Encore! Upcoming Family-Friendly Shows at Hawaii Theatres

Our local theatres have great line ups for all ages this season.

August 22, 2014

Christi Young,

Honolulu Theatre for Youth Photo: Brad Goda

It’s always exciting the day your little one actually sits through an entire movie (I’m still waiting). But live theatre offers a whole new experience for entertainment. The energy of an orchestra and a cast of actors bringing a story to life right in front of you cannot be matched. And, as someone who spent some years in drama programs can contest, every performance comes with unexpected moments.

Introducing your child, and even yourself, to the world of live entertainment is easier than ever, thanks to the family-friendly slate of shows being offered by local theatre companies this season. See our picks then enter to win a family-pack of tickets to one of these fun shows.

A Bollywood Robin Hood, Now – Sept. 20

Honolulu Theatre for Youth. Tenney Theatre at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Square

Ages: 5 and up

Run time: 65 minutes

When it’s a Honolulu Theatre for Youth show, it’s guaranteed to be kid friendly and educational. To kick off HTY’s 60th season, HTY’s corp of professional, adult company actors present the traditional story of Robin Hood incorporating the eye-catching glitz of Bollywood. Alvin Chan, one of HTY’s actors, updated the storyline, adding laughs, traditional Indian dance and fun audience interaction.

Tickets: Adults, $20. Children 3-18, $10. 60+, $15. Purchase individual tickets or season tickets, prices ranging from $55-$100 online. Win it!

Parent tips: HTY always adds show-related resources for teachers on its website. But even parents can benefit from the activities, related books and talking points included in the packet.

The Addams Family, Sept. 4 – 21

Manoa Valley Theatre, 2833 East Manoa Rd.

Ages: 10 and up

Run time: Estimated at 2 hours and 35 minutes, including intermission

Remember Morticia, Gomez, Wednesday and Pugsley? The Addams Family is back in musical form. This time, Wednesday is all grown up and has fallen in love with someone who is, er, normal. So what happens with the parents get together for dinner?

Tickets: Adult, $39; Military and seniors, $34; 25 and under, $20. No lap seating allowed. Keep in mind if you arrive late, you will have to wait until intermission to be seated. Buy tickets online now or enter to Win it!

Parent tip: There is only one afternoon performance. Sunday, Sept. 21 at 4 p.m.

Hawaii Theatre Photo: Kaveh Kardan

Eddie ‘Wen Go, Sept. 19 & 20

Hawaii Theatre, 1130 Bethel St.

Ages: Preschool to 6th grade

Run time: About an hour

The legend of Eddie Aikau is told through the eyes of a humpback whale who witnessed the canoe’s accident. The whale, Tutuwahine, is played by a stunning 24-foot-long puppet animated by UH dancers. Kids will learn about Aikau’s heroism through the story woven by Tutuwahine, a pidgin-speaking shark, a vain sea turtle and a bird all set to original music performed live by the composer, Danny Carvalho.

Tickets: General, $10; students 17 years and older, military and seniors with ID, $7; Kids 4-17 years, $5. Kids under 4 are free. Buy tickets online now or enter to Win it!

Parent tip: Before the curtain goes up, read the children’s book that inspired the show Eddie Wen’ Go, The Story of the Upside-Down Canoe by Marion Lyman-Mersereau, the only female crew member onboard when the Hokulea capsized in 1978.

Mary Poppins, Sept. 26 – Oct. 12

Diamond Head Theatre, 520 Makapuu Ave.

Ages: 5+

Run time: Most shows run about two to two-and-a-half hours including intermission.

The Hawaii premier of this classic musical takes us to England in the early 1900s where a magical nanny brings a family closer together. Follow Jane, Michael and Mary through favorite songs such as “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”.

Tickets: Sales start Monday, August 25. Prices start at $15. Kids under 18, students, military and seniors receive $3 off seats in Section A & B. Every person must have their own seat. Buy tickets online or enter to Win it!

Parent tip: Want your children to learn more from the cast and crew? DHT’s “Talk Back” discussion will follow the performance on Sunday, Oct. 5. You don’t have to attend this specific performance to participate.

Ku A Mo’o, Oct. 17 – Nov. 8

Honolulu Theatre for Youth. Tenney Theatre at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Square

Ages: 8 and up

Run time: About an hour

Another world premier, this original show is a collaboration with the Bishop Museum and tells the story of a Hawaiian girl who is looking into the secret of her family’s history. You’ll also learn about the Mo’o, the lizard-like guardians of old Hawaii.

Tickets: Adults, $20; Children 3-18, $10; 60+, $15. Buy online now!

Parent tips: Give your kids a little more stage time at HTY’s ON STAGE workshop. Kids will have a chance to go backstage, perform a bit and interact with HTY’s actors and creative team.

Photos (left to right): Hawaii Theatre, Kennedy Theatre, Hawaii Theatre

The Pirates of Penzance, Nov. 5

Hawaii Theatre, 1130 Bethel St.

Ages: Grades K-8

Run time: About an hour

This classic operetta gets a slight makeover for a younger audience with Hawaii Opera Theatre’s Opera Express show. Gilbert and Sullivan’s show about a boy who accidentally ended up growing up with pirates is turned into a kid-focused, interactive performance. You’ll find witty banter, fun songs and a humorous lesson about leap years.

Tickets: General, $10; students 17 years and older, military and seniors with ID, $7; Kids 4-17 years, $5. Kids under 4 are free. Buy tickets online or enter to Win it!

Parent tip: Hawaii Theatre’s Ohana! series have extremely limited runs. Pirates is just one show. So purchase tickets early.

The BFG, Nov. 14 - 23

UH Kennedy Theatre, 1770 East-West Road

Ages: 5 and up

Run time: 60-75 minutes

Kennedy Theatre is often known for its elaborate Asian productions, but the heart of UH’s drama department also has a long history presenting interesting puppetry. The stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved The BFG is no exception. Wait until kids see the 24-foot-tall title character as the BFG teams up with orphan Sophie to stop a whole crew of child-eating giants.

Tickets: General, $13; Youth, $7; Children older than 2 must have a ticket. Buy tickets online now.

Parent tips: Keep in mind at Kennedy Theatre you may need to pay for parking. It’s $6 after 4 p.m. during the week and all day Saturday. Parking is free on Sundays.

Rock’n the Holidays with Rakugo, Nov. 28 – Dec. 20

Honolulu Theatre for Youth. Tenney Theatre at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Square

Ages: 5 and up

Run time: About an hour

Rakugo, the ancient style of Japanese storytelling, keeps audiences captivated with just a single narrator and minimal props. A rakugo master has been working with HTY’s adult acting corp to create a contemporary version of the art, with a dash of modern humor and special holiday magic.

Tickets: Adults, $20; 60+, $15; Children 3-18, $10. Buy online now!

Suzette Who Set to Sea, Jan. 16 – Feb. 7

Honolulu Theatre for Youth. Tenney Theatre at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Square

Ages: 5 and up

Run time: About an hour

A young girl in a seaside village dreams of an adventure out on the water. This imaginative story follows the themes of courage, a sense of community and the impact a single person can have.

Tickets: Adults, $20. Children 3-18, $10. 60+, $15. Buy online now!

Happy, Feb. 14 – 28

Honolulu Theatre for Youth. Tenney Theatre at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Square

Ages: 3 and up

Run time: About an hour

A show for your youngest theatregoer, Annie Cusick Wood’s newest play explores what makes us all smile. The artist who created Auntie Martha and the Nene and Peter Rabbit takes a look at empathy, kindness, friendship and more.

Tickets: Adults, $20; 60+, $15; Children 3-18, $10. Buy online now!

Peter and The Starcatcher, March 6 – 22

Manoa Valley Theatre, 2833 East Manoa Rd.

Ages: 10 and up

Run time: Estimated at 2 hours and 30 minutes, including intermission.

What happened before Peter Pan became Peter Pan? The best-selling children’s novel turn Broadway play tells the tale of the orphan Peter’s first encounter with pirates and thieves and his quest to save the world from evil. Watch as MVT’s cast of about a dozen takes on the roles of more than 100 characters, all within about 150 minutes.

Tickets: Adult, $39; Military and seniors, $34; 25 and under, $20. Buy tickets now online or enter to Win it!

Parent tip: Disney hired the book’s author to adapt it for the theatre. Watch for the movie version which Disney has in development right now.

East of the Sun and West of the Moon, March 7 & 8

Hawaii Theatre, 1130 Bethel St.

Ages: Grades K-8

Run time: About an hour

This Scandanavian folktale first appeared in print in the early 1900s. A peasant’s daughter is taken by an enchanted bear. When she discovers her benevolent captor is a prince under an enchantment, he must flee. To find him and free him, she’ll set off on a magical journey that takes her east of the sun and west of the moon to learn about true friendship, loyalty and risking it all.

Tickets: General, $10; Students 17 years and older, military and seniors with ID, $7; Kids 4-17 years, $5. Kids under 4 are free. Buy online now or enter to Win it!

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Apr. 10 – May 9

Honolulu Theatre for Youth. Tenney Theatre at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Square

Ages: 5 and up

Run time: About an hour

Newberry-winning author Grace Lin premiers her stage adaptation of her book in Hawaii. You’ll meet Minli, a little girl who is determined to change her family’s fortune. She teams up with a talking gold fish and a friendly dragon in this tale inspired by Chinese legends.

Tickets: Adults, $20; 60+, $15; Children 3-18, $10. Buy online now!

One Upon One Noddah Time, July 3 – 19

Manoa Valley Theatre, 2833 East Manoa Rd.

Ages: 10 and up

Run time: Estimated at 2 hours and 30 minutes, including intermission

The second in Lisa Matsumoto’s beloved local musical series follows favorite fairy tale characters, Hawaii style. FInd out what happens when Da Tree Local Pigs, Da Mongoosettes, Da Mean Mongoose, Da Wicked Queen and more mix up on an adventure complete with original, energetic songs and only-in-Hawaii moments.

Tickets: Adult, $39; Military and seniors, $34; 25 and under, $20. Buy tickets now online or enter to Win it!

Shrek The Musical, July 17 – Aug. 2

Diamond Head Theatre, 520 Makapuu Ave.

Ages: 10 and up

Run time: DHT shows tend to be two to two-and-a-half hours with intermission

If your kids loved the movie about this unlikely, and gassy, hero, the musical adds an extra dash of fun. The story of an ogre, a very short evil lord, a rather clumsy princess and a whole cast of storybook characters gets new life from additional songs (we especially love “I Know It’s Today,” sung by the child, teenager and adult Princess Fionas as she they wait decades for rescue), a puppet Gingerbread Man and a few additional jabs in the script.

Parent tip: Want a preview? A live Broadway performance was recorded for DVD and can be viewed on Netflix and Amazon Instant video. The Hawaii State Public Library also has the DVD available for borrowing.