The legendary tale of Hi‘iaka, historically part of the Hawaiian oral tradition and notably passed on from generation to generation through song and dance, has been honed and developed as an eventual spectacle on Broadway. It’s been on the burner since 2019, and final auditions are ahead to cast the production.
The spectacle is due to debut on Broadway this October, with details still forthcoming.
The Hawaiian story has all the epic elements of high drama, based on the goddess Hi‘iaka – full name, Hi‘iakaikapoliopele – whose quest is to find her sister Pele’s dream lover, restore him to life, and deliver him safely to Pele, the volcano goddess at her crater home on the Big Island. With Pele among the characters, there should be some explosive eruptions of sorts.
Of course, it is not a simple journey filled with ordeals and dangers, but one very much alive with a very human retelling of love and lust, with challenges of jealousy and justice, with deities and chiefs, commoners and demons, and a potential fall out of the two sisters.
Essentially, the story is about two goddesses, who happen to be sisters, and thus boasts grandeur as well as grace. It is storytelling with cultural impact, with collaborative input by the legendary stage and film visionary Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Godspell,” “Pippin,” “Children of Eden,” “The Prince of Egypt”), Broadway guidance by stage producer Michael Jackowitz {“How To Succeed in Business Without ReallyTrying,” “tick, tick, Booml”) and stalwart Hawaiians Roslyn Catracchio (music and lyrics) and Patrick Makuakane (choregraphy, music and lyrics). Keali’i Reichel (multi Na Hoku Hanahano Award winner, recording artist and kumu hula) was an advisor in preliminary development of the show, along with Schwartz).
The production, earlier utilzing the title “Hi’iaka,” now boasts a formal new name, “The Epic Tale of Hi‘iaka: A New Hawaiian Musical.” The operative word is “Hawaiian.” The story will be told – with a roster of vivid and atmospheric Hawaiian songs, dances, and chants – and performed by a cast of Hawaiian artists on both sides of the limelight.
Once cast. “Hi’iaka” will loom as a mammoth cultural spectacle with pulsating and harmonizing vocals rendered in traditional Hawaiian, with choreography and costuming unlike anything ever seen and heard on the Great White Way.
Applicants should designate voice range and roles sought; audition documents and head shots must be submitted by Feb. 15, with call backs to follow. Email applications to castinghiiaka@gmail.com
The creative team boasts remarkable star-studded notables:
- Book, Music and Lyrics: Roslyn Catracchia and Patrick Makuakane.
- Original Story: Ho’oulumahiehie.
- Hawaiian Consultant: Puakea Nogelmeier.
- Stage Director: Scott Schwartz.
- Choreographer: Patrick Makuakane.
- Scenic Designer: Kevin Depinet.
- Costume Designer: Manaola.
- Music Supervisor: Brad Haak.
- Orchestrations and Instrumental Track Production: David Kauahikaua.
- Hawaiian Music Advisor: Shawn Pimental.
- Musical Arrangements: David Kauahikaua and Brad Haak.
- Producers: Michael Jackowitz for WitzEnd Productions and Kuhio Lewis for Hawaiian Council.
- Associate Director: Melanie Lockyer.
- Associate Choreographer: Christine Yasunaga.
- Costume Coordinator: Maile Speetjens.
- Preliminary Artwork: Solomon Enos.
- Keyart by Mance Creative for Rubicon Theatre Company.
- State of Hawaii Tourism/Creative Industries Division Consultant: Georja Skinner.
- Marketing: NMG Networks.
- PR Consultant: Adrian Kamali‘i.
- Casting Director: Aubrey Lee Staley
- Advisors During Development: Keali’i Reichel and Stephen Schwartz.
Footnotes:
Prolific author: Ho‘oulumāhiehie, credited as original story writer, was a prolific Hawaiian (The Epic Tale of Hi‘iakaikapoliopele), which ran in the newspaper Ka Na‘i Aupuni in 1905–1906. His 500-page narrative is renowned for containing 375 chants, and vivid portrayal of the goddess Pele and the scholar and author was best known for chronicling the epic saga Ka Mo‘olelo o Hi‘iakaikapoliopeler, sister Hi‘iaka.
Father and Son: Stephen Schwartz (“Wiz” icreaator) is the father of Scott Schwartz.
Principal roles:
- Hi’iaka, the youngest of the sisters and the favorite of Pele.
- Pele, the volcano goddess.
- Lohiau, chief of Kauai and Pele’s lover.Hopoe, Hi ‘iaka’s best friend.
- Wahine: Hi ‘ika’s most trusted ally and traveling companion.
- Kane: God of procreation…
‘Chicago’ returns to Broadway’s Top 10
“Chicago,” one of the longest-running Broadway hits, surged its way to No. 7 this week – a remarkable return to the charts.
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” continues to be Broadway’s top-grossing play, earning $2.339 million for the week ending Feb. 8.
“Chicago” landied at No 7.
The Top 10:
1—”Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $2.339 million
2—”Hamilton,” $1.848 million
3—”Wicked,” $1.596 million
4—”The Lion King,” $1.514 million
5—”Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” $1.400 million
6—”Chess,” $1.379 million
7—”Chicago,” $1.316 million
8—”Just in Time,” $1.314 million
9—”Oedipus,” $1.212 million
10—“Ragtime,” $1.090 million
The complete list, courtesy the Broadway Guild:
And that’s Show Biz…