'Sonnets for an Old Century' kicks off Kennedy's Late Night Series

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Matthew Kelty, (808) 956-2598
Publicity Office, Kennedy Theatre
Posted: Sep 14, 2012

The cast
The cast
Geovante Joseph
Geovante Joseph
UH Manoa's Department of Theatre and Dance will begin its 2012-13 Late Night Theatre season with “Sonnets for an Old Century,” directed by MFA directing candidate Brittni Michele Shambaugh. The play will be presented at the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre at 11 p.m. on September 21, 22, 28 and 29, and will combine theater, dance and music to cater to all of the audience’s senses in a moving exploration of life after death.

Written by award-winning playwright José Rivera, “Sonnets for an Old Century” is a collection of monologues reflecting individuals’ last thoughts before crossing into the beyond. Characters discuss everything from the people they’re going to miss to the individuals who ruined their lives. They talk about seemingly trivial moments from before their death, as well as their biggest regrets and the things that they wish they could have fixed before passing on.

The production fits with the Late Night mission: Present theater not otherwise available to Honolulu audiences, by producing challenging works from some of today's most dynamic playwrights. This might include new scripts by student playwrights, and even devised work generated by the ensemble.
 
The series is managed by students and is deliberately kept low-budget and “low-tech” in order to place the emphasis squarely on students’ developing acting and directing skills.

This production of “Sonnets for an Old Century” utilizes its multi-talented cast to create moments onstage that are dynamic and visually stunning, sometimes hilarious and sometimes painful. “I was so lucky to get such a creative and diverse cast of actors, dancers, singers — even a mathematician!” says director Shambaugh. “It’s been an amazing process in which collaboration has been key, and I am so pleased with what we’ve been able to create together. The performers have really thrown themselves into this piece – literally and metaphorically – and I truly believe that their passion has elevated the project.”

Shambaugh stresses that although this show takes place in the afterlife, it is not a show about death, but rather about appreciating and enjoying life. “I don’t want audience members to walk away from the production feeling drained or depressed. I want them to leave feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to go out and truly experience life.”

Tickets for “Sonnets for an Old Century” will go on sale at the box office one hour before show time each night. Prices are $10 for general admission; $8 for UH faculty and staff, seniors, military, and non-UHM students; and $5 for students with a validated Fall 2012 UHM photo ID. All service fees are included in ticket price. Latecomers will not be admitted once the performance has begun.
 
For more information, including disability access, please call Kennedy Theatre at (808) 956-7655.
 
 
EVENT: “Sonnets for an Old Century”
PRESENTED BY: UHM Department of Theatre and Dance
WHEN: Sept. 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 11 p.m.
WHERE: Earle Ernst Laboratory Theatre
@ UHM’s Kennedy Theatre
1770 East-West Road, Honolulu
TICKET PRICES:
$10 general admission
$8 seniors / military / UH Faculty and staff / non-UH students
$5 UHM students with validated Fall 2012 UHM photo ID
All service fees are included in ticket price.
PURCHASE INFO: Tickets will be available at the Kennedy Theatre box office one hour before show time each night of the production. Latecomers will not be seated once the performance has begun.

For more information, visit: http://www.hawaii.edu/kennedy/