Charming
By John Berger
family fare
Special to the Star-BulletinThe University of Hawai'i at Manoa's Department of Theatre and Dance moves into Honolulu Theatre for Youth territory this weekend with its production of "Crow and Weasel." The story is a window into Native American culture, with bits and pieces of Asian theatrical tradition added by director Brian Bozanich.
Bozanich is directing the piece in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master's degree in youth theater. His hybrid production is fascinating.
Asian-style shadow puppets are only one of the embellishments. Jennica Nishida and Matthew Malliski star in the title roles while other cast members play several roles each and manipulate props representing still more characters.
Teams work together in animating Mouse, Badger and Grizzly Bear. Tom Galli (lighting), MJ Matsushita (scenic painting), Jeni Kido (costume, headdress and makeup) and Duffy Ford (sound design) share credit with Bozanich for making the production a delightful experience.
The story is a basic quest saga. Mountain Lion (Moses Goods) dreams of beings whose bodies are not covered by fur or feathers. He dispatches young Crow and Weasel north to find them. The trek becomes a journey of growth and self-discovery as well. Weasel becomes more steady and learns not to boast. Crow becomes more self-confident.
Traditional Native American perspectives on the interrelationship of the earth and all living things are smoothly incorporated.
Eventually, Crow and Weasel reach a place where the sun never sets and find odd beings called Inuits who wear clothes.
Nishida and Malliski are engaging protagonists who succeed in defining the personalities of the characters. The other notable personality is ambitious, self-promoting Red Fox (Dismount Gilla).
Bozanich juxtaposes different accents and speaking styles in interesting ways. Some characters use a stilted style mimicking Hollywood "Indian speak." Crow and Weasel sometimes sound like modern teens on a date. Why Bozanich does this isn't apparent but the jumble adds to the show's distinctive offbeat charm.
It also isn't clear how literally the audience is expected to see Crow and Weasel as animals. The costumes and early dialogue suggest all the characters are birds and mammals, but Weasel recalls how his father was rescued by Crow's father while hunting buffalo, an improbable activity for a crow and a weasel. And if Crow is a bird it doesn't make sense for her to swim across a river!
The Inuits also relate to the pair as members of another tribe.
The pace drags in places but "Crow and Weasel" is overall a best bet in family entertainment.
REVIEW
Crow and Weasel: 7:30 p.m tomorrow, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday; Kennedy Theatre, University of Hawaii at Manoa
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