Perform in English and Hoike in Hawaiian Language. Sit in English and Noho in Hawaiian Language. Release in English and Hookuu in Hawaiian Language. Dance in English and Haa in Hawaiian Language. Hide in English and Pee in Hawaiian Language. Memorize in English and Hoopaanaau in Hawaiian Language. Touch in English and Hoopa in Hawaiian Language. Sing in English and Mele in Hawaiian Language. Appear in English and Oili in Hawaiian Language. Dive in English and Luu in Hawaiian Language. Crawl in English and Kolo in Hawaiian Language. Dance in English and Hula in Hawaiian Language. Balance in English and Kaulike in Hawaiian Language. Bellow in English and Kuo in Hawaiian Language. Breathe in English and Hanu in Hawaiian Language. Extend in English and Hoonui in Hawaiian Language. Embrace in English and Puliki in Hawaiian Language. Flinch in English and Kuemi in Hawaiian Language. Sit in English and Noho in Hawaiian Language. Release in English and Hookuu in Hawaiian Language. Dance in English and Haa in Hawaiian Language.
Hide in English and Pee in Hawaiian Language. Memorize in English and Hoopaanaau in Hawaiian Language. Touch in English and Hoopa in Hawaiian Language. Sing in English and Mele in Hawaiian Language. Appear in English and Oili in Hawaiian Language. Dive in English and Luu in Hawaiian Language. Crawl in English and Kolo in Hawaiian Language. Dance in English and Hula in Hawaiian Language. Balance in English and Kaulike in Hawaiian Language. Bellow in English and Kuo in Hawaiian Language. Breathe in English and Hanu in Hawaiian Language. Extend in English and Hoonui in Hawaiian Language. Embrace in English and Puliki in Hawaiian Language. Flinch in English and Kuemi in Hawaiian Language.

The Maiden Benten and the Bandits of the White Waves – MAINSTAGE SEASON

(Benten Musume Meo no Shiranami)

Kabuki – Celebrating 100 years of Kabuki in English at UHM!
Written by Kawatake Mokuami
Translator, Adaptor, and Project Director: Julie A. Iezzi
Artistic Advisor: Ichikawa Monnosuke VIII

April 19-20 & 26-28, 2024 – FRI/SAT 7:30pm & SUN 2:00pm
Pre-Show Chats: 6:45pm before Saturday 4/20 & 4:27 performances

A popular kabuki play, The Maiden Benten and the Bandits of the White Waves, commonly known as Benten Kozō, features five distinctive thieves with a mastery of masquerade, and a command of language from the gutter to the poetically sublime. Together with a full array of colorful kabuki characters, their schemes and back stories lead to shocking revelations, surprising reunions, startling twists and ultimately result in the realization that one cannot escape karma—though in meeting it, one need not abandon spectacle or beauty.

This production celebrates the long tradition of kabuki in Hawaiʻi, and marks the 100th anniversary of English-language kabuki productions at the University of Hawaiʻi as well as Kennedy Theatreʻs 60th birthday. Benten Kozō, presented in the 1963-64 inaugural season, is also a magnificent showcase for the hanamichi, an acting pathway through the audience which fosters an intimacy between actors and audience members. To this day, Kennedy Theatre remains the only theatre in the United States designed with a hanamichi. As in the previous 100 years, we are fortunate and grateful to bring community artists, guest artists from Japan, and UHM faculty, staff and students together to collaborate and ensure that regional “Hawaiʻi kabuki” thrives for the next 100 years.

Acknowledgements
UHF Norma Bird Nichols PhD Asian Theatre Fund
UHF James R. Brandon Memorial Fund
UHF Japanese Theatre Fund
UH Mānoaʻs Chancellorʻs Office
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaiʻi

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE (link will go to etickethawaii.com)

MAINSTAGE SEASON – TICKET PRICES

Regularly Priced Tickets:
$8 UHM Student with current valid UHM ID
$15 Non-UHM Student/Youth
$22 UH Faculty/Staff, Military, Senior
$25 Regular (Adult)

“Throwback Saturday” SAT APR 20, 2024 – prices are from the good ol’ days:
$5 UHM Student
$10 Other Discount Groups
$15 Regular (Adult)

 

RESOURCES
UH News Article – 100 years of Hawaiʻi Kabuki in English
Spectrum News Article – UH Manoa theatrical students train with master kabuki artists
The Sankei Shimbun – “Kabuki” in English Rehearsals
UH News Article – Kabuki music masters guide UH students
YouTube – Kabuki music masters guide UH Students

Dept. of Theatre + Dance
1770 East-West Rd Honolulu HI 96822
Main Office: (808) 956-7677
Box Office: (808) 956-7655