The University of Hawai‘i at M~noa’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents "Pandora & The Seven Deadly Sins," an original mask drama directed by Asian Theatre M.F.A. candidate Cassandra Wormser. Pandora’s adventurous spirit propels this darkly funny play inspired by vaudeville and Balinese mask drama. "Pandora & The Seven Deadly Sins" will be performed in the Kennedy Theatre Earle Ernst Lab Theatre on March 30, 31 and April 1, 2 at 8:00p.m. and April 3 at 2:00p.m. A post-show rap follows the Friday, April 1 performance.

This original script by Paul Wood and Wormser takes place in a mundane world untouched by evil, when the first woman is created. The play follows her discovery of what it is to be human. Revealed to her in an "Alice in Wonderland"-like fashion, she happens upon a vaudevillian show where a playful but menacing cast of characters entertain. Pandora then struggles with the question of how to achieve balance in the world after the sins are released.

"Pandora" is dedicated to late Maui artist Beverly Tresan, the designer of the ten remarkable masks featured in the production. More that a decade after her passing, Tresan’s wish that the masks be used in a local theatre production will finally be fulfilled. Painted by Nichola Moss, these masks enrich the characters of Pandora, Deceit, Pride, Lust, Anger, Envy, Greed, Regret and Hope, and served as artistic inspiration to the script’s co-writers, Wood and Wormser.

Wood, a seasoned Maui writer/poet and the author of the story collections "Four Wheels, Five Corners" and "False Confessions," also hosts the "Open Mouth, Open Mind" radio show on Mana’o Radio. Wormser is an active performer and director at Kennedy Theatre. Her recent directorial credits include "The Yellow Wallpaper" and "Agamemnon" for the Late Night Series.

The Earle Ernst Theatre will be transformed into a new configuration for this production. Utilizing the flexible seating installed last season, the audience will be in an "L" shaped orientation. "Pandora" will be further enhanced by a Balinese gamelan ensemble (an orchestra of brass and percussion instruments) led by I Made Sumayasa which will bring live music to the production. Larger-than-life puppets created by Pawaluk Suraswadi will also be featured in the performance.

Tickets for "Pandora & The Seven Deadly Sins" go on sale Monday, March 28. Prices are $10 regular, $8 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff, non-UHM students, $3 UHM students with validated Spring 05 UHM ID. Tickets may be charged-by-phone at 956-7655 (voice/text) or purchased at the Kennedy Theatre Box Office Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A $2 service charge will be applied to all charge-by-phone sales. For more information or disability access, call the Kennedy Theatre Box Office at 956-7655 (voice/text).

WHEN: March 30, 31 and April 1*, 2 at 8pm
April 3 at 2pm
*post-show rap

WHERE: UHM’s Earle Ernst Lab Theatre