The Hilo Community Players will present the classic science-fiction drama “R.U.R.” — Rossum’s Universal Robots, at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Hilo’s Palace Theater, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 16, at Kilauea Theater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The Hilo Community Players will present the classic science-fiction drama “R.U.R.” — Rossum’s Universal Robots, at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Hilo’s Palace Theater, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 16, at Kilauea Theater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
“‘R.U.R.’ was written by the Czech playwright Karel Capek in 1920,” said producer/director Hal Glatzer. “In this play, he gave us the actual word ‘robot,’ and also the plotline that if we make robots too much like people, they will turn on us — a staple of science-fiction ever since.”
Performances will be in old-time-radio style, with actors in costumes and makeup, but carrying scripts. Music and sound effects will be produced live on stage.
The play features Chris Tomich, Saul Rollason, Dan Lindsey, Rob Hunt, Randal McEndree and William McGregor as the men who operate the robot factory. Mimi Tincher portrays the idealistic woman who wants to liberate the robots; Maggi Aspin is cast as her skeptical maid. The robots are played by Azura Khan, Stephen Bond, Aaron Bannister, Galen Larson, Lauren Overbay, Joy Sever, Breandain Clarke and Ray Ryan.
Sound effects will be created by Steve Peyton, music by Rick Mazurowski, costumes by Robin Worley and makeup by Bryan Furer.
“R.U.R.” is a coproduction of the Hilo Community Players, the Friends of the Palace Theater and the Kilauea Drama &Entertainment Network.
Tickets for the Palace performance are $10 in advance, and for students with ID; $15 at the door. For advance sales, call the Palace box office at 934-7010.
All tickets for the Kilauea Theater performance are $10. For reservations, call 982-7344.