2005 Hawaii Shakespeare
Festival

ALL HAIL THE KING!: Brent Yoshikami clowned with his co-stars, Seleena Marie Harkness, left, and Linda Johnson, Friday night after their opening night performance in "The Winter's Tale," the first of three plays being presented in the 2005 Hawaii Shakespeare Festival in the UH-Manoa Ernst Lab Theatre. Yoshikami stars as Leontes, King of Sicilia, and gives an excellent portrayal of a paranoid man who convinces himself that his queen, Hermione, is pregnant with the child of his friend, the King of Bohemia. Harkness makes a superb local debut as the innocent and honorable queen. Johnson, a long-time veteran of the local stage, plays the no-nonsense noble woman who dares challenge the king's folly.

PARTY IN THE PARKING LOT: HSF cast members Andy Valencia, left, Seleena Marie Harkness, Roxanne Fay, Soni Nandoskar and Gilani Moiseff celebrated behind Kennedy Theatre after the show. Harkness dominates much of Act I with her touching performance as Queen Hermione of Sicilia, Moiseff gives a convincing performance as Perdita in Act II. Changing the gender of a character can be problematic, but director R. Kevin Doyle's decision to do that with Lord Camillo gives theater-goers the opportunity to enjoy Fay's portrayal of the honorable Lady Camilla. James Cunningham has a good moment late in Act I playing a prison guard who gets fast-talked into allowing Lady Paulina to remove Hermione's baby from prison.

SUPPORTING THE HSF: Anne Marie MacPherson was at the theater with her husband, Richard MacPherson, center, and Patrick Casey. Richard's portrayal of "Iago" dominated Kumu Kahua's ambitious but uneven 1996 staging of "Othello" that transported the story to early 19th century Hawaii.

CAREFUL, JONATHAN: Jonathan Clarke Sypert was congratulated by his mother, Shirley Sypert, left, and his sister, Catherine Sypert, after his energetic opening night performance as Autolycus. Sypert uses his training as a dancer and acrobat in several scenes and took a few chances leaping off the set on opening night.

MEET THE CREATORS: HSF founders Tony Pisculli, left, and R. Kevin Doyle opened the 2005 festival in fine style. Doyle's judicious tweaking of the story worked out well. Pisculli's skill at stage combat choreography adds impact to several scenes. Pisculli's production of "Romeo and Juliet" opens tomorrow night.