KDEN Presents ‘Finian’s Rainbow’

Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network will present Finian’s Rainbow as its 15th Annual Summer Musical from Friday, July 7 through 23, 2017, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp’s Kīlauea Theater.

Opening on Broadway in 1947 with music by Burton Lane and lyrics by E.Y. “Yip” Harburg (who wrote the lyrics for The Wizard of Oz), Finian’s Rainbow generated one pop classic after another—How Are Things in Glocca Morra?, Old Devil Moon and Look to The Rainbow.

Finian moves to the southern United States from Ireland with his daughter, Sharon, to bury a stolen pot of gold near Fort Knox, in the mistaken belief that it will grow and will change people’s lives, including a struggling farmer and local citizens of the fictional state of Missitucky.

Samantha Saiki as Sharon and Stephen Bond as Og in KDEN’s production of Finian’s Rainbow. Photo: Jonathan Sudler

A leprechaun follows them, desperate to recover his treasure before the loss of it turns him permanently human. Complications arise when a bigoted and corrupt U.S. Senator gets involved, and when wishes are made inadvertently over the hidden crock. The themes about racial harmony and corrupt politicians still ring as true today as when the show was written 70 years ago.

The themes about racial harmony and corrupt politicians still ring as true today as when the show was written 70 years ago.

Keeping with the tradition of involving families in the show, this will be the first year KDEN has three generations of one family in one show.

Bill Chikasuye as Finian and Stephen Bond as Og in KDEN’s production of Finian’s Rainbow. Photo: Jonathan Sudler

Dan Kelley is playing one of the Gospeleers, his son, Joel, is playing Sen. Rawkins and his granddaughter, Ariana, is playing Diana.

Kaimilkila Moreas, who is playing Woody Mahoney, is joined on stage by his niece, Kamaile Carvalho, who is playing Hannah and nephew ‘Iolana Carvalho.

Ensemble members Kyla, Dahlia and Rayanna Fabiani and their mother, Jessica Owens, and stepfather Aaron Lawrence are performing with KDEN for the first time.

Another Gospeleer, Karl Halemano, will appear on stage with his daughter, Susie, who plays Susan Mahoney.

Stage manager Kala Daily will oversee her father, Michael Meyer, who is playing the sheriff.

In the ensemble are brother and sister Gordon and Gracelynn Greenlaw

Bill Chikasuye takes on the role of Finian McLonergan with Samatha Saiki as his daughter, Sharon.

Stephen Bond plays the leprechaun, Og.

Steve Peyton plays Rawkins’ henchman, Buzz Collins.

Others in the ensemble are Mia Boyer, Lichen Forster, Asia Helfrich, Roch Jones, Dawn Pelletier and Elizabeth Young.

Suzi Bond directs the cast with music direction by Walter Greenwood.

Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for students and seniors 60 and over, and $12 for children 12 and under.

Tickets are available at Kīlauea General Store, Kea‘au Natural Foods, the Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo and at the door.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact KDEN at (808) 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.