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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 3:05 p.m., Thursday, January 25, 2007

Paliku and Hawai'i theatres collaborate on 'Giant Peach'

BY WAYNE HARADA
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Call it a peachy idea.

In a partnership that will expand its reach to youth audiences, Paliku Theatre at the Windward Community College is linking with the downtown Hawai'i Theatre to stage its world premiere musical adaptation of the popular stage version of "James and the Giant Peach" at both venues.

Paliku director Tom Holowach said the children's musical, based on the Roald Dahl book, will open at the Windward site as originally planned, with public shows at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 and 2 p.m. Feb. 11. Then the production "will go on the road, just over the Pali," for a one-night stand on Valentine's Day, at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Hawai'i Theatre.

"There will also be (matinee) performances for school audiences at both sites," said Holowach, who credits the unusual partnership to Hester Kamin, new education director at the Hawai'i Theatre Center, who is expanding her drama education reach to the community at large. She formerly was drama education associate with Honolulu Theatre for Youth.

The production, featuring a cast of 13, has new elements — two shadow puppeteers and original music. The innovative use of puppets will include projections inside the peach prop — a feat facilitated by set designer Alexia Hsin Chen and lighting designer Lloyd "Sandy" Riford. The show's six songs and peripheral tunes are by Lisa Marinacci.

Thus, "Pearch" is being touted as a "world premiere," under the direction of Kris Fitzgerald as his thesis production in partial fulfillment of his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Hawai'i-Manoa.

The story, by the author of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," is a fantasy about James, a mistreated orphan, whose life changes when a giant peach appears on a withered old tree in his garden. An entrance into the peach opens a whole world of insect friends.

Kuamu Pelekai is playing James, with Melissa LaRose as Aunt Spiker and Karen Bauder as Aunt Sponge. Other characters include a centipede, a little old man, an earthworm, a ladybug, an old green grasshopper and a glow worm.

Paliku and the Hawai'i also will host a series of weekday performances to accommodate school audiences.

Tickets at both sites are $12 for adults, $9 for students and children.

To charge by phone, call 235-7310 for Paliku performances and 528-0505 for Hawai'i.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8067.