Local kumu hula Auntie Lani Lee has been cast as Bloody Mary in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s legendary Broadway musical “South Pacific,” the next production of Aloha Performing Arts Company. ADVERTISING Local kumu hula Auntie Lani Lee has been cast as
Local kumu hula Auntie Lani Lee has been cast as Bloody Mary in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s legendary Broadway musical “South Pacific,” the next production of Aloha Performing Arts Company.
Though a professional dancer since age 4 and the current kumu of Na Kupuna O Kona Alii halau, this is Lee’s first foray into theater.
She will enchant audiences with songs such as “Happy Talk” and “Bali Hai” when the show takes the stage Feb. 12-March 13 at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.
Those joining Lee onstage include Laura Alms as Ensign Nellie Forbush and Miguel Montez as Emile de Becque; Taieme and Sirvaughn Kanuha as de Becque’s children Ngana and Jerome; Gerald Lucena as Henri; Tiffany Kutsunai as Liat; Randall Shirley as Lt. Joe Cable; Kelly Drake as Luther Billis; Tyler Savarese as Stewpot; and Martin Dwyer as the Professor.
Other cast members include Tim Bruno as Lt. Buzz Adams; Miles Lugo as radio operator Bob McCaffrey; David Fero as Yeoman Herbert Quale; Pete Hoffmann as the Shore Patrolman, Eugene Gall as Commander Harbison; and Joel Michaelson as Captain Brackett.
Jerry Tracy is director, assisted by Sarah Crawford. Musical director is Bernaldo Evangelista.
The production will feature a live professional orchestra under the direction of Evangelista. Musicians are Vanessa Norman, flute; Joel Gimpel, violin; Ramona Cannon, viola; Charley O’Kelly, trumpet; Garry Russell, trombone/tuba; Sharon Cannon, percussion; and Gloria Juan, piano.
“South Pacific” features music composed by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan.
The show premiered on Broadway in 1949 and was an immediate success. It has since been revived on the Great White Way five times, most recently in 2008, featuring Hawaii’s Loretta Ables Sayre as Bloody Mary.
The story is based on James A. Michener’s Pulitzer Prize winning 1947 book “Tales of the South Pacific.” Rodgers and Hammerstein thought they could create a musical based on Michener’s work that would be financially successful and, at the same time, send a strong message on racism.
Memorable numbers from the show include “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair” and “There is Nothin’ Like a Dame.”
Admission is $27 for adults, $22 for senior citizens and young adults and $10 for children 17 and younger.
Tickets can be purchased online at apachawaii.org, by phone from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday or at the theater box office beginning one hour before showtime, if tickets are still available.
Early purchase is recommended for best seat selection. For tickets or more information, call 322-9924 or visit apachawaii.org.
