Music and theater have brought people together for centuries. It’s a reason to gather in one place for a couple of hours for a shared experience that is both entertaining and diverting. In today’s world, when the majority of communication
Music and theater have brought people together for centuries. It’s a reason to gather in one place for a couple of hours for a shared experience that is both entertaining and diverting. In today’s world, when the majority of communication takes place electronically, the social nature of live entertainment becomes even more meaningful.
This weekend, the Big Island is bursting at the seams with live performances ranging from opera to Broadway musicals. “Broadway on the Rocks” premiers Sunday at 2 p.m. at Huggo’s on the Rocks. Similar to last week’s “Opera on the Rocks,” but with emphasis on Broadway and musical theater.
“There’s one word that really captivates people, and that’s Broadway,” said Genette Freeman, executive director for Hawaii Performing Arts Festival. “’Broadway on the Rocks’ is a lot of hits and songs from everyone’s favorite theater productions over the years. This show encompasses everything from classic Broadway, like Rogers and Hammerstein’s and ‘Oklahoma’ to more contemporary pieces from people who continue to produce great musical theatre.”
“Broadway on the Rocks” is just one of many performances of the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival (HPAF), which annually welcomes world renowned faculty and staff to the Big Island. HPAF’s mission is to promote the appreciation and advancement of classical music and musical theatre, while providing music and performance training programs to participating students.
One of this year’s students is Lucas Tarrant from Oklahoma City University. In addition to performing in “Broadway on the Rocks,” he also stars as Cinderella’s Prince Charming in the festival’s production of “Into the Woods,” which will show July 25 and 26 at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea.
“’Broadway on the Rocks’ is a fundraising concert for HPAF,” said Tarrant. “Our cast puts together a fun show of solos and ensemble pieces and we perform a concert. Beside the beautiful location and great food and drinks, it’s a precursor and a taste of the talent that HPAF has to offer. It will be a piano and singers, with a little bit of dance and choreography. It’s a good combination of everything.”
“Students come from all over the world for the chance to participate in the festival, study with the festival’s renowned faculty, and have the opportunity to perform,” said Freeman.
“This year we have students attending from Thailand, London, China, and all over the (U.S.) mainland. Many of the students are in college voice programs. Often in these programs, they get maybe one or two opportunities to perform throughout the school year. However, they can come here to Hawaii and perform three, or four, or five times in a matter of three weeks. Performers need experience, and they are here for that performing experience.”
While most of the festival’s performances take place in Waikoloa and Waimea, HPAF is trying to offer more venues in Kona.
“Even though it’s a logistical challenge for us to move everyone and everything we need to do a performance from Waimea to Kona, we realize that there’s an audience in Kona that may not want to drive all the way out to Waimea,” said Freeman. “We hope that everybody will come out to our Kona performances. It’s going to be a really great show, not to mention it’s set on beautiful Kona [sic] Bay right on the water at Huggo’s.”
Other notable performances happening this weekend are “Chee-Yun and Friends,” which offers a classic string performance on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai ballroom. Also, “Opera Under the Stars” takes place on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Luau Grounds. Tickets for both events are $40 and are available online at www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org.
“Broadway on the Rocks will be an exciting performance of some of our most talented participants of the festival,” said Elizabeth Bauman, general manager for HPAF. “Though our performances are welcoming, this will be presented in a more nontraditional venue. I’m looking forward to some Broadway favorites and enjoying the fabulous atmosphere.”
Now in its 10th year, HPAF has created world class training program that has brought more than 450 young artists from around the world to the Big Island, contributing more than $3 million to the local economy. The organization has awarded scholarships to over 100 young artists from Hawaii. Proceeds from “Broadway on the Rocks” will benefit the festival.
Tickets are $60 with very limited seating and are available online at www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org.
