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“KOREAN CINDERELLA” KICKS OFF HTY SEASON
Honolulu Theatre for Youth kicks off its new season with a reboot of one of its most beloved productions of all time, “A Korean Cinderella,” opening Friday at Tenney Theatre.
The play is a new telling of the popular Korean folktale, “Kongji and Patji,” Korea’s traditional version of the classic “Cinderella” tale. Written by Alvin Chan and last produced in 2013, the new hour-long musical play returns with additional songs and dances.
The show introduces families to both traditional and contemporary Korean art forms, said director Eric Johnson.
“To tell the story, we use traditional drumming, dancing and masks while embracing a modern K-pop sensibility,” Johnson said. “The story is accessible to all ages and great fun for those familiar with Korean culture and those brand new to the delights of K-drama, flashy dance numbers and the more traditional influences.”
“A Korean Cinderella” is a story of empowerment, focused less on romantic love and more on the qualities of generosity and resilience, leading to a strong, independent person, Johnson said.
“Kongji is a hero for a modern audience,” Johnson said, “and she’s got some amazing dance moves.”
“A KOREAN CINDERELLA”
>> Where: Tenney Theatre, The Cathedral of Saint Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Square
>> When: 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Sunday and 4:30 p.m. Aug. 24 and 31 and Sept. 7 and 14 (ASL interpretation available 11 a.m. Sept. 14)
>> Cost: $10-$20
>> Info: 839-9885, htyweb.org
WAIKIKI GOES ‘TO THE DOGS’ NEXT WEEK
Two words: surfing pets. Check them out at the Going to the Dogs SurFur ComPETition, Tuesday at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki.
“We have all sizes of dogs, from chihuahuas to mastiffs, all skill levels and types of waveriding, and we even have a surfing duck this year,” said contest organizer Kelli Bullock Hergert.
Presented by pet store Calvin & Susie, the event is part of Duke’s OceanFest, a water sports festival Saturday to Aug. 25 in Waikiki.
“The Kahanamoku family used to surf with their dogs in Waikiki, so dog surfing at Duke’s OceanFest is one more way to honor the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku and share his Aloha Spirit,” said Hergert, who is also a Duke’s OceanFest board member.
If you feel like getting in on the action with your water-loving pet — pigs and cats have competed in the past, too — spaces are still open for competitors, Hergert added. The two divisions are for solo animals and human/animal tandem teams.
“All levels of skill are welcome as long as the human and animal are comfortable in the water and on the board,” she said.
Otherwise, visitors (who are are asked to leave non-competing animals at home) can just enjoy the fun from the beach and even meet some of the surfing pets.
“Kids and spectators can come meet the competitors at our Duke’s OceanFest site before and after the event,” Hergert said.
GOING TO THE DOGS SURFUR COMPETITION
>> Where: Baby Queens surfbreak at Kuhio Beach, near the Duke Kahanamoku statue on Kalakaua Avenue
>> When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday
>> Cost: Free to watch, $40 to compete (limited to 30 entries)
>> Info: dukesoceanfest.com/index.php/events/surfur
“HIDE AND SEEK IN HAWAI’I” CELEBRATES 20 YEARS IN PRINT
A new generation of eagle-eyed kids can try their hand (eyes?) seeking iconic Hawaii items — a lei needle, geckos and honu, to name a few — in the 20th anniversary edition of “Hide and Seek in Hawai‘i: A Picture Game for Keiki.”
The book, first released in 1999, features colorful and detailed photo spreads with fun rhymes instructing keiki what to find, from shells and coins to letters and fish hooks. A helpful glossary of dozens of Hawaiian words is also included in the back of the book.
Two additional volumes were released in the early 2000s. The new anniversary edition is a compilation of the best of the three books.
“HIDE AND SEEK IN HAWAI’I: A PICTURE GAME FOR KEIKI”
Text and art direction by Jane and Ian Gillespie, photography by Ray Wong (Mutual Publishing, $14.95)
mutualpublishing.com
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