“Home for the Hilodays,” a singing- and dancing-filled holiday extravaganza, is back at the Palace Theater this weekend.
The newly air-conditioned theater in downtown Hilo will celebrate its 97th year with the holiday tradition featuring a star-studded cast.
The show, which will be hosted by Charles Bankhead Haines and Kyden De Sa, was conceived and directed by Haines and Larry Reitzer. It features choreography by Aleah Kay, Jason Aiwohi-Tomlin, Callista Cava, Syerra Ochi and Zane Paresa. Music direction is by Asha Azama and Haines. Steve Peyton will be doing scenic supervision on the background, and Theon Weber will oversee lights and special effects.
“’Home for the HiloDays’ is a celebration, a show that brings the community together to immerse ourselves in the timeless wonders of the holiday season,” Haines said. “Hilo will be so proud to see the incredible home-grown talent singing joyfully and dancing merrily!”
The show was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic when the only live performances could be seen over a screen at home. Now, audiences have a chance to see the large cast and music live in person, or from their home if they please.
The concert will feature a bevy of holiday classics and festive fan favorites such as “Silent Night,” Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” “Mele Kalikimaka,” “Winter Wonderland” as well as a few unexpected surprises.
The show will serve as a fundraiser for the theater and will be a flashback to the old-fashioned, televised holiday specials of the past.
Big Island favorites Mark Yamanaka and Kristian Lei will be featured in the show, along with cast members Kyra Gomes, Payton Sullivan, Bridge Hartman, Sam Deitch and Aleah Kay.
Yamanaka will perform the first night, and Lei will perform the second and third nights of “Home for the Hilodays.”
Joining them will be a special guest: World-class singer and vocal improviser Rhiannon, who recently completed a sold-out European tour with Bobby McFerrin.
“We cannot wait to welcome back all of our Big Island friends and family, old and new, to one of the most beloved events in and around Hilo,” said Phillips Payson, executive director of the Palace. “Only a Scrooge would not want to join in on this incredible line-up of vocalists, musicians and dancers in this spirited ode to the magic of Christmas past and present.”
The Palace also will feature a group of carolers, serenading pre- and post-show audiences with holiday cheer in the decorated lobby while offering eggnog, hot chocolate and other holiday treats for sale in the theater’s Lobby Cafe.
“’Home for the Hilodays’ is a beloved tradition that offers an occasion for the community to gather and celebrate. The music will be joyous, the costumes will be fabulous, and the dancing will be, as always, thrilling,” said director Larry Reitzer.
“Home for the Hilodays” will be performed at 7 p.m. this Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets, which range from $10 to $30, are available now at www.hilopalace.com, at the Palace Box Office, and over the phone at (808) 934-7010 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
