The show, with a working name of "Waikiki Nei," will tell a history of Hawai'i and Waikiki from the time of the Hawaiian Monarchy to the present, using modern technology.

It will be similar in its theatrical style and cultural emphasis to "'Ulalena" on Maui, which was also created by the team.

"We're very excited to bring a show of this caliber to Waikiki," said Tokujo, president and CEO of Cove Marketing and Royal Hawaiian Showroom LLC, in a press release. "With all of the changes taking place at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, we knew this was the time and place to take Waikiki entertainment to the next level. There is nothing like this anywhere in the islands."

The creative team includes Roger Parént, a former producer of Cirque du Soleil, who also created 'Ulalena.

The Center's showroom will be transformed at a cost of approximately $15 million, according to the partners. Work will include raising the roof 30 feet to a total height of 50 feet to accommodate moving stages, rotating columns, video displays and acrobatic performers' rigging.

The theater will seat 760 and incorporate catwalks above to allow performers to be suspended over the audience.

Local performers will be cast and sent to Montreal to learn acrobatics and hone their acting and dancing skills.

When the nightly show performances conclude, half of the seating will retract to make way for a nightclub in the style of the MGM Grand's Studio 54 in Las Vegas, according to the partners, with continuous performance, acrobatics, videos, lighting and sound. The club will have a capacity of 1,000 guests.

The lobby will feature an "ultra lounge," with interactive tables, special drinks and dramatic lighting.

Ticket prices for "Waikiki Nei" are anticipated to be similar to those of 'Ulalena, with a range of $49.50 to $69.50 for adults and $29.50 to $49.50 for children ages 12 and under.

On the Web: www.RoyalHawaiianShoppingCenter.com.