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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:13 p.m., Friday, July 11, 2008

Kennedy season boasts puppetry, Bard and noh

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Staff Writer

A children's production tapping puppetry with an environmental message, a bloody Shakespearean tragedy, a Japanese noh drama and a dance concert will be the mainstage attractions in the 2008-2009 drama season at Kennedy Theatre, on the East-West Center campus of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa.

Smaller and edgier shows are slated in two separate series at the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre.

Super Saver tickets — $12 — now are on sale for mainstage productions at the Kennedy box office, with reduced prices available through Sept. 1.

The seasons at a glance:

Kennedy Theatre mainstage:

• "The Little Snow Fox and Other Tales of the North Pacific," at 7:30 pm. Oct. 3 and 4 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 5. An adaptation by Kemuel DeMoville of the book, "TiQri, the Little Snow Fox," by Tamara Montgomery and Jodi Parry Belknap, with illustrations by Joseph D. Dodd, of North Pacific stories told with puppetry, dance and special effects; directed by Tamara Montgomery, with choreography by Amy L. Schiffner. Tickets: $15 general, $14 seniors, military, UH faculty and staff; $12 students, children.

• "Macbeth," the Shakespeare tragedy, at 8 p.m. Nov. 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22, and at 2 p.m. Nov. 23. "Macbeth" looks at the dark side of life and explores — with witches, blood, murder and ambition gone wild — how power leads to corruption; a postmodern and multi-cultural take on one of The Bard's bloodiest tragedies; directed by Paul T. Mitri. Tickets: $18 general, $16 seniors, military, UH staff; $12 students, $5 UH students.

• "Sumida River (Sumidagawa)," at 8 p.m. March 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14 and at 2 p.m. March 15. A story of a distraught mother's search for her abducted son, told in the Japanese noh theater tradition; while crossing the Sumida River, the mother discovers some chilling truths about the child. An accompanying noh-kyogen exhibit will be at the East-West Center. Tickets: $18 general, $16 seniors, military, UH staff; $12 students, $5 UH students.

• "Dance: Roots and Offshoots," at 8 p.m. April 24, 25, May 1 and 2, and at 2 p.m. May 3. A dance production, choreographed by UH faculty and guest artists, performed by UHM students, exploring the roots of diverse dance in the Islands; with hula, contemporary and other styles, plus an homage to the centennial of Kim Ch'on-hung, a Korean dancer whose impact continues today. Tickets: $18 general, $16 seniors, military, UH staff; $12 students, $5 UH students.

Super Saver tickets can be ordered by phone at483-7123, online at www.etickethawaii.com <http://www.etickethawaii.com/>

Prime Time in the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre

• Fall Footholds, 8 p.m. Oct. 15, 16, 17 and 18 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 19. New choreography and performances by UH dance students.

• "A Snow Day," at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 5 and 6 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 7. A tale about Rose, who wakes up and finds the snow gone; she and her imaginary friend search the world for the missing white. Kat Pleviak's script and puppets are family-friendly; directed by Elise Sanders.

• "Translations," at 8 p.m. Jan. 21, 22 and 23 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 25. A play by Brian Friel, set in Ireland of 1833, about the personal and cultural effects of the loss of the Irish language, with strong parallels to the Hawai'i of the late 19th century.

• Winter Footholds, at 8 p.m. Feb. 11, 12, 13 and 14 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 15. New choreography and performances by UH dance students.

• "The Good Terrorists," at 8 p.m. April 1, 2, 3 and 24 and at 2 p.m. April 5. A satire, by Kyle Klapatauskas, on the strategies of "nice terrorism," in post 9/11 America; a world premiere by this MFA playwriting student.

Prime Time tickets: $14 general, $12 seniors, military and UH staff; $10 students, $5 UH students.

Late Night in the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre

• "Stop the Clocks: Two Original Plays," at 11 p.m. Sept.13,19 and 20 and at 8 p.m. Sept. 14. Featuring a pair of MFA student Brad Larson's plays, including "Hypegiaphobia's Contribution to Mental Hygiene," directed by Larson, and "Lost in a Day," directed by Sara Robertson.

• "What," at 11 p.m. Nov. 15, 21 and 22, and at 8 p.m. Nov. 16. Written and directed by Rikki Jo Hickey; also featuring "Learning to Walk" by Eugene Ionesco, directed by Bronzen Golden Hahn.

Note: Late Night spring plays will be announced later.

Late Night tickets: $10 general, $8 seniors, military, UH staff and students; $4 UH students.

For more information: Kennedy Theatre Box Office, 956-7655.

On the Web: www.hawaii.edu/kennedy.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.