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COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
Capable (Amy Johnson) is surrounded by "gappers," orange sea creatures operated by puppeteers Amber Lehua, left, Alex Reis and Kerriann Koizumi.
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Fall into the gap with "The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip," a musical based on the popular children’s book, presented at Kennedy Theatre in mid-April. The musical comedy with a message will be presented by the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Department of Theatre and Dance as the final main-stage show of Kennedy Theatre’s 50th Anniversary season.
"Gappers" was adopted from the novel by George Saunders about a smart, hardworking girl, Capable, and her father, who live in a village named Frip. The village’s goats are plagued by small orange sea creatures called gappers, which initially infest all the village’s goats but then form a particular attachment to Capable’s herd.
The gappers will be portrayed by puppets created by Teryl Garcia, a master’s candidate at the UH Theatre and Dance Department. The production also features singing, humor and quick-changing double-cast actors. "‘Gappers’ is not just a kid’s show. It has something for everyone," director Mark Branner said in a statement.
Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday and April 12, 18 and 19. In addition, a Sunday matinee April 20 at 2 p.m. will include an Easter egg hunt for youngsters. Free pre-show chats will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 12 and 19, and a reception with the cast, the director and UH theater faculty will be held after Friday’s show.
Tickets are $10-$20, $5 for UH students. Tickets are available at the Kennedy Theatre box office, online at etickethawaii.com or by calling 944-2697. Discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Visit hawaii.edu/kennedy or call 956-7655 for information.
