OPENING

"A'ala Park": Twenty year-old Manny wants to "get off this rock" and make a better life for himself and his girlfriend in this portrayal of a working-class family living in the 1950s. At 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, through June 1, Kumu Kahua Theatre, 6 Merchant St. The May 11 performance will be signed for the deaf. Cost: $10-$15. Call 536-4441.

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest": By Kaiser High School's drama club, 7:30 p.m. May 8-9, Kaiser High School's Little Theater. Cost: $3. Information at 594-6665.

"A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum": Broadway musical comedy featuring music by Stephen Sondheim. Songs include "Comedy Tonight," "Lovely" and "Everybody Ought To Have A Maid." At 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, May 8-24, Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter. Cost: $15-$6. Information at 438-4480.

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CONTINUING

"The Grapes of Wrath": Tony award-winning adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel about an Oklahoma family and their odyssey across country in search for a better life. The University of Hawaii at Manoa's Department of Theatre and Dance presents this Depression-era tale at 8 p.m. May 1-3; and 2 p.m. May 4 at Kennedy Theatre. The May 3 performance will be signed for the deaf and hard of hearing. Cost: $10. Tickets available at 956-7655, 545-4000 or 1-800-333-3388.

"The Wild Baby": Honolulu Theatre for Youth's musical production of the wild and hilarious antics of baby Ben. Ben is naughty, fearless, curious and rambunctious. At 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. May 3 and 10, McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Park. Cost: $10-$5. Call 839-9885.

"Bedtimes and Bullies": Musical story of three children who form a strong friendship in the face of many daily problems. At 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. May 10, and 4:30 p.m. May 3, McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Park. Cost: $10-$5. Call 839-9885.

"Is There A Doctor In the House?": Three one-act comedies about doctors by the Mid-Pacific School of the Arts. At 3:45 p.m. Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 4 p.m. Sundays, May 1-11, Kawaiha'o Recital Hall, Mid-Pacific Institute Campus. Cost: $5. Reservations at 973-5071.

"South Pacific": Pulitzer prize winning romantic musical performed by the Castle Performing Arts Center. Love affair between a Navy nurse (Kathleen Stuart and Emile de Becque) and an exiled Frenchman (Jordan Shanahan) who become closely attached despite their age difference. Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Tickets: $12-$15. Tickets available at Harry's Music, Fly Away Holidays or the Bright Theatre in Kaneohe. At 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through May 3. Reservations at 524-0807 or 233-5626.

"Border": Play by Elizabeth Wray focuses on the use of sound by the actors and on the nomadic themes of American life, 11:10 p.m., May 2-3, Earle Ernst Lab Theatre. Presented by UH-Manoa's Department of Theatre and Dance. Cost: $5-$3. Call 956-7655.

"Angels in America": 1993 Pulitzer prize winning drama about the breakup of a married Mormon couple and a "married" gay couple. Tickets: $28-$30. At 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, and 4 p.m. Sundays. Play runs through May 11. Reservations at 988-6131.

Hawaii Pacific University Theatre: "A Midsummer Night's Dream," 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays, through May 11, Hawaii Pacific University Theatre, 45-045 Kamehameha Highway. Tickets: $10. Reservations required. Call 254-0853 or 233-3167.

"Brainstormers": By "Loose Screws," an improvisational theatre troupe, 8 p.m. through April 26, Leeward Community College Lab Theatre. Every show will be different based on audience input. Features Michelle de la Cruz, R. Kevin Doyle, Julia Gilman, Sean T.C. O'Malley, Tony Pisculli, Stephanie Sanchez and Shannon Wingpenny under the direction of Sean T.C. O'Malley. Tickets: $8-$10. Call 536-2416.

"Laughter on the 23rd Floor": Asatad presents a play by Neil Simon that recreates the mayhem and non-stop gags of a team of comedy writers as they hammer out a weekly TV show. Simon gives insight into the creative process of people like Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Steve Allen. At 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, through May 3, Church of the Crossroads, Weaver Hall. Tickets: $10-$15. Call 247-6939.

"Wishes & Wings": An animated musical adventure for the whole family. The production will introduce several of Hawaii's endangered species including the monk seal, green sea turtle and Pu'eo. At 6 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through June 15, Ala Moana Center's New Makai Market Pavilion. Free. Call 672-9585.

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DANCE

Black Umfolosi: A Zimbabwe group performs a mixture of traditional Zulu war dances and "imbube" songs from southern Africa, 7:30 p.m. May 2, Brigham Young University, McKay Auditorium. Cost: $4-$15. Information at 293-3545.

Ballet recital: School of Hawaii State Ballet annual student performance, 3 p.m. May 3-4, Mamiya Theatre, St. Louis High School. Cost: $12. Call 947-2755. Tickets also available at the door.

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SPECIAL

Original play festival: The Aloha Performing Arts Center are accepting scripts for their fourth annual original play festival. Entries can be on any subject and any length but they should not have been produced before. Plays selected will be given royalty-free staged readings in August at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu. The selected plays will also be publicized as part of the festival. To enter, submit two typewritten copies of each entry with name, address and phone number clearly visible on the first page of each entry. Send entries to: APAC Original Paly Festival, P.O. Box 794, Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750. Deadline: June 13. Call (808) 322-9924 (Big Island).

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AUDITIONS

"Once Upon One Noddah Time": Auditions for Lisa Matsumoto's pidgin-speaking weave of fairy tales, 6 to 10 p.m. May 2, and 2 to 6 p.m. May 3, Diamond Head Theatre Rehearsal Hall. Auditioners should prepare one song, verse and chorus, no longer than one minute, selected to show vocal range and quality, or humor and character. Karaoke tape preferred for the audition. Auditioneers also must prepare one joke or short comic monologue, preferable using the dialect of the desired role. Rehearsals begin May 12. Play runs July 11-27. Information at 734-8763.

"Imagination": Ala Moana Center is looking for children ages seven and above to sing and dance in their ongoing play. Singers meet, 6 p.m. May 2; 10 a.m. May 3; and 4 p.m. May 4, Ala Moana Center Exhibition area, behind Centerstage. Dancers meet, 6:30 p.m. May 4. Bring a current photo and resume; sheet music or instrumental cassette to one upbeat song and one ballad; appropriate dance shoes and dancewear. Information at 672-9585.

Honolulu Theatre For Youth: Paid acting positions available for the 1997-98 season, noon to 6 p.m. May 9, and noon to 4 p.m. May 10, Rehearsal Hall, 2846 Ualena St. Appointments required. Call 839-9885.

ASATAD Productions: Looking for seven men to perform in "Love! Valour! Compassion!" a Tony Award-winning comedy about a group of friends gathering to get away from it all. Script requirements include adult language and partial nudity. Some characters may need dance training. Auditions from 2 to 5 p.m. May 24, Leeward Community College's Lab Theater (downstairs), and 7 to 9 p.m. May 25, Leeward Community College's auditorium, main stage. Scripts available for perusal (on premises only), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 19-23, Church of the Crossroads. Information at 247-6939.