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Now you can get cool Kumu shirts and stuff, Christmas shop, AND help Kumu Kahua -- all at the same time! Visit our new KUMU STORE!Buy tickets online for all the 2007 - 2008 showsSee details below regarding two humanities events to be held in conjunction with Ola Nā IwiNow playing through December 2ndOla Nā Iwi
by Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl
November 1 - December 2, 2007
All Photos by Michael HaradaRead the Ola Nā Iwi Viewer's Guide here
First produced by Kumu Kahua during its 24th season (1994-'95), and
written by a prolific playwright whose works have been regularly produced
by Kumu Kahua and who has taught playwriting at Kumu, Ola Nā
Iwi (The Bones Live) investigates the serious issues involving
the treatment of indigenous human remains while simultaneously telling a
story that is tender, humorous, mysterious and filled with plot twists and
turns. Kneubuhl skillfully conducts a historical exploration of the
pseudo-scientific and often racist motivations behind grave-robbing via a
series of historical monologues presented by 19th-century professors,
physicians and phrenologists. But the central story is contemporary, with
the plot set in motion when a Honolulu theater group returns from an
international tour with a set of Hawaiian bones "illegally" reclaimed from
a German museum. Several characters appear in pursuit of the bones, for
reasons which are not immediately clear, including the enigmatic Nanea,
whose knowledge of Hawaiian history indicates that she may have the
deepest connection and most important motivation of all.
Kumu Kahua board member Sammie Choy (Another Heaven) directs the production, with set design by Justin DeLand, light design by Abel Coelho, costume design by Dusty Behner, sound design by Daniel Sakimura, and props are by Mike Harada. Craig Howes is the assistant director and Wayne Paakaula is the stage manager.
The cast features Kumu veterans Phillip Bullington, Kiana Rivera, Dave Schaeffer, Misa Tupou, and Kumu newcomers Britton Adams, Tiana Alcoran, Donalyn Dela Cruz, Ariane Fuchs, Miko Franconi, Jan McGrath, & Mane.
Thursday, Friday & Saturday 8pm: November 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 30; December 1, 2007 Sundays 2pm: November 4, 11, 18, 25; December *2, 2007
*American Sign Language Interpretation performance
Two Humanities Events in Conjuction with Ola Nā IwiEvent #1, "Ola Nā Iwi: The bones, and Their History," will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 6 at Kumu Kahua Theatre, 46 Merchant Street in downtown Honolulu. The central plot of Ola Nā Iwi deals with the treatment of human bones by Hawaiians, by archaeologists, by museum curators, by rogues, by scientific institutions, and by people who for various reasons suddenly find themselves having to deal with remains. Vann Diamond, former Chair of the O`ahu Burial Council, and Sara Collins, former State Archaeologist for Hawai`i, will talk about the Native American Graves Restoration Act (NAGPRA), the history of scientific treatment of bones, and the current regulatory debates. Playwright Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl will talk about the writing of the play. Scenes from the play, and comments from the director, Sammie Choy, will also be featured on this evening. Event #2, "Different Perspectives in a Single Place: Ola Nā Iwi," will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20, 2007, at Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, UH Mānoa. One of the most interesting aspects of this play is the way it engages so many different perspectives in conversation. Four different Hawaiian women from two centuries are featured prominently in this play, as are Germans, Samoans, and Americans spread out over two hundred years. Theatre is of course a fine venue for discussing such matters; tonight's discussion will be about dialogue, and how it serves as a way of exploring different perspectives on such key issues as race, cultural heritage and responsibility, cultural preservation, and the history of all of these concepts. This evening will feature scholars Jon Osorio and Justina Mattos. Playwright Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl will talk about the writing of the play. Scenes from the play, and comments from the director, Sammie Choy, will also be featured on this evening. Kumu Kahua's 100-seat playhouse puts you at the heart of the drama. And with well over 100 plays to our credit, our reputation attracts some of Hawaii's most talented actors, directors, playwrights, designers and other theater artists and technicians.
46 Merchant Street, Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813 Box Office Phone: (808) 536-4441 Email: kumukahuatheatre@hawaiiantel.net • URL: www.kumukahua.org |