The recent storm that disrupted electricity across the state and left more than 217,000 people in the dark, created complications for leaders of several community theaters on Oʻahu.
Rescheduled shows
Diamond Head Theatre canceled three productions of its musical “West Side Story” this weekend, including opening night, which had been set for Friday, March 13, as well as two shows that had been scheduled for Saturday, March 14. The show opened two days later than originally planned, on Sunday, March 15.
“We prioritize safety, and so that has to be the No. 1 thing,” Trevor Tamashiro, executive director of Diamond Head Theatre told ASD. “And not only the safety of our cast and crew and volunteers, but also of our community and our patrons. That's the first thing we look at. It just wasn't safe for people to get here.”
Theater staff made the decision on Thursday to cancel the show on Friday. Then, they decided on Friday to cancel the shows on Saturday. Diamond Head Theatre added an extra show on Friday, April 10, which is not open to the public and gives those who planned to attend canceled performances an opportunity to see the musical on a new date.
“We allow them to move into any show,” Tamashiro said. “We try to give our patrons flexibility in tickets in general, so they were able to move into other performances.”
The storm also impacted theater facilities.
“Everyone had their own personal issues with the flooding, but the theater, we did have some leaks in the theater that we have to fix,” he said. “The staff really jumped in and helped, and the technical crew, as well, jumped in to help keep things going.”
When asked how much those repairs would cost, Tamashiro said, “We don't know yet."
Old roof, new leaks
Mānoa Valley Theatre canceled some rehearsals for its upcoming show “Spring Awakening,” which opens March 19. The theater was already in need of a new roof but the recent storm caused some leaks, Executive Director Kathleen Young told ASD.
“We did have some roof leakage, which we're an old building and we're actually in the process of planning a roof for replacement, but that gave us some concern,” she said.
Young did not know the cost of repairs for the new damage, though, previous damage caused by weather recently created about $3,000 in damage that had to be repaired before the opening of “Dial M for Murder,” she added.
“Spring Awakening” is set to open in just a few days.
“We're super excited,” she said.
Lost revenue
The Actors’ Group, which performs at The Brad Powell Theatre located at The Shops at Dole Cannery, had to cancel performances due to the inclement weather. Its current production “Fire Pit,” which had its world debut at the theater this month, was scheduled to run from Friday, March 6, through Sunday, March 22.
“Our play ʻFire Pit’ by Lee Cataluna is running right now, and we had to cancel Friday and Saturday because of we just didn't want people driving in it —our patrons and our cast and crew,” said Laurie Tanoura, the theater’s managing director. “One of the cast members lives in Waialua, and it was really bad up there, so we didn't want her to have to drive in. And I live in Waiʻanae, so I was really glad I didn't have to drive in. But everybody is fine now.”
Since the floods at The Shops at Dole Cannery a few years ago, Castle & Cook installed flood barriers in front of the doors and there was no flooding at the theater this past weekend, she added.
“We're good, except for losing revenue those two days,” Tanoura said. “But they were really small audiences anyway, probably because of the storm.”
TAG looked into adding additional shows, but could not extend the production due to a scheduling conflict for a cast member who is already set to appear in another production. Ticketholders for the canceled shows got their money back or were allowed to switch their seats to another performance.
“Everyone that asked was refunded,” Tanoura said. “Anybody that asked to change the date was rescheduled.”
ʻThe show must go on’
Kumu Kahua Theatre held rehearsals for “Blu’s Hanging,” which is based on the novel by Lois-Ann Yamanaka, as usual during the storm, although a few actors couldn’t make it, said Donna Blanchard, the theater’s managing director. The show is set to open on Thursday, March 26.
“We don't have a show running currently, so it only impacted our rehearsals a little,” Blanchard said. “The theater is safe. The building is sound.”
Previously, the theater has had ticket holders call in and say they are worried about traveling in inclement weather. Sometimes, staff have been able to switch their tickets to another night.
“If they feel unsafe getting out on the road, then we'll try to move the ticket to a better night for them, if possible,” she said, adding that in show business, there is a motto that rings true.
“ʻThe show must go on’ — that really is real and pretty universal among theaters,” Blanchard said. “There were times, like during Covid, that we had to cancel shows. On a rare occasion, we've canceled a show because someone in a very small cast was ill. But in general, if there's a way to keep things going — we do have to have electricity — but if there's a way to keep things going we will. ... We just always want to make sure everybody is safe, so we don't want anybody traveling on unsafe roads or in hurricane winds or anything like that.”
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
