What does a theater company do when its beloved performing space is not available because of the rocking and rolling of an active volcano?
Kilauea Drama and Entertainment Network, for the past two months an orphaned theater company, is presenting a show about an orphan — and at last found a home for its summer musical.
KDEN’s production of Lionel Bart’s “Oliver!” opens tonight at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Performing Arts Center. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays through July 29, except for this Sunday.
“This has been a particularly trying year for us,” said director and KDEN executive director Suzi Bond, “The closing of the national park less than a week before auditions had people thinking we weren’t doing the show. But the show must go on and this will help bring some normalcy to a very trying situation.
“The cast has been rehearsing in people’s living rooms, Christ Lutheran Church and at a studio in Volcano owned by the very generous Bonnie Goodell. It is hard to be nomadic and not have consistency, but this cast defines the term troupers.
“It will be nice to finally be able to rehearse and perform in one place. Lee Dombroski and Dori Yamada at UHH’s Performing Arts Center have opened their doors, and their theater and made the facility affordable for us.
“We couldn’t do this without the help of so many wonderful people.”
“Oliver!” is the musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale “Oliver Twist.” Book, music and lyrics are all by Lionel Bart.
This classic musical first premiered in 1960 in London’s West End. The show features such memorable songs as “Where is Love?,” “As Long As He Needs Me,” “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself” and “Who Will Buy?”
Bond has enlisted the talents of Walter Greenwood as music director and Carmen Richardson as choreographer. Set design is by Jonathan Sudler with Kala Daily as stage manager.
Starring as the waif Oliver is newcomer Quin Scheetz. Veteran actors Hayden Konanui-Tucker is the Artful Dodger and Joel Kelley is Fagin. Joy Sever takes on the role of Nancy and Ray Ryan is Bill Sikes.
The versatile ensemble members are Stephen Bond, Kaulmia Boyer, Debbie Campbell, Kalleigh Chapman, Lichen Forster, Karl and Susie Halemano, Joyce Hanley, Ariana Kelley, Michael Meyer, Dawn Pelletier, Steve Peyton, Stanislaw Stack, Travis Woods and Elizabeth Young.
Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors 60 and older and students, and $12 for children 12 and younger. Tickets are available at Kilauea General Store, Keaau Natural Foods, Basically Books, The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo and at the door.
For information and reservations, call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.