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Humanizing machines
Singing and dancing steam shovels storm the stage as Honolulu Theatre for Youth presents a musical adaptation of the classic 1939 children's book by Virginia Lee Burton.
Dig of a lifetimeWhat: "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel," for ages 4 and upWhere: McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Beach Park When: Performances at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturdays through May 21. A sign-interpreted performance is scheduled at 4:30 p.m. May 7. Admission: $16 for adults, $8 for youths (18 and under) and seniors (over 60) Call: 839-9885 or order tickets online at www.HTYweb.org
HTY founder Nancy Corbett to be honoredHonolulu Theatre for Youth will hold a special luncheon in honor of HTY founder Nancy Corbett (1902-93) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Oahu Country Club. The event is sponsored by the Honorable Samuel P. King and Mrs. King.Tables of eight are being sold for $500, $750 and $1,000. Individual tickets are $50. Call Lisa Ueki at 839-9885 ext. 15, or Carolyn Kishi at 739-0563 for reservations.
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In the beloved children's tale brought to stage, Cynthia See plays Mike Mulligan's (Reb Beau Allen) faithful steam shovel, Mary Anne.
Costume designer Casey Cameron had to stretch her imagination to create the movable human machines.
"We had to figure a way aside from building a platform that created the effect of machinery and allowed the actors to sing, dance and move around," she said.
Styrofoam, foam and cheesecloth are just a few of the materials used to create the costumes. The foam does make it hot and uncomfortable for actors, she explained, but that's show biz.
Cameron has been working on the shovel's costumes for a couple of months. "I was thinking about it all year though," she said.
It took five hours and an assembly line just to work on some of the boots. "Putting pieces together is a breeze, but there are so many different steps," she said.
"Mary Anne has scoops on the end of her hands, lots of cogs, rivets and chains," said Cameron. In the drama, Mulligan and Mary Anne take on the digging job of a lifetime while up against some tough, advanced competition. Nara Springer Cardenas, as an electric shovel, is very modern and "sleek and shiny like a 1930s car," said Cameron.
BullDog is transformed into a diesel shovel. The nuclear shovel, played by Daryl Bonilla, is a high-tech creation that not only digs, but makes cappuccino, hot chocolate and tea. He is the most robotic and will also have blinking lights attached to his costume.
The only part of the actors' bodies left uncovered is the face, and one of the biggest challenges was not having their hands free for the costume changes. BullDog, Bonilla and Springer all play multiple characters. Jason Kanda will perform the role of the pessimistic Henry B. Swap.
"I've never had a costume where I couldn't use my hands," said See. "I'm covered from head to toe. It's definitely going to be interesting. She (Cameron) had to build tiny sets on us."
LUTWAK ENJOYED the classic tale of Mike Mulligan and Mary Anne as a young boy, so he jumped at the chance to bring it to life on the stage.
"I even read the book to my younger brothers and sisters," he said. "It is very challenging to change a book into a play," he explained. "We can't put pictures on the stage. We are not a cartoon or animation."
Anyone familiar with the story can relate to the determination and positive attitude that helped Mulligan and his trustworthy shovel succeed. Eric Lane Barnes wrote the play in a fashion that causes audience members to learn that newer isn't necessarily better, determination can take you quite far, and working with friends is a great way to get a tough job done.
The one-hour long production is geared toward children ages 4 to 8, but adults who grew up reading the story might enjoy it just as much.
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