An uncommon life and royal dealings

Advertiser Staff

Two very different theater productions hit the stage next week, one a reprise of a one-man show, the other a fictional account of a royal poker game.

"Road Movie," a Starving Artists Theatre production starring Mark Pinkosh and written by Godfrey Hamilton, personal and professional partners, takes a bow beginning Thursday at Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College.

"Road Movie" was first performed in Honolulu in 1995 and won two prizes at the Edinburgh International Festival of arts. Pinkosh performs several roles, including three female parts, in a search for love and belonging.

Pinkosh, who has been seen in "Road Movie" in Britain and across the United States, including Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, also has a role in the Adam Sandler movie being filmed on O'ahu.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays (and 4 p.m. show May 24) through May 24, and 4 p.m. May 18. Tickets are $20 general, $18 students. 526-4400.

Edwin Booth (Tom Dwight), left, and Count Moreno ('Aina Rapoza) have a difference of opinion in "King Kalakaua's Poker Game," beginning Thursday at Kumu Kahua Theatre. Brad Goda

Romance and political intrigue infuse this drawing-room comedy, which features a multinational cast of characters, including American actor Edwin Booth, a German count, an Italian courtier, Hawai'i's first Chinese picture bride and, of course, King Kalakaua and Queen Kapi'olani.

The play was the winner of the 2000 Kumu Kahua playwriting contest, Hawai'i division.

It's directed by Betty Burdick and stars Charlotte Dias, Wil Kahele, Norman Gibson, Moses Goods, Blossom Lam, Moani Miller, 'aina Rapoza and Tom Dwight.

Show times are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays through June 15. Kumu Kahua's 100-seat performance space is at 46 Merchant St. Tickets are $5-$16. 536-4441.