Enduring frequent moves, having to make new friends and missing a parent who is deployed — such heartfelt stories about the experiences of children in military families inspired Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s newest production, “Home of the Brave,” opening Friday at Tenney Theatre. The play, written by Honolulu Star-Advertiser columnist Lee Cataluna, offers something for all families.
“For civilian families, there is much to learn and admire about how these children handle things like change and uncertainty, being new to a place and making a home wherever they’re stationed,” Cataluna said. “For military families, I think there is a deep pride in seeing their lives reflected in a professional theatrical piece.”
The creative team on this project spent more than two years visiting schools near or on military bases in Hawaii and San Diego, Calif., and listening to hundreds of children share their stories.
Christina Uyeno, who plays “Jada” in the production, said her favorite parts of the play are the opening and ending scenes, both of which are choral pieces with lines from children who were interviewed, set to music.
“I can picture every person whose voice is included in those lines,” Uyeno said. “I send my own little prayer out to each one. I love those scenes because they begin and end a story that is about light and togetherness.”
For Cataluna, one of the show’s highlights is an emotional scene in which a girl talks about notes she hides in her father’s uniform before he leaves for deployment.
“(It) makes me cry every time I see it no matter how many times I’ve seen it,” Cataluna said.
The production toured last year in San Diego, where that scene made a room of Marines cry, she said.
“It’s from a story three sisters in Hawaii told us. The sisters didn’t cry when they told us the story, but their father did,” Cataluna said. “It was the most beautiful story I’ve ever heard.”
“HOME OF THE BRAVE”
Presented by Honolulu Theatre for Youth
>> Where: Tenney Theatre, The Cathedral of Saint Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Square
>> When: 7 p.m. Friday and 4:30 p.m. Saturdays (Feb. 9, 16 and 23); sensory friendly/ASL performance and HTY for Every Family Pay-What-You-Can performance 11 a.m. Feb. 23
>> Cost: $10-$20; military discounts available (for ages 7 and older)
>> Info: 839-9885, htyweb.org
