Artelize - Beyond Stereotypes: A Theatrical Journey through Identity and Transformation

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Beyond Stereotypes: A Theatrical Journey through Identity and Transformation

In the vibrant setting of the Kumu Kahua Theatre in Honolulu, a series of thought-provoking and heartwarming performances delve into the complexities of identity, transformation, and the quest for authenticity. From the comedic yet challenging journey of Kimo the Waiter, who battles stereotypes in his pursuit of acting, to the heartwarming tale of Wally Chaves in Southernmost as he grapples with familial change amidst literal and metaphorical earthquakes, these stories offer a rich tapestry of human experience. The theatre also hosts Polly Amnesia, a magical exploration of self-discovery, and The Golden Gays, a vibrant look at reinvention in the golden years.

Nov 29, 2024

1. Kimo the Waiter

Kimo waits tables while pursuing his dream of acting professionally in the 1980s—but he’s always too brown, or not brown enough. During a time when there were few roles for people of color, except for local commercials, those television images of Hawaiʻi people were, in some cases, even more limiting than Hollywood's idea of what it meant to be from Hawaiʻi. Kimo's quest is funny, frustrating and totally relatable as he tries to break free from stereotypical images of island characters.

Nov 7 - Dec 8, 2024

Kumu Kahua Theatre

Honolulu, HI · Kumu Kahua Theatre

2. Southernmost

For former fisherman Wally Chaves, who lives with his retired wife Becky in the familiar hills of Ka'u at the southernmost tip of the Big Island, planting keiki trees for a coffee farm is giving him new life. When daughter Charlene visits with her girlfriend Jessica—Wally calls her “one vegetarian lesbian”—everything begins to get unstable. But when earthquakes start to really shake things up, should they stay or should they go?

Jan 23 - Feb 23, 2025

Kumu Kahua Theatre

Honolulu, HI · Kumu Kahua Theatre

3. The Magic of Polly Amnesia

Polly Amnesia—orphan, magician, punk—takes the stage for her one-woman magic show. Throughout her act, she attempts to sort hope from delusion, dreams from bullshit and true magic from trickery as she recounts her quixotic quest to solve the mystery of her own identity and the family that abandoned her. But in tonight’s performance, something is going terribly wrong...

Mar 27 - Apr 27, 2025

Kumu Kahua Theatre

Honolulu, HI · Kumu Kahua Theatre

4. The Golden Gays

Aunty Maria Lani Tunta is the free, fierce, and fabulous mother to a chosen family of queens facing their golden years and ready for second chances. What does it mean for a drag queen to be in their 70s, for a sexual player to keep up his game, for a divorced man to explore being gay for the first time, for a widower to date again? These bitches bicker, tease, and challenge each other to move on, and they do it in makeup and heels. In this crazy life you have to seize the cheesecake. This script was inspired by the groundbreaking show: The Golden Girls.

May 29 - Jun 29, 2025

Kumu Kahua Theatre

Honolulu, HI · Kumu Kahua Theatre

Conclusion

The Kumu Kahua Theatre's upcoming season is a testament to the transformative power of theatre. By weaving together a diverse array of stories that challenge stereotypes and illuminate the complexities of human identity, these performances invite audiences to reflect, laugh, and perhaps rethink their own narratives. Whether it's through Kimo's comedic struggle against stereotypes, Wally's familial upheaval, Polly's magical self-discovery, or the vibrant redefinition of golden years in 'The Golden Gays,' each performance offers a unique perspective on life's journey. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the rich tapestry of stories that await at the Kumu Kahua Theatre.

2025 Artelize••