Homelessness takes center stage in musical
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
Musical theater is not the usual way to learn about homelessness in Hawai'i, but it happens this spring when "Truly Dually," a play about mental illness, healthcare and our homeless population, hits local stages.
Performances of the musical "Truly Dually," will be at 7:30 p.m. April 22 at the First Presbyterian Church on Ke'eaumoku Street; at 4:30 p.m. April 24 at Tenney Theatre at St. Andrew's Cathedral; and at 7:30 p.m. May 10 and 12 at Windward Community College's Paliku Theatre. All performances are free and high schools, universities, churches and civic groups are invited to attend. For information and reservations, e-mail Michael Ullman at mdarrenu@yahoo.com. For information on how to sponsor the performances, call Ullman at 391-7963.
The play was written by Michael Ullman based on his experiences working with chronically homeless, dually diagnosed population (with both mental illness and substance abuse) during his three years as director of programs at the Institute for Human Services' emergency shelter.
'Truly Dually' performances
The 22-song musical, which will have four performances in April and May, depicts homelessness in an entertaining yet realistic manner, and shows some of the programs that are trying to bring about long-term solutions, Ullman said.
"Greater public knowledge about the system of care that is available for the homeless and especially the difficult-to-serve dually diagnosed population is critical," said Ullman, a doctoral student in social welfare at the University of Hawai'i School of Social Work. He said the play will introduce the audience to programs and treatment that can help homeless people.
"The play also underscores the humanity of homeless individuals and the respect and dignity that must be accorded to them," he said.
Residents of the Hawai'i State Hospital will help with the design and production of the program playbill and provide staff support for the May performances at Windward Community College.
Handouts with song lyrics and explanations of the terminology and programs will be given to people attending the play to help them understand it, he said.
The play follows the struggles of an outreach worker attempting to engage a very uncommunicative homeless, dually diagnosed individual. It also follows as a family interacts with a homeless man living in a park who uses wit and metaphor to educate them about the plight of homelessness and the dignity of "his" people.
Using musical theater to depict the plight of the downtrodden has been used effectively in plays such as "Les Miserables," "Rent" and "Oliver!" Ullman said it is a good way to tell a sad story without being overly depressing.
The play is being presented in a style called "reader's theater" with actors reading scripts with limited costumes, set decoration and choreography. This allows the audience — especially homeless people themselves — to give feedback so the musical can be polished before a full production, he said.
Award-winning musical director Roslyn Catracchia will direct, cast and write the music for "Truly Dually." She said the reader's theater gives a play time to develop while financial backing is found.
"We are trying to give people an idea of what the show can be like," Catracchia said. "People who will come should get a very strong idea of what it can be like with a little imagination."
Catracchia said the musical is a mix of drama and comedy and is very real.
"The way he (Ullman) has approached it is very effective," she said. "Because he knows about the homeless situation, it will be true to their situation.
"I'm excited to see it come to fruition."
United Self-Help, a nonprofit self-help support agency for people in recovery for mental illness, is sponsoring the play along with the Adult Mental Health Division of the state Department of Health, the School of Social Work at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, the O'ahu Homeless Continuum of Care and the Windward Homeless Coalition.
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.
