Seeking Actors to Audition for ‘Finian’s Rainbow’

KDEN performers bring Beauty and the Beast to the stage. Photo: Jan Hotchkiss.

Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network (KDEN) will be holding auditions for its annual summer musical production, “Finian’s Rainbow.”

Auditions will be held on Tuesday, May 16, and Wednesday, May 17, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Kīlauea Theater in Kīlauea Military Camp.

Opening on Broadway in 1947, Finian’s Rainbow was an unexpected hit that generated a series of pop classics: “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?,” “Old Devil Moon,” and “Look to the Rainbow” are among a few. The original music was scored by Burton Lane with lyrics by E.Y. “Yip” Harburg–the lyricist for The Wizard of Oz which came out in 1939.

The narrative follows Finian, who moves from Ireland to the southern U.S. with his daughter Sharon to bury a stolen pot of gold. He mistakenly believes his buried pot will grow and change people’s lives, especially struggling farmers and local citizens. Finian is followed by a leprechaun named Og who is desperate to recover his treasure before the loss of it turns him human. To complicate matters, a bigoted, corrupt U.S. Senator gets involved when wishes are inadvertently made over the hidden gold.

The KDEN show will be directed by Suzi Bond, with musical direction by Walter Greenwood.

Parts are available for all ages, including non-singing roles. Primary roles include Finian, his daughter Sharon, Og the leprechaun, Woody Mahoney (the town leader and Sharon’s love interest), the Senator, and Susan Woody’s mute sister who “talks” by dancing. There are also roles in the gospel quartet and as townsfolk, including Henry who translates for Susan, and Maude.

For more information contact KDEN at (808) 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.