Stage Scene
'Dragonfly' takes flight with serious message

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Janel Parrish, who plays Wendy the waterbug turned dragonfly, rides a snail in the Crystal Town parade during a rehearsal of "On Dragonfly Wings." Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser 'On Dragonfly Wings' Premieres at 8 p.m. today; repeats at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays, through Aug. 12 Leeward Community College Theatre Opening night, $50 (includes 6:30 p.m. reception, with pupu and drinks); other shows, $30 for adults, $25 for children under 12 and seniors over 65, military; limited $20 and $10 tickets available 484-8800

The laughs are still there but the Pidgin isn't — for a reason.

"For the last 20 years, we have been doing Pidgin shows, and while I really do love the Pidgin dialect and plan to write more in the future, it was time to do one in standard English," Matsumoto said. "There was a serious message to deliver."

The play is based on the children's book "Wailana the Waterbug" — story by Jane Hopkins and former Advertiser reporter Greg Barrett and adapted by Matsumoto — and is a morality piece inspired by the bravery and power of Alana Dung, the youngster who fought, but lost, a battle with leukemia.

"The whole idea of using the metaphor of Wendy the waterbug becoming a dragonfly meant that we would not do it in Pidgin," Matsumoto said. "The show has an inspirational look and the topic is so universal, I wanted to target a broader audience, not just a local crowd, and eventually play the show on the Mainland. We all experience some kind of loss; the healing process is universal."

Roslyn was a tad apprehensive about taking a detour from the comfortable pidgin path. "It was very much a different framework for me," Roslyn said. "I had been doing only comedic stuff, so I wasn't that confident, but I've had a lot of help from Lisa and Tammy Hunt (her University of Hawai'i mentor), who have been coaching me. It's been something inevitable."

She worked closely alongside Matsumoto, who noted points in the script where a song would work, with suggested titles or themes to frame the show. In all, about 16 or 17 original tunes comprise the musical score.

There are upbeat tunes and reflective ballads, Roslyn said, and "Parade in the Sky" probably is the showstopper, filled with hope and belief.

Sample lyrics: "As for tomorrow and all that it holds, don't waste your time in wondering, be brave and bold; capture moonbeams, ride a star; hold your chin up high; and ride it far."

"Dragonfly" is a major leap for Matsumoto and her 'Ohia Productions, which is producing the show independently.

"'Ohia Productions has been around since 1995, and our primary program has been shows in schools," Matsumoto said. "It's been difficult to keep that program going, and to keep the costs down, and this show is basically being done to fund and support that school program."

It's been a daunting challenge from the beginning.

"When you do a show at Diamond Head Theatre or Kennedy Theatre, you pretty much are a guest and don't have to worry about electricity and box office and other things relating to doing a show," Matsumoto said. "But mounting one on our own meant building a foundation from the bottom floor. You have to pay to have your costumes done. There's an unexpected crisis. It's all eye-opening stuff."

Matsumoto and Roslyn met while attending UH and appearing in a campus production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." "We played courtesans," Roslyn said. They since have become kindred spirits and partners in writing Pidgin shows.

Their "Once Upon One Time" trilogy has been a favorite of Island audiences, initially produced at Kennedy Theatre and revived with new vigor at Diamond Head Theatre. The early productions built a network of dedicated actors, volunteers, techies and more.

"What is gratifying is that we are surrounded by a wonderful support team, who are there when we need them, and volunteers who are eager to see our dream come true. In a sense, we're like Wendy, the central figure in the play, who has big dreams about a big parade, one that's bigger than she can imagine. So we're living the play; like Wendy, we, too, are facing the challenge. And thinking big," Matsumoto said.

Roslyn said her tunes are interconnected by the characters known as Pond Gossipers. "They tie all the music together, providing transitions. They give flavor to the show."

The Dung family has been supportive of the project and are eager to share with audiences the remarkable spirit of their daughter.

"I never had the pleasure to meet Alana but she was one little girl, who impacted so many lives, in her short life. It amazes me that when she was only 3à, she inspired many to save lives, and she continues to do so, because of the foundation created as a result of her courage," Matsumoto said.

Roslyn said she was touched by an aunt of Alana, who saw part of the show and was moved by the work. "It's too strange," the aunt told Roslyn. "It's like we had captured the spirit of Alana in something wonderful. I believe that the inspiration comes from God; He gives me the idea and I happen to be the first person who gets to hear it."

Playwright Lisa Matsumoto and composer Roslyn Freitas discuss their "On Dragonfly Wings" production, which premieres today. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Matsumoto said the production will be videotaped so there will be visual documentation in 'Ohia's quest to go national.

"I don't see this as a children's show. It functions on two levels," Matsumoto said. "One is the story of how the waterbug changes to the dragonfly; adults will see the parallels of the metaphor of the passing of life to death. Yet there is a lot of warmth and humor that would appeal to the entire family, much like a Disney musical like 'The Lion King' or 'Beauty and the Beast.'"

Matsumoto has been consumed by the depth of the work for "Dragonfly," so she doesn't have any other projects on the boards now. But Roslyn is collaborating with Art Freedman to create a new Christmas musical, "Santa Claus Lives in Music," which will make its debut during the holidays at the Army Community Theatre.

Traditionally, a Matsumoto-Roslyn caper involves both artists on stage, too, and the truth is Matsumoto had written two cameos for herself and for Roslyn.

"But with so much to do off stage, we both decided not to take on the challenge of being in the show, too, so the two characters — the queen bee and the black widow — will have to wait for another time."