Hawaii’s brightly colored ocean fish, beautiful offshore reefs and crystal-clear water can be inspirational as well as relaxing. Playwright Kathleen Doyle found the characters for her new play, “Little Big Eye,” while swimming in island waters.
“The fish have so much personality, and they’re so colorful. When the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa goes swimming by, there’s a lot going on visually,” Doyle said, calling from her home in New York.
“Little Big Eye” was written for Honolulu Theatre for Youth and is intended to entertain children ages 2 through 6. HTY actors Sean-Joseph Choo and Jocelyn Ishihara animate a cast of more than 50 puppets — many of them designed and made by Doyle — in telling the story of a young bigeye fish and the sea life he encounters in his neighborhood.
“LITTLE BIG EYE”
Presented by Honolulu Theatre for Youth
>> Where: Tenney Theatre at Cathedral of St. Andrew
>> When: 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Saturday and March 10; sensory-friendly/ASL performance 11:30 a.m. March 10
>> Cost: $10-$20
>> Info: 839-9885, http://www.htyweb.org/plays/little-big-eye/
Bigeye fish (scientific name Priacanthidae) get their name because they have unusually large eyes that help them find prey at night.
Doyle grew up on the East Coast “loving the taste of saltwater” and fascinated by the fish and other creatures that live in the ocean. To get a better look at them, she went snorkeling, then got her scuba certification. She’s also worked with the ichthyologists at the American Museum of National History in Washington, D.C.
She includes Hawaiian names for all the marine life in the story. For instance, Hawaiians know the bigeye fish as the aweoweo.
“I want to arouse the kids’ curiosity and inspire them to discover the tang fish or the parrotfish,” she said. “There’s so much to discover in the ocean. I don’t have to make it up.”
AT A GLANCE
>> What it’s about: The experiences of “a feisty little fish with a curious eye for adventure” as he explores his underwater neighborhood and meets other colorful sea creatures.
>> Morals and messages: Share your light with others. When you all shine bright together, nobody can harm you.
>> Parental advisory: Nothing to worry about. No sarcasm, no cynical asides, no toilet humor.
>> Kid-pleaser aspects: A cast of more than 50 colorful fish puppets, friendly sea-life characters, a singalong and optional audience participation for kids who want to participate.
>> Age recommendation: 2-6 years old.
>> Run time: 37 minutes.
