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Kennedy Theatre

Media Release

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

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

July 28, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ANOTHER MUSICAL BY CREATORS OF "THE FANTASTICKS" OPENS KENNEDY THEATRE SEASON

The University of Hawai#i at M~noa’s Department of Theatre & Dance presents "Philemon," a musical comedy-drama directed by Asian Theatre M.F.A. candidate Allyson Paris as the opening production in Kennedy Theatre’s 2004-2005 Prime Time series. Written by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, the team that is best known as the creators of "The Fantasticks," this lost masterpiece is set in ancient Rome and follows the story of a street clown as he changes from heartless swindler to inspirational martyr. "Philemon" will be performed in the Kennedy Theatre’s Earle Ernst Lab Theatre September 1, 2, 3 and 4 at 8:00 p.m. and September 5 at 2:00 p.m. A post-show discussion with director and cast follows the Friday, September 3 performance.

Jones and Schmidt are best known as the creators of America’s longest running musical "The Fantasticks." They also teamed up to write "I Do I Do" which ran on Broadway starring Mary Martin and Robert Preston. For several years they worked on small-scale musicals including "Celebration," which moved to Broadway and "Philemon," which won an Outer Critics Circle Award.

Alvin Chan will play the role of Cockian, the street performer who impersonates the religious leader Philemon, leading to his unexpected change of heart. Chan was last seen in Kennedy Theatre’s Kabuki production of "Nozaki Village" in a memorable performance as the comic Kosuke. James Santos, a UH Manoa music major, will lead the small music ensemble which will consist of piano, synthesizer, and taiko drums. Jungha Han designs the intimate setting which will place the audience around the singers and actors.

Paris previously directed the Late Night Theatre production of "Tongues" and "Savage Love" and also served as the assistant director for "Nozaki Village." She selected this piece, in part, due to the "transformation of the main character and the message of hope (in this world full of seemingly hopeless situations)," but she also cites "the beautiful final song that I just can’t get out of my head…"

Tickets for "Philemon" go on sale at the Kennedy Theatre Box Office on August 30. Ticket prices are $10 regular; $8 seniors, military, UH Faculty/staff, and students; and $3 for UHM students with validated UHM Fall 2004 I.D. For more information, charge-by-phone or disability access, call the Kennedy Theatre box office at 956-7655 (voice/text) during regular box office hours Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A $2 per ticket service charge will be applied to all charge-by-phone sales.

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WHAT: "PHILEMON"

PRESENTED BY: UHM Department of Theatre & Dance

WHEN: September 1, 2, 3, 4 at 8pm
September 5 at 2pm

WHERE: UHM’s Kennedy Theatre Earle Ernst Lab Theatre

TICKET PRICES: $10 regular; $8 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff, non-UHM students; $3 UHM students with valid Fall 2004 UHM ID

TICKETS ON SALE: August 30

TICKET INFO: 956-7655 (voice/text)

 

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