Hawai'i's youths showcasing their talents

Advertiser Staff

Rock idol Conrad Birdie (Sky Okimoto) is surrounded by his fans in the musical comedy "Bye Bye Birdie!," beginning tonight at Ronald E. Bright Theatre, Castle High School. Taylor & Rogers of Kailua

Meredith Desha and Chris Riel perform at a recent "On the Spot" show. The improv troupe offers a comedy concert Saturday night at the Leeward Community College Lab Theatre. Nathan Nagamine

"The Enchantment of Beauty and the Beast," by Vera Morris, is offered by the Kapolei Complex Drama Club, composed of 5- to 18-year-olds. "Enchantment" is the tale of a selfish prince who is transformed into a beast until he learns to love. Enter a farm family — a widow, two daughters and their greedy husbands, and a third daughter, Beauty, who becomes the beastly prince's object of affection.

• 7 p.m. today, 6 p.m. Sunday, and 7 p.m. April 30 and May 1 at Kapolei Middle School cafeteria. Tickets are $5 at the door, $3 advance. 693-7000, ext. 305.

The play's the thing, and the Bard's the king at the 9th annual Kaimuki High School Shakespeare Festival, which features more than 100 students in Grades 9-12, in selections from "Macbeth," "Julius Caesar," "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Twelfth Night."

• 7 p.m. today at Kaimuki High School auditorium. Admission is free. 733-4900.

"... and THAT'S CURTAINS!" is an original theatrical production by the student playwrights of T-Shirt Theatre. It's about the wisdom of keeping one's mouth shut in times of tumult, thus saving your job, jaw or relationship.

• 7:30 p.m. today and April 30 at Farrington High School auditorium. Tickets are $5. 732-0153.

Return to the golden olden days of the 1950s with "Bye Bye Birdie!" produced by the Castle Performing Arts Center. The classic Broadway musical comedy — about an Elvis-like rock idol who creates quite a stir as he plants a kiss on a typical American teenager — comes to life through the efforts of 52 students from nine schools.

"Birdie" is directed by Karen Meyer, with choreography by Marcelo Pacleb and musical direction by Emmett Yoshioka.

• Premieres at 8 p.m. today, repeating at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, through May 9, at Ronald E. Bright Theatre, Castle High School. Tickets are $15 general, $10 seniors and students; group rates are available. 233-5626.

"An Evening of Improv with On the Spot" promises fast-paced comedy at Leeward Community College in a homecoming of sorts: The On the Spot troupe got its start from a free improv workshop at LCC's Lab Theatre in 2000. Cast members include Rod Cachola, Meredith Desha, Chris Howard, Chris Riel and Lizzie Wolfe. New improv games and fan faves are in store.

• 8 p.m. Saturday at Leeward Community College Lab Theatre (at the back of the theater building). Tickets are $5, available at the door 45 minutes before the show. 455-0549.