‘Cinderella’ goes Korean
Honolulu Theatre for Youth company actor Alvin Chan has transplanted the familiar story of the blond heroine Cinderella from 18th-century Europe to contemporary Korea with HTY’s season-opening production of "A Korean Cinderella."
In Chan’s version he mixes the Korean folk tale of Kongji and Patji with contemporary K-pop elements to create a new story.
The HTY production presents the story of an ox, a magical turtle, a flock of helpful sparrows and a fairy who helps the "beautiful and kind" Kongji overcome the bullying of her wicked stepmother and evil stepsister and eventually marry the man of her dreams.
Chan gives the HTY production a postmodern feel by making it a mash-up of traditional Korean fashions, drumming and dancing with contemporary K-pop music and choreography. Don’t be surprised if Kongji goes "Gangnam Style" at the ball.
A free study guide is available on the play’s home page at www.htyweb.org.
‘A Korean Cinderella’
Presented by Honolulu Theatre for Youth
>> Where: Tenney Theatre at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Square
>> When: Opens 7:30 p.m. Friday; 4:30 p.m. Saturdays from Aug. 24 to Sept. 21
>> Cost: $10-$20
>> Info: 839-9885 or www.htyweb.org
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John Berger, Star-Advertiser
Deep-sea creatures grab spotlight
Explore the world of sea cucumbers, mantis shrimp and sponges at the Waikiki Aquarium’s annual Family Night from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday.
The theme this year is "Circus Under the Sea," highlighting the weird and the wacky.
Explore creatures of the deep in the aquarium’s theater and play a glow-in-the-dark game using bioluminescent patterns to find deep-sea animals.
A sideshow exhibit features marine creatures with odd traits and behaviors, including the ability to regrow parts or change genders. Meet fish that spit and clams with 1,000 eyes.
A fortuneteller, jugglers and unicyclists will contribute to the festive evening. Keiki interested in dressing up for the circus can be painted with gills, horns, spines or tails at the "Adaptation Station."
Admission to Family Night is $12 per person ($9 for members); children 2 and under get in free. Preregistration is required by calling 440-9011 or emailing reservations@waikikiaquarium.org.
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Nina Wu, Star-Advertiser
