HTY’s ‘Extraordinary Stories’ encourages family interaction

When families gather to celebrate Christmas, the time is perfect for family members to share their stories — maybe stories handed down from previous generations, maybe stories that haven’t been told before.

Honolulu playwright (and Honolulu Star-Advertiser columnist) Lee Cataluna hopes Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s first-ever production of her newest play, “Extraordinary Stories From an Ordinary ‘Ohana,” will inspire lots of family storytelling. The play features characters from her recently published book, “Ordinary ‘Ohana,” and at the center of it is a boy named Kainoa who comes from a vibrant and unusual family.

“When I taught creative writing at ‘Iolani School, I found that when students drew inspiration from their families, that was often the best, most vibrant writing they did all year and the most fun they had writing,” Cataluna said earlier this week. “I loved reading their stories and was struck with how varied kids’ definition of ‘family’ can be. The stories in the play are mostly fiction, though a few were inspired by my extended ohana and a huge family reunion we had 10 years ago.”

HTY director Nathaniel Niemi and a cast of six bring Cataluna’s characters to life on a colorful set designed by Cheyne Gallarde, the illustrator of Cataluna’s book.

“I think that stories like these beget stories,” Cataluna said. “They bring out memories and sharpen powers of observation. I hope children and grown-ups will think about characters and traditions within their own family and reflect on what makes them both ordinary and extraordinary.”

AT A GLANCE

>> What it’s about: As Christmas approaches, Kainoa discovers that the members of his “ordinary ohana” have many extraordinary stories to share.

>> Morals and messages: The most treasured things that can be passed down in a family are stories that say, “This is who we are together.”

>> Parental advisory: Nothing to worry about. Nothing scary, no toilet humor, no one gets hurt.

>> Kid-pleaser aspects: An elaborate set reminiscent of the old “Laugh-In” wall of windows but updated. Colorful characters like a mother with psychic powers and Grandma Aunty Cousin Tita, who makes coconut cake for every family party. HTY fan favorite Junior Tesoro’s energetic performance as Kainoa’s uncle.

>> Age recommendation: 6 and up, but written to entertain adults, too.

>> Run time: 50 minutes.