Ala Moana Center
"Magic of the Season" celebrates
Christmas in song and dance.
‘Season’ entertains
By John Berger
Special to the Star-BulletinTAKE Christ out of Christmas and with luck the celebration will be as wholesome and entertaining as "Magic of the Season," the new Christmas, er, holiday, show at Ala Moana Center.
Magic of the Season: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays, through Dec. 21, plus Dec. 22 and 23; Ala Moana Center Centerstage, free. Information: 946-2811
Dustin Sparks and Roslyn Freitas Cartracchia share the credit for this secular celebration. He's producer, director and choreographer; she's musical director. Christine Haatainen's costumes add to the show's substance. Keiki and frazzled parents alike will find it a perfect pick-me-up.
The new production is the first of three interrelated performances that mark the season at Ala Moana. "Magic of the Season" is followed by the fifth edition of "Santa's Light Parade," which proceeds between Liberty House and Sears on the main level. After the parade breaks up, the cast sings carols on another circuit of the center.
Dion Donahue, a multi-talented performer, opens the festivities as Ala Moana's town crier. He introduces a quartet of gorgeously attired Victorian carolers. The carolers are a nice nod to tradition but keiki will find Sparks' big song and dance fantasy numbers more interesting.
Mistress of ceremonies is the petite Mrs. Claus (Andrea Hanckock). "Cookin' Up Christmas" establishes that she's every bit as busy as Santa when it comes to preparing for "this special time of year." The number co-stars Santa's Chef (Patrick Ambler) and features a chorus line of six cute little elf toymakers.
"Made to Order" affirms the joys of receiving perfect toys for Christmas. A teddy bear (Stacey Pulmano) was a favorite with keiki last weekend. Kids also seemed impressed by a mobile Jack-in-the-Box (Sterling Sulieman) and a big toy tugboat (Robert Torigoe). A Raggedy Ann-style doll (Jennifer End) and a ballerina (Kaitlyn Metcalf) add diversity.
"Snow Medley" with Zoey Anguay, Tisha Love, Gary Masuoka, Gary McKoy, Yasmeen Sulieman and Robert Torigoe singing familiar songs about snow and sleigh rides is a highlight. A dancing Frosty (Patrick Ambler) and his wife (Camille Carter) make the number fun for kids.
The final segments suggest that Christmas is about more than getting expensive presents or dashing through the snow. Exactly what that aspect might be isn't stated. Maybe it's the Winter Solstice. Oh well.
John Berger has covered the local
entertainment scene since 1972.
