Kumu Kahua Theatre debuts “Smother”

A drama that explores the complicated relationship between a mother and daughter has taken the stage at Kumu Kahua Theatre. The story was written by playwright Sara Ward, who works in the theater’s box office and wrote most of the story on site, while audiences enjoyed performances that were in session — and she had a few precious hours of free time.

Sara Ward is a props designer and the box office manager for Kumu Kahua Theatre. Now, she can add playwright to her resume, following performances of “Smother,” which had its world premiere at Kumu Kahua Theatre on Thursday, Aug. 28.

“Smother” tells the story of a mother who goes to extreme lengths to control her daughter’s love life. The show, which starts the season for Kumu Kahua Theatre, runs Aug. 28 through Sept. 28. Get tickets.

It is directed by Harry Wong III and showcases Shannon Winpenny as Marcia, the mother, along with Kirstyn Trombetta as her daughter, Julia. Other featured actors include Kenia Chacon, Andrew Chow, Daron Gaskin, Alysia-Leila Kepa‘a, Kirk Alexander Lapilio, Kris10 Misaki and Jackie Young.

“We've had good crowds and a lot of good reaction — a lot of laughter — which makes me very happy,” Ward told Aloha State Daily.

On Sept. 12, the theater will launch its first Kumu Kahua Theatre Ladies Night, which allows attendees to buy one ticket and get a second one for free to that night’s performance by using the code “LADIES” at the box office or online. The code can be used by ladies or men, she added. The nearby Black Shamrock Tavern will also offer a themed drink that evening called the Ginpenny Cocktail, which includes gin and limeaid, for $6.

Ward wrote most of the script in the evenings, when she had a few hours of free time while audience members enjoyed theater performances.

Playwright Sara Ward and Director Harry Wong III on the opening night of "Smother." (Kumu Kahua Theatre)

From there, she asked friends to read the lines of the different characters, so she could assess if it was conversational.

The idea for the play was originally developed with the help of several of Kumu Kahua Theatre’s free writing workshops. Originally, Ward had been planning to write a story inspired by a group chat with family during the pandemic. One of her playwriting teachers, Lee Tonouchi, read a few scenes from that play and suggested she focus on the interactions with her daughter.

“And so I decided to take one of the scenes from that play with me and my daughter, and I made that into a whole two-hour play,” she said.

So far, mothers and fathers have told her that they identify with the characters, she said. Performances start at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Get tickets.

Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.