Kennedy Theatre

Media Release

Department of Theatre and Dance
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
1770 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822

Contact: Kristy Miller, Publicity Director
Phone: (808) 956-2598
Fax: (808) 956-4234
Box Office: (808) 956-7655 (v/t)
email: theatre-pr@hawaii.edu

April 19, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“CHASE: A HIP-HOP THEATRE PRODUCTION” CLOSES LATE NIGHT SEASON WITH REVOLUTION AND FANTASY"

The University of Hawai’i at Manoa’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents ”Chase: A Hip-Hop Theatre Production," conceived and directed by MFA Directing student Cee (Cristian E. Ellauri). Chase and his friends use hip-hop to break the chains of conformity and discover a new way of life. "Chase: A Hip-Hop Theatre Production " makes its world premiere as it ends the 11th season of the Earle Ernst Lab’s Late Night Theatre and will play April 25, 26, May 2, 3 at 11pm.

The performance’s driving form of communication is the beat of hip-hop. Much of the dialogue is rap and mixed with the rhythm of a full band –– guitar, saxophone, didgery-do, and chorus. Director and cast have linked forces and local poet Ka’Aloha (Steve Wong), who plays the leading role of Chase, in developing the rap language of the play. Break dancing and the Brazilian martial arts form called Capoeira create exciting and interesting movement for this play.

This fantasy takes place in a "Matrix" type reality where people are covered in gray and they can not see or feel their true self. Chase and his sister Derrius manage to break free from this imprisonment and face the challenges of freeing their friends. Derrius believes in order to win she must use violence and manipulation. Chase learns from a wise shaman that only through the power of love and understanding is a better world possible. The good and the bad battle it out in a battle of rap/hip-hop poetry like Eminem sings on MTV.
A Post-Show Rap in which the audience is invited to discuss the play and rehearsal process with the director, playwright, and performers is scheduled to immediately follow the Friday night performances.

Tickets for "Chase: A Hip-Hop Theatre Production " will go on sale one hour before curtain each night of the production at the door of the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre. Ticket prices are $7 Regular, $6 Discount for students, seniors, military, and UH faculty/staff, and $3 for UHM students with validated Spring 2003 Student ID. Latecomers will not be admitted once the performance has begun. For more information or disability access, call the Kennedy Theatre Box Office at 956-7655 (v/t.)

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"Chase”

Friday April 25 11pm*

Saturday April 26 11pm

Friday May 2 11pm*

Saturday May 3 11pm

*Post Show Rap

$7 Regular

$6 Non-UHM Student, Senior, Military, UH, Faculty and Staff

$3 UHM Student with Valid Spring 2003 ID