MLPS accepted, 51 N. Market St., Wailuku, 244-3993, gallerieha.com]. Also on Market St., at the historic ‘Iao Theater, Maui OnStage presents their second weekend of The Wedding Singer, the musical. Featured in last week’s Arts & Entertainment, it’s a spunky stage rendition of the rom com flick made popular by Drew Barrymore, and friend of the paper, Adam Sandler [Fri & Sat , 7:30pm, $40/$20 and Sun, 3pm, (through Aug 1), $15, 68 N. Market St., Wailuku, 242-6969, mauionstage.com]. Wedding Singer may be the last of the ‘Iao’s ’09-’10 season, but more is in store. Maui OnStage has announced an open audition for Arsenic and Old Lace, the show slated to kick off the new season, in October. Interested? Call to make an appointment, prepare a comedic monologue, bring along a current headshot and resume, and be ready cold-read the script [Wed (July 21), 6-9pm, 68 N. Market St., Wailuku, 242-8680]  (more…)

Meanwhile, South Pacific celebrates its finale weekend. The Maui Academy of Performing Arts presents this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic at the Maui Tropical Plantation, under a ceiling of stars. Bring blankets or low chairs for lawn seating, and come hungry–Bruddah Willy’s Sticky Ribs and a full bar available before showtime [Thurs, Fri & Sat (July 15-17), 7:30pm, $18-$25, 1670 Honoapiilani Hwy., Waikapu; 244-8760, mauiacademy.org] On the West side, Theater Theater Maui presents Follow That Rabbit, an updated version of Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland. It’s the summer-long culmination of 42 hardworking keiki, who’ve studied the art of acting under director Kristi Scott [Fri, 10am & 7pm, Sat 7pm, Sun 3pm (July 16-18), $10 adults / $5 keiki, Westin Maui Restort & Spa, Ka'anapali, 808-661-1168]. Too, at the Hyatt’s Maui Moon Theater, are the colorful acrobatics of Cirque Polynesia–a show which offers year-round kama’aina specials and deals for keiki [Mon - Saturday, 6pm, 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Ka'anapali, 667-4540]. And if you simply can’t get enough funny, there’s plenty of comedy to be had. The island improv of The Comedy Hui features fast-paced games, musical numbers and a slew of wacky characters [Fri (July 16), 7pm, $22 adult / $11 keiki, McCoy Studio Theater, MACC, 242-7469, www.mauiarts.org]. Plus, check out this week’s Arts & Entertainment for the nitty gritty on the Tin Can Comedy‘s championships, where not only can you win cash, and a chance to open for Augie T in September, but the pupus are free and the beer is cheap [every Tues through Aug 31, 9pm, Mulligan's on the Blue, Wailea, 874-1131].

nutritionresearchcenter.org

Alexis Dascoulias, Maui OnStage director, describes Maui Onstage’s latest project, the production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” as ‘broccoli’ theater.  Maui On-Stage is not trying to make the audience fall out of their seats, but rather to continue to nourish the meaningful conversation that this play originally inspired.  This play reminds that only 50 years ago, black Americans could not vote in some states, while today we proudly support our first African-American president.  If you haven’t read “To Kill a Mockingbird” since middle-school, it may be time hit the refresh button on this timely, beautiful, and clever story.  Scout Finch and Jem are played by a real brother-and-sister team, Marley and Zeb Mehring, with Don Carlson as Atticus Finch.  The novel is by Harper Lee, dramatized by Christopher Sergel, and directed by Alexis Dascoulias. There are plenty of opportunities to get that serving of veggies… To Kill a Mockingbird plays Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Sunday matinees at 3 PM from March 5th-21st at the Historic Iao Theater.  Tickets are $15-18.  Call the Iao theater Box Office for tickets: 244-6969. By: Sierra Brown

Embarrassing childhood photo for your entertainment...

The most impressive dramatic role of all time? “Yeah, I’m playing the omnipotent voice of God…” Then again, I’m easily impressed, as my theater career has consisted of playing Dead Woman #3 in “Our Town,” as well as Violet Beuregarde in Seabury Hall Middle School’s production of “Charlie in the Chocolate Factory.”

No matter what role you play, if you’re a seasoned professional or first-timer, participating in a theater production is usually a great way to learn to laugh good-naturedly at yourself and others, have good, clean fun, overcome stage fright, and fill up your house with the roses you receive after the show. Maui OnStage is offering this fun, exciting experience now… AUDITION FOR GODSPELL!

Press Release: “Maui OnStage will be holding auditions for the biblical rock musical
Godspell on Sunday, February 14th starting at 4:00 at the Iao Theater in
Wailuku. Production team: Alexis Dascoulias (director), Alexander
Cardinalli (choreographer) and Steven Dascoulias (musical director)
encourage all ages, types, and experience levels to audition.

Godspell is a rock musical version of the gospel according to St. Mtthew.
The show debuted on Broadway in 1976 after a five year off-Broadway run. It
was conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak with music and
lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked & Pippin)

Prepare one verse and chorus of a contemporary musical theater or pop rock
song for auditions. Please bring sheet music, head shot and resume to
auditions. Auditions and callbacks will be on the same day and will consist
of prepared song, other singing, movement, readings and improvisation.
Audition schedule is as follows:
4:00 ­ 5:30 auditions by appointment (singing)
5:30 ­ 7:00 dance call for everyone who auditions
7:00 ­ 9:00 callbacks for readings, singing and improvisation

Godspell will run for three weekends from April 30 ­ May 16 at the historic
Iao Theater with some special outreach performances. For more information
or to set up an audition appointment, please call 244-8680 or visit MauiOnStage”

By: Sierra Brown