HTY Premieres Tasi’s Gift: The Tale of a Samoan Bowl, Opens Today

Honolulu Theatre for Youth's 2011-12 "Season of Cultures" continues with the world premiere of Tasi's Gift: The Tale of a Samoan Bowl, by Aito Steele and Jamie Simpson Steele.

The play opens today, Friday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m., and continues Saturdays, Nov. 26, Dec. 3, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 at 4:30 p.m. at Tenney Theatre on the grounds of The Cathedral of St. Andrew. It is ideal for ages 5 and up. Single tickets are $20 for adults, and $10 for youth (18 and under) and $15 for seniors (over 60).

The HTY production is based upon the book Tasi's Gift: A Samoan Tale, written by Tamara Montgomery and illustrated by Joseph D. Dodd, who has also designed the set and props for the show.

This touching story of selfless giving brings together Samoan song, dance and design, as young Tuala learns to carve a traditional bowl from her grandfather, master carver Tasi. With help from a few magical forest dwellers, Tuala creates a ceremonial bowl worthy of the new chief. As Tuala learns to carve she discovers that even the words and actions of a child can be a gift to the world and that she herself will play a part in the passing on her cultural legacy.

The book's publication date will loosely coincide with the play's opening, and publisher Calabash Books will donate $5 to HTY from the purchase of each book. In addition to book signing events at bookstores around Oahu, authors Montgomery and Dodd will be at each public performance of Tasi's Gift to greet patrons and sign autographs.

Tasi's Gift is directed by Eric Johnson and features Samoan actors Liugalua Liugalua, Vaialofi Samifua and Jordan Savusa, as well as HTY company actor Nina Buck.

Set and props designer is Joseph D. Dodd; costume designer is Sandra Payne; lighting designer is H. Bart McGeehon; puppet designer is Chelsea Cannon.

For more information, to receive a season brochure, order tickets to a show or learn more about HTY's educational programming call 839-9885. Tickets may also be ordered online at www.htyweb.org.

Honolulu Theatre for Youth is Hawaii's non-profit professional theatre company providing theatre and drama education programs that make a difference in the lives of Hawaii's young people and families. Founded in 1955, HTY is recognized the world over as one of America's most honored theatres.

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