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Orson Welles is remembered by those of a certain age as the guy who would sell no wine before its time. The evolution of Roland Cazimero's "Pele" from controversial theme album to fully developed costumed and choreographed musical is moving at a pace that would try even Welles' patience. ‘Pele’ musical lights up
stage after 2 decadesBy John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.comCazimero -- Boz, for short -- wrote and recorded songs, narrative passages and a 38-second musical "interlude" for release on his first solo album in 1979. "Pele" was ignored at the 1980 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards despite having several songs that deserved local radio play. Several were featured when Boz performed at the Waikiki Shell with Maestro Donald Johanos and the Honolulu Symphony later that year.
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Boz followed "Pele" with a second solo project, "Warrior," a similarly themed album honoring Kamehameha, in 1983. The Mountain Apple Co. re-released "Pele" on CD in 1997.That's where the evolutionary process stood until now. Honolulu will see a bigger version of Boz's musical epic when the Brothers Cazimero, "third brother" kumu hula Leina'ala Kalama Heine and their affiliated halau play a return engagement tonight at the Hawaii Theatre. The show will include several songs from "Pele," staged with additional musicians and the halau.
"It's going to be a great show," Boz said earlier this week, explaining that the cast put in more than a month of rehearsals and were going to keep at it until show time.
He said it will be the first time that a section of "Pele" will be presented with dancers and stage lighting. Robert is choreographing his halau, the Gentleman of Na Kamalei, and 'Ala's Ladies of Na Pualei o Likolehua, for their participation in "Pele."
"(After) 25 years I want to say it's way overdue, but everything's in its own time. I've learned to be patient. I'm glad that something is being done, and I'm glad that it's being done by my brother."
Presented by the Brothers Cazimero 'PELE'
Where: Hawaii Theatre
When: 8 p.m. today
Tickets: $30
Call: 528-0506
Robert, he said, opposed the "Pele" project 25 years ago. Robert, a kumu hula trained by kumu hula Ma'iki Aiu Lake, felt that his younger brother didn't have the training or cultural knowledge needed to honor Pele with contemporary music inspired by the story of Pele, her sister Hi'iaka and Lohiau. Boz then turned to Iolani Luahine and Vicky I'i Rodrigues for guidance.
"I'm glad after all these years (that he's working on it with me)," Boz said. "The bottom line is, it's good music and it's a good story. Love is always good -- even the bad one."
"Pele" was Boz's second project outside of his work as Robert's younger partner in the Brothers Cazimero. It followed the Hoku Award-winning album "The Musical Saga of the Hokule'a" which he developed as a member of the group Hokule'a with Dwight Hanohano, Mike Kaawa, Keli'i Tau'a and Kalani Whitford. Robert's first solo album, "Robert Cazimero," was a Hoku winner in 1979.
"I tried to do 'Pele' before ('Hokule'a') and I just went bananas. It just wasn't there, but after 'Hokule'a,' I had a semblance of order. Then I found an album that Kamokila Campbell had recorded with Jack de Mello when I was a kid that had the Pele legend, and I really liked that story. With the music that Jack made, and reading the story, and what I heard, that's what I came up with."
All going well, this version to be presented this weekend will be another step closer to a future production that will have full costumes, sets and maybe some special effects. Lighting plots and much of the other prep work has been done.
"I have another sense for the background music, (but) when it comes to doing it as real, real theater, I'll have to sit down and break it down for the next person," he said.
In the meantime, Hawaii can reacquaint itself with Roland Cazimero's "Pele" tonight.
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