Tip-off
Broadway musicals to grace DHT stage
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
Two Broadway musicals — "Jekyll & Hyde," about the doctor with a split personality, and "Titanic," about the boat that splits and sinks — will receive their Hawai'i premiere as part of Diamond Head Theatre's 2001-2002 season.
Also, a new musical comedy by Lee Cataluna, "You Somebody," will make its premiere.
"It's a perfect mix of shows," said John Rampage, DHT artistic director.
"Our new season reflects our commitment to bring the best community theater to Hawai'i audiences," he said. "Our productions combine home-grown professionals with Broadway stars, supporting our local community and yet giving the rich experience of a Broadway show."
The season will feature:
• "Jekyll & Hyde," Sept. 14-30. The musical features book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and music by Frank Wildhorn, and the score is noted for the show-stopping tune, "This Is the Moment." The story, based on the Robert Louis Stevenson tale, tackles the theme of good vs. evil, embodied in the dual personality of the good doctor, Henry Jekyll, and his maniacal alter ego, Edward Hyde.
• "Annie," Nov. 30-Dec.16. The winner of seven Tony Awards, this musical, with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, is based on the comic strip, "Little Orphan Annie," and includes such memorable characters as the orphan Annie, the mean-spirited orphanage director Miss Hannigan, and the caring and doting Daddy Warbucks. The score is rich with hit tunes such as "Tomorrow" and "It's a Hard-Knock Life."
• "Blithe Spirit," Jan. 24-Feb. 10. Noel Coward's enduring and timeless classic, now more than four decades old, continues to provide theatrical laughs. It's a ghostly tale dealing with a medium who, through an arranged seance, brings back mischievous spirits from the past.
• "Mame," March 22-April 7. The indomitable, indefatigable Auntie Mame, who ministers to her orphaned nephew Patrick (often with mixed results), has been a stage classic for years. The musical, with book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, boasts such hit songs as the title song, "Bosom Buddies," "If He Walked into My Life" and "We Need a Little Christmas."
• "Titanic," May 24-June 9. This musical, which won five Tony Awards in 1997, features story and book by Peter Stone, and music and lyrics by Maury Yeston. Not to be confused with the movie, this tale begins with optimism and evolves into tragedy among singles, couples and families, focusing on specific members of the crew and passenger list.
• "You Somebody," July 19-Aug. 4. Cataluna's musical dwells on the Lusa family, on a quest to be somebody. It's a hilarious look at the journey to celebrity, via beauty pageant, keiki hula, karaoke and 'ukulele-playing.
Curtain times: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays.
Season subscriptions: $180, $135, $90 and $45; single tickets on sale in August.
Box-office hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Information: 734-0274.
