The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness, according to naturalist James Muir. On Saturday, April 18 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 19 at 4 p.m., local performers from Prince Dance Institute and Kahilu Theatre will
The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness, according to naturalist James Muir. On Saturday, April 18 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 19 at 4 p.m., local performers from Prince Dance Institute and Kahilu Theatre will join forces to take audience members on a universal journey as they perform Legends of the Forest, a dance and theatre collaboration to raise awareness of the importance of Hawaiian forests.
With choreography by Angel Prince, Elizabeth McDonald, Grady Sullivan and Leia Lawrence, and theatrical scenes by Beth Dunnington, this performance will be both high energy and visually stimulating. Actress Nani Anderson, a Hawaii Preparatory Academy graduate, will also make an appearance as the forest mystic.
“Prince Dance Institute mostly focuses on environmental topics,” said Director Angel Prince. “It’s one of our main themes. This year, we decided to focus on the forests of Hawaii, which are a very important part of the island and its health. It’s very easy for us to focus on the beach, and the water, or the mountains, because they’re so visible. But our forests are fantastic and vast. From tropical to dryland, they each harbor different animals, trees and plants that are endemic to Hawaii, and that’s pretty special.”
The evening-length show, created by Angel Prince and other teachers of the afterschool dance and theatre classes at Kahilu, is inspired by the group’s dedication to increase community consciousness around the importance of Hawaii’s woodlands.
“The idea was to create legends around the forests, and things that live in the forests, whether it be plants, animals, or mythical creatures,” said Prince. “We are using some traditional legends that already exist, like the menehune for instance, as well as legends that have evolved over time. We have different dances that interpret these legends through contemporary dance, trapeze, hip hop, break dancing, hula and acting. We have a lot of colors in nature so we tried to include that in our costume design and in the lighting. It’s a very colorful show.”
Along with dancers from the institute, Legends of the Forest also includes young actors from Kahilu’s afterschool program, which is directed by Dunnington.
“Each class is dancing a legend, and my group is acting a legend,” said Dunnington. “This is only the second year that acting is a part of the show. What the audience can expect to see in terms of acting is a dozen kids in full costume acting out the legend of Pele and Namaka. It’s how Pele went from island to island trying to land somewhere and Namaka kept thwarting her until finally Pele landed on the Big Island. We have kids playing the narrators and Namaka’s servants, as well as actors playing Pele and Namaka. We also have actresses playing the other goddess sisters, and of course a young actor who’s playing the brother who orders Pele to leave. These kids have been practicing all semester. It’s going to be a really nice show because it’s all a cast of local kids. It is dance housed within these beautiful legends. It’s going to be a really magical night.”
The show features a cast of nearly 70 dancers and performers, including children as young as 5, and runs approximately 90 minutes, with an intermission.
“It keeps you entertained, because nothing lasts too long,” said Prince. “We’re always switching genres, and the music is very upbeat, enjoyable, and entertaining.”
Prince Dance Institute at the Kahilu Theatre teaches dance and acting from contemporary, hip hop and trapeze to musical theater, with 14 afterschool classes each week.
“Angel is really doing groundbreaking stuff,” said Dunnington. “A lot of work goes into this. There is major tech in the show, and it is a Kahilu produced show so it’s very important to the theater. Our whole mission now is education and producing our own shows so we’re not just a presenting house. To stay grounded in the community producing our own shows is very important and I’m very proud to be a part of that.”
In addition to the two performances at Kahilu Theatre, Legends of the Forest will also play for local schools and children in two Youth Shows on Wednesday, April 15.
“We need to create a new story about our woodlands,” said Prince. “They deserve to have the respect and the awe that the beaches and mountains receive. Our native forests are the both vital and inspiring and we hope to represent that in this show.”
Tickets are $30/$25/$20/$15 and are available online at kahilutheatre.org, or by calling the theater at 885-6868. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the theater box office located at 67-1186 Lindsey Road in Waimea from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
