“Wordsworth, The Musical,” based on the popular children’s books by Big Island author Frances H. Kakugawa, is premiering at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Performing Arts Center this weekend.
The stage production was written by Jackie Pualani Johnson, and award-winning musician Wendell Ing composed the music. UH-Hilo professor Justina Mattos is directing.
The tale will entertain the entire family. Wordsworth is a mouse-poet who is made fun of by other mice. That is, until the sun disappears, the sky rumbles and rain relentlessly falls.
Wordsworth now must show everyone how poetry can get anyone through dark times.
Last year, the Performing Arts Center presented the Hawaiian language version of the play in a virtual format to audiences during the Hawaiian Language Festival.
“We’re so excited to present this musical to a live audience,” Pualani Johnson said. “I hope the kids get so excited to see the color on stage and watch a familiar story come to life.”
The cast, featuring students and community members of all ages, will tell the story through song and dance in the lush forest setting with playful, colorful props all designed by UH-Hilo resident designer Ariana Bassett.
Dance instructor Kea Kapahua’s choreography with the UH-Hilo Dance Ensemble will bring a fantastical circus, a magical flight of butterflies and a touching waltz to life.
Kamehameha Schools Hawaii senior Kamau Beaudet will play Wordsworth, and Pualani Johnson will play Tutu, Wordsworth’s ailing grandmother.
“Wordsworth the Poet” is a musical for all ages. Those interested can reserve seating with tickets priced at $20 for general admission, $15 for discounted tickets, and $7 for UH-Hilo and HCC students and youth 17 years and under.
The show will run this weekend only with show times at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets are available by phone at the UH-Hilo Box Office at (808) 932-7490 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays, or online at artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu.