The University of Hawai'i- Manoa's Department of Theater and Dance has canceled its first stage play production of the 2005-06 season because of a mold infestation in Kennedy Theatre.

The mainstage production "The Boy Who Tricked the Moon" had been scheduled to run from the last week of September to Oct. 2.

The mold infestation — noticeable on seats and carpeting — stemmed from when air conditioning in the main auditorium was turned off for a week in June for asbestos removal.

UH-Manoa is optimistic that the auditorium will be mold-free by the end of September, in time for rehearsals for the second mainstage production, "Battle of Will."

Some classes scheduled to use the auditorium will be moved when school resumes Aug. 22.

Productions in the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre will proceed as scheduled.