Original songs, entertaining stories, a little gentle comedy and a compelling political message -- playwrights Ray Bumatai and Matt Kalani Souza blend all this in "Tales of Urban Hawaii," about a local Everyman and his friendship with a cultural nationalist. Tales of the city
Hawaii today is captured in
By John Berger
songs, stories and humor
Star-BulletinBumatai, a veteran actor and local comedian, presides as narrator and principal storyteller, while Souza plays his sidekick and comic foil. As a man trying to make the best of things in modern Hawaii, Bumatai is a natural, and Souza adds a progressive edge as the nationalist getting in touch with his Hawaiian heritage.
After a two-night premiere engagement at Manoa Valley Theatre last week, "Tales" is moving to the new Lizard Loft at Mark's Garage downtown. While it should certainly become one of the year's hot shows locally, it could also play well on the mainland.
Bumatai's MossRock band is the foundation of the project. He wanted to create modern folk music that would reflect island culture; Souza, who joined the band several months ago, wanted to do something similar. "Tales of Urban Hawaii" is the result.
Bumatai is the rhythm guitarist and primary vocalist. Souza sings, chants, dances and plays bass. The two other band members have smaller roles. Jon Glaser (drums/percussion) is the surfer dude. Guitarist Darrell Aquino is the laid-back, cooly competent professional in dark glasses who takes over the bass on some numbers and plays ukulele on others.
The songs, stories and scripted dialogue create an entertaining and provocative picture of life in modern Hawaii. "Pali Uli," one of Souza's songs, opens the show with lyrical images of an idealized place of perfect refuge. Another Souza song, "Down by the Sea," and several of Bumatai's compositions, offer cheery vignettes of local life -- learning from your kupuna, going fishing on the weekend or visiting friends and ohana.
Other Bumatai stories tell of such things as a childhood misadventure in which he tried to "help" his grandfather in the garden, the time he went joy riding in his father's car, and how he dealt with a belligerent younger brother. Each tale rings true.
The mood darkens as topics become more serious. "Anahola" commemorates the Hawaiian who killed himself rather than be evicted from the Hawaiian Homelands property he had shared with his wife. "Suffereignty," a strong bluesy number, uses the familiar analogy of crabs in a bucket as a metaphor for the bickering that keeps the sovereignty movement fragmented. "Take A Ride" honors island residents who have remained true to their beliefs.
Bumatai has never been better and Souza is well worth meeting.
On stage: 7:30 p.m. April 16 and 23 Tales of Urban Hawaii
Place: The Arts at Mark's Garage, 1159 Nuuanu Ave.
Cost: $10
Click for online
calendars and events.
