HONOLULU THEATRE FOR YOUTH
Dr. Dake (Louise South) measures the lonely tail feather of Gertrude McFuzz (Georgine Stark).
Symphony broadens
appeal of stage-adapted
Seuss tales
Who would have imagined that Sam-I-Am could perform in an opera?
The odd, fuzzy characters of Dr. Seuss's children's books sang, danced and brought their silly antics to stage as Honolulu Theatre for Youth presented two minioperas, "Green Eggs and Ham" and "Gertrude McFuzz," at Hawaii Theatre.
The Seuss stories were first presented in 1997 by HTY with singing actors and taped music. This time around, the show has been revived with a cast of professional opera singers and a complete orchestra. The collaboration with the Hawaii Opera Theatre and Honolulu Symphony provided a much broader experience. Many in the audience came without a child in tow -- not a normal occurrence for the usual HTY production.
"Green Eggs and Ham" and "Gertrude McFuzz"
Performances continue at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and 1:30 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 21 at Hawaii Theatre. Tickets are $12 and $24 for adults, $6 and $12 for children and seniors. Call 528-0506.
The scores by Robert Kapilow were cheerful and brisk, with familiar classical and popular tunes worked into the mix. The symphony's new assistant conductor, Joan Landry, led the orchestra, and the musicians seized the opportunity to demonstrate exactly how they are able to mimic the splatter of rain or the roaring of a train, as well as how music can project moods and emotions.
An oversize yellow "Happy Seuss Day" box in the middle of the stage was the point of entry for the musicians. Bits and pieces of recognizable tunes -- from "Star Wars" to "Sesame Street" -- were played on an array of instruments as the audience was introduced to the flute, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, bass, drums and piano.
Company actor BullDog lead the interactive venture into music, theater and opera, including serving up a rap version of "Green Eggs and Ham." He stirred up the audience in an interactive bit, enticing the crowd to "bark" and "whimper" like dogs. The interaction between BullDog and the musicians was entertaining, and a lot of "barking" went on in the audience.
As the orchestra disappeared below the stage, the Seuss action began. Larger-than-life props set the stage for a few strange creatures in costume that were more elaborate than usual.
"Gertrude McFuzz" was a treat for the senses, with colorful costumes and props blending beautifully with the hearty songs. Soprano Georgine Stark played Gertrude, the bird who felt inadequate because of her plain, single tail feather. She envied Lolla-Lee-Lou (BullDog), who was well endowed with two vibrant feathers.
After learning about a magical berry tree, Gertrude overindulges and ends up with a heavy backside that leaves her unable to fly. The highlight for the keiki was watching Gertrude's feathers magically sprout from a pouch attached to her backside.
Louise South enthralled the audience with her songs as she portrayed Dr. Dake, a strange fella who rescues Gertrude.
Later, an energetic "Sam-I-Am," played by Jonathan Clarke Sypert, paraded about doing cartwheels and somersaults. Just like in the storybook, he attempted to get his grouchy, stick-in-the-mud friend to try his delectable dish of green eggs and ham.
Most of Sypert's lines were recited, but they magically blended with the opera-singing grouch's response to the oddly colored, unusual delicacy.
Korean-born tenor Julius Dae-Sung Ahn played the perfect grouch. Finicky folks who don't like to try new things will truly relate to this character.
Hawaii Theatre is an intimate setting for the operas, and offered a good mix of lighting and sound. At one point, Sam, the grouch and other creatures were in the dark, making shadow puppets through an illuminated screen.
The best part for parents: There is a moral to each story. The grouch learned to keep an open mind. Gertrude learned the importance of being satisfied with who you are.
Keiki were introduced to opera and symphony music without having to sit through an "adult" performance. The show is recommended for children ages 5 and up, but anyone who knows the Seuss childhood classics is bound to enjoy this one.
And bravo to the collaboration between the three arts groups. Joining forces exposes each to a new audience, while combining assets allowed HTY to stage a more dazzling production than the theater group might be able to afford on its own. In these days of budgetary crises for performing arts groups, the Seuss collaboration marked a win-win-win situation.
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