U.S. debut of "The Curse of Asatira" at Paliku Theatre

Posted: Oct 12, 2012

Director and Windward Community College Theatre Instructor Nick Logue and students bring to Hawai‘i’s theatre stage in its U.S. debut “The Curse of Asatira” for one weekend only with performances on Friday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 20, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, October 21, at 2 p.m. at Palikū Theatre in Kaneohe.

 

Tickets are just $5.00 for all and available for purchase at Palikū Theatre Box Office. Charge by phone at 235-7310, Monday–Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Free parking is available.

 

The all-student production is part of the Theatre 260 course offered at Windward CC this fall. Students take on all the roles necessary for the production, from cast and crew to assistant director, fight captain, publicist and set designer, working hard for not only a great show, but a grade as well.

 

Written by Logue and the Trojan Pony Theatre Company, “The Curse of Asatira” portrays a society in the midst of major upheaval and unrest from the viewpoint of those most intimately involved. Love struggles against cruelty and underhanded tactics while a people struggle against the traditions of their society and the fear of change, but both must come to the same conclusion in the dramatic, action packed finale.

 

While preparations for the final anniversary to the cursed mask of Asatira are underway, rebels rally against the oppressive regime of the holy Nevad, an order of religious leaders who have grown rich off of tributes offered to the Mask of Asatira over the last 200 years. This year marks the curse’s end, and the Nevad tries to hold onto his power even as the curse comes to a close. One woman has seen enough starvation and misery under his rule, and leads a band of revolutionaries into a violent struggle for the future of their society.

 

While history is forged in blood and speeches, a mosaic of society unfolds – as the revolution and backlash wreak havoc on the lives of eight people. A bastard daughter, a spurned wife, a reluctant concubine, a veteran soldier and two young idealistic lovers are caught in the crossfire. As tensions rise, and the end of Asatira’s curse draws near, society’s culture hangs in the balance. Can a people break the shackles of their culture, and escape the crimes of their past?

 

For more information about theatre classes at Windward CC, contact Nick Logue at logue@hawaii.edu.