HAWAII THEATER REVIEWS

What did our critic think of TOOTSIE at Diamond Head Theatre?...

KĀMAU, KĀMAU A'E, and UA PAU run Thurs-Sat, with the full trilogy on Sunday, through June 30 at Kumu Kahua Theatre....

A powerhouse performance by Dwight T Martin leads a talented cast of Arthur Miller's masterpiece of American theatre....

It feels like it was just last week that I was at Diamond Head Theatre (DHT), experiencing the joyous all-female cast of Shout! and now, I got to experience more joy from DHT, except through an all-male cast in its energetic production of Forever Plaid. As remained the case with Shout!, Forever Plai...

Many of us, including myself, have missed the theatre, the place where audiences are imbued with a jubilant escape, which unfortunately hasn't been able to happen for the past year, as the island of Oahu reaches its one-year mark of having officially being put on lockdown due to the Coronavirus. Tho...

Upon waiting to greet Vanessa Manuel-Mazzullo, one of the cast members of Palikū Theatre's Songs for a New World, the first remark out of my mouth was, 'Everyone should see this show'. Now, when it comes to theatre, making recommendations, and especially reviewing shows, that's not a statement to b...

Coming all the way from the 'Great White Way' to the island of Oahu is the remarkable, magical spectacle The Illusionists Live From Broadway. Comprised of six performers---'The Unusualist' (Raymond Crowe); 'The Trickster' (Paul Dabek); 'The Daredevil' (Jonathan Goodwin); 'The Manipulator' (An Ha Lim...

'Our world needs more love.' Spoken during the after-show 'Talk-Back Sunday' session by Kwame Michael Remy, his statement resounds, especially through the themes and performances in Diamond Head Theatre's (DHT) Kinky Boots. A superb show imbued with stellar lead performances, dazzling choreography, ...

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Rounding out Diamond Head Theatre's 104th season is the always anticipated, larger scale summer production, and this year, is it Matilda, based on the Roald Dahl's beloved children's story. What is destined to become a local crowd-pleaser, the show primarily boasts a fantastic cast but slightly falt...

A 'musical': this canonical term within the world of theatre sets the foundation for-yes, a musical-Something Rotten! Extremely meta-theatrical, self-aware, and imbued with satire, Diamond Head Theatre's (DHT) latest production of the Broadway hit finds itself galvanizing its audience with uproariou...

Jazzing up central Oahu at the Dr. Richard T. Mamiya theatre is the 'junior' production of esteemed Broadway magnate Bob Fosse's Chicago. A glitzy musical filled with deceit, manipulation, and murder, Saint Louis Center for the Arts's production is an enjoyable time at the theatre....

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As it's been practically an annual tradition of mine over the last some six years, I always look forward to Ballet Hawaii's presentation of The Nutcracker, for it truly doesn't feel like Christmas without this heartwarming experience. From the familiar, charming score of renowned Tchaikovsky, to the...

Every season, Diamond Head Theatre (DHT)---known as the 'Broadway of the Pacific'---mounts a Christmas-themed production to bring holiday cheer to the patrons of its theatre-going community. Recent years have included the likes of A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Christmas Story, White Christmas, and Li...

Although there's been a lack of tradewinds on the island of Oahu in the state of Hawaii, a perfect amount of winds---from the east, maybe?---has brought the arrival of Mary Poppins Jr. to the Mamiya Theatre at Chaminade University. Stalwart with a strong cast, vocal abilities, and technical aspects,...

A new community theatre gracing the east side of Oahu, Kailua Onstage Arts makes its debut with The Wolves, a 2017 Pulitzer finalist for Drama. The play follows the story of teenage girls, all part of a volatile soccer team, who basically want to win a game and become recognized, not only by college...

Every now and then, a show comes along which displays the mass talent of the community's younger generation. Such can be said with the recently closed Newsies in Honolulu, Hawaii's Diamond Head Theatre (DHT), commonly referred to as "The Broadway of the Pacific." While many spectacular features comp...

A hilarious screwball comedy, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, is an homage to a host of Jazz Age musicals, which were filled with songs, dances, and outlandish gags---in this musical, it's all set to the superb score ('S'Wonderful', 'Fascinating Rhythm', 'But Not for Me') of George and Ira Gershwin!...

Showcasing the vibrancy of traditional Chinese theatre, these contrasting plays celebrate the chou - or comic - character, an irrepressible force of comedy who continually reveals the laughter in life.  Filled with convoluted acrobatic contortions, mistaken identities, adorable lovers, and exhilara...

Based on a true story, Calendar Girls (also a 2003 hit movie) accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. It makes you laugh, it makes you cry, and it leaves you with a feeling of empowerment as you leave the theatre....

The holidays simply aren't complete without a delightful Hawaiian-style production of The Nutcracker. Ballet Hawaii celebrates the imaginary adventures of a young girl and a prince with its 40th Anniversary Season and this unforgettable performance....

Evita used United Airlines' tactics when it came to getting what she wanted. She had no problem sending thugs with badges to rough up anyone who disobeyed her. Yet, at the same time, she had immeasurable compassion for the poor. Her marriage to dictator Juan Peron is one of the great romances of the...

Among the many special productions presented by Maui OnStage at the Historic Iao Theater this year, Marc Camoletti's play Boeing Boeing, directed by Michael Pulliam, arrived at the theater for 2 comedy filled weeks....

One Sweet Weekend in Honolulu...