Fairy tales will take on a local twist during the University of Hawaii at Hilo Performing Arts Center’s annual spring musical, “Happily Eva Afta.”
“Happily Eva Afta” is a musical comedy written by Lisa Matsumoto, with music and lyrics by Roslyn Catracchia, and is the final segment of her “Once Upon One Time” trilogy. The three musicals transform traditional fairytales into comedic, local fantasies full of songs and colorful characters.
Justina Mattos is directing the show to close out the Performing Arts Center’s season, with music direction by Rachel Edwards and choreography by Kea Kapahua.
According to Mattos, bringing “Happily Eva Afta” to a Hilo stage has been a 16-year work-in-progress.
Volcano Arts Center put on the first musical in the trilogy, “Once Upon One Time,” in 2007, and the Hilo Palace Theater followed with the second part, “Once Upon One Noddah Time,” in 2008.
“Due to (Matsumoto’s) passing and then the COVID-19 pandemic, it took a while to make the final part of the trilogy happen, and we have finally found the right time ” Mattos said. “We have been actively working as a production team for about a year since it takes so much to get a schedule to work and decide on any other resources that may be needed.”
There are 41 cast members, 18 dance ensemble members and dozens of students, faculty, community members and alumni working behind the scenes to put this show together.
“At most, we have about 60 people on stage. It can be a complicated process, but it’s amazing to see the university be this connecting point for so many,” Mattos said. “Community members volunteer to help, students are part of the production for their classes, alumni come back to work on stage again, all for the production.”
UH-Hilo alum Kimo Apaka is playing the lead storyteller and is tasked with taking the audience through the entirety of the musical. He also is the only cast member to have performed in the trilogy prior to “Happily Eva Afta.”
“I was in the second production in 2008, and after so much time, it’s really nice to touch on this again,” Apaka said. “I love how this trilogy celebrates localness, imagination and reading. It is so nice to come back to the stage as an alum and be part of such a talented cast and crew.”
Local casts from across the state have been attracted to Matsumoto’s work due to her use of pidgin. Most of the actors in “Happily Eva Afta” use pidgin through the show, which helps transform the traditional fairy-tale characters into their localized versions.
Instead of a Big, Bad Wolf from “Little Red Riding Hood,” Da Mean Mongoose runs about throughout the show and the three fairies from “Sleeping Beauty” have been transformed into Aunty Dis, Aunty Dat and Aunty Da Kine.
“There are not as many young people speaking pidgin regularly, but they always pick it up quickly. It’s great to see them develop their character while channeling aunties and uncles,” Mattos said. “I think people enjoy playing and seeing characters that are more familiar to them, which is why this fractured fairy tale is so fun to do.”
To make the story come to life, UH-Hilo PAC manager Lee Dombroski began planning the colorful costumes in November. Utilizing her background in costuming and wigs, she has paid homage to fairy tales through the costumes while also giving them a local style that is unique to each character.
“My ultimate goal is to help the actors feel their character the moment they get into costume,” Dombroski said. “Everyone involved in the production has put so much work into their jobs, and everything is working together to create this cohesive visual that supports the story being told.”
Kapahua has choreographed all the dances with the UH-Hilo dance ensemble class and the other dancers performing during the show. Late last month, she was able to see the dancers rehearse all together with the set on stage.
“I love seeing the dances with the set, because it shows that the work we all do brings everything to life,” Kapahua said. “It’s so fun to see the layers of work come together as we get closer to opening.”
After so many years, Mattos is looking forward to seeing “Happily Eva Afta” on the UH-Hilo PAC stage, which allows for an extravagant set, a large cast and exciting lighting and sound effect options that make the outcome even more fun.
The family-friendly show is about 2.5 hours with an intermission. Performances will take place over two weekends: this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and April 19 to April 21.
Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets are available online at hilo.hawaii.edu/depts/theatre/tickets/.
Tickets can also be purchased over the phone at (808) 932-7490 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, or in-person beginning two hours before show time.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.