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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Friday, May 4, 2001

Jamarama group showcases young talent

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Matthew Pedersen, director of Jamarama Productions, rehearses with his Jamarama Jammers at St. Pius Church in Manoa. The Jammers will offer a musical revue, "Let's Go to the Movies," Saturday night at the Hawai'i Theatre. The nonprofit organization allows youths to gain experience in the arts and education by doing shows.

Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

On a blustery Sunday afternoon at St. Pius Church in Manoa, Marcus Shinbo, 8, sang and pranced to "Ghostbusters," trying to exterminate ghosts.

"I'm not afraid of ghosts," said Marcus, a second-grader at Wai'alae School. "And I saw 'Ghostbusters I and II.' "

He and 37 other youngsters are rehearsing for the Jamarama Productions presentation of "Let's Go to the Movies" Saturday at the Hawai'i Theatre. "I like to sing ... and when I perform, it gives me good exercise," said Marcus, the son of Vicky and Dayne Shinbo of Hawai'i Kai.

"He's a remarkable kid," said Matthew Pedersen, mentor and director of the Jamarama Jammers, an ensemble of young ones ages 5 through 14, the performing arm of Pedersen's nonprofit organization that enables youths to gain experience in the arts and education by doing shows such as this ambitious montage of movie music.

 •  "Let's Go to the Movies"
Featuring: The Jamarama Jammers, with guest artist Jake Shimabukuro 7:30 p.m. Saturday Hawai'i Theatre $20, $10, $5 (group discounts for $10 seats only) 528-0506

Eventually, Pedersen hopes to acquire a permanent rehearsal space, as well as launch a Jamarama TV show on a local channel to provide a showcase for the emerging Hawai'i talent.

Taylor Loo, 7, an Epiphany Episcopal School second-grader and daughter of Butch and Ann Loo of Moanalua, said she doesn't mind giving up play or study time "because I like to practice." She's particularly fond of "I'm Alright," one of many numbers she's doing, since she can emulate her fave, Britney Spears.

The production incorporates material way older than the participating cast, yet each child cheerfully and eagerly sings out the lyrics to "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," " 'Ukulele Lady" (complete with hula vamps) and, yes, "Ghostbusters."

The older girls do "Out Here on My Own," adding their own takes on the "Fame" ballad. Kaliko Fase, 13, a seventh-grader at Stevenson Middle School, gets to enact 007 in a medley of James Bond themes. He also plays Danny in "Grease," a terrific workout incorporating the contagious "Born to Hand Jive" number involving most of the cast.

"I wasn't doing anything, so my parents (Laurie and John Fase of Manoa) signed me up (with Jamarama)," Kaliko said. "It's a lot of fun; I did some solos while performing at school and at summer fun. And I want to be an actor like Jim Carrey; I like comedy."

Armando Maza, 8, a Noelani Elementary third-grader and son of Gerardo and Norinna Maza of Makiki, is a little concerned about being nervous when there's a gawking crowd. "I like two numbers, 'Soul Bossa Nova' and 'Blazing Saddles,' because they're funny, and in 'Blazing Saddles,' I get to go on the horse (he's atop another youngster, making like a cowboy)."

Benjamin Chu, 8, a third-grader at Kahala Elementary and son of Tina and Benjamin Chu of Kahala, also is a tad apprehensive about opening night, "but I met a lot of new friends in this show."

That's show biz. The goal, Pedersen said, is to offer youngsters experience in the art of performing, blending voices and talents in a volley of songs. The revue is a panorama of familiar screen music, from "Jaws" to "Chariots of Fire," from "Rocky" to "Saturday Night Fever."

"Mr. Pedersen is a good teacher," Kaliko said. "He makes me try harder and do better."

Indeed, Pedersen cracks the proverbial whip, with intermittent commands and challenges. "Stop talking!" (when some girls forget they're in the middle of rehearsals). "If you break them, it will cost you $6,000 to replace and you will have to pay" (when the girls twirl shell lei during an "'Ukulele Lady" run-through).

Pedersen said parental support has enabled several miracles to happen in the course of practice. When the group's usual rehearsal space was not available, one parent offered his home and provided snacks and lunch. For stage atmosphere, parents are building a papier-mache Cadillac for the "Grease" segment.

'Ukulele stylist Jake Shimabukuro, who has taken a shine to the Jamarama Jammers, is a guest artist Saturday. "The kids asked him to do handstands and cartwheels, and he did," Pedersen said.