Hilo Goes Musical
Written By Asia Howe
Editorʻs Note: This is article is the second segment to a two segment article series. The first article can be found here.
“I’ve grown to really love musicals, you know?” — Philip Seymour Hoffman
Aerial view of the Hilo region of Hawaii. Photo courtesy of www.wikihilo.org.
Most people, whether they are bombastic or taciturn, are familiar with one musical or another and in effect, have formed some kind of opinion about lyrical shows. This month, thanks to the lovely Jackie Pualani Johnson, Hilo musical lovers (and haters, whoever they are) will all be spotlighted in her production, Hilo: Da Musical. While they never auditioned or were even casted, they get to star in the show through their mutual connection to the dinky yet homey Hawaii town. If the name of the musical does not indicate what it is about, please permit the present article to explain. Hilo: Da Musical “zooms in on what fuels our daily lives in little ol’ Hilo” (“The Spring Trifecta”).
Sophomore Landon Ballesteros, a Performing Arts and Biology double major who is minoring in
Hawaiian Studies, plays Lewis de los Santos “Koapaka” Clark throughout most of the production and Ringo in the second act. He received a taste of showbiz during auditions—a process that he, a student of the stage, is sure to experience again. “Those of us interested in these roles [of Ringo and Lewis] had to sing a portion of the song ‘Da Music in Hilo’ [and] read a few scenes from the show,” the sophomore discloses. Since Ballesteros, the cast member newest to Hilo with only two years residence, was selected, he has discovered much about the region. “We mention so many places, people, restaurants, and food, a lot of which I have never heard of before!”
Performing Arts and Biology double major and Hawaii Studies minor, Landon Ballesteros. Photo courtesy of Glenn Fernandez.
Joining the sophomore is senior Emily Peavy, an Astronomy major and Physics minor who wants to keep her role, that she is thrilled about, a secret. She does, however, reveal why such a science- oriented student may be found on stage in a musical. “I have been participating in acting classes throughout my undergraduate career. When I heard ... Auntie Jackie was writing and directing her own musical I jumped at the opportunity,” the senior states. By going beyond her declared area of academic interest and taking on the obligation which attends being an actress, Peavy has been able to utilize skills she acquired from the acting classes she has attended. She has been employing her prior knowledge to connect with her character and deliver a convincing performance.
Astronomy major and Physics minor, Emily Peavy. Photo courtesy of Glenn Fernandez.
The prior knowledge that Ballesteros brings to the production stems from the classes he currently
takes—Kapili Choir (MUS 404), Applied Music: Voice (MUS 135), First Level Partial Hawaiian Immersion (KHAW 104), and Lyric Theater (DRAM 490). The sophomore proclaims, “I’ve been able to apply all these choral and vocal skills to my role ….I can feel an improvement since I was in Miss Saigon last year. I also have this one part where I say a very long Hawaiian name [but] learning it came easy to me, from pronunciation to translation.” The applicability of Lyric Theater to the musical has made Ballesteros more comfortable and confident concerning the Elvis Medley, Spamaholics, and Coqui dances.
Dr. Jacquelyn (“Jackie”) Pualani Johnson, Performing Arts Department Chair. Photo courtesy of www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/news.
When asked what they learned as a Hilo: Da Musical cast member that they could not reap from a traditional class setting or textbook, both members referenced their present site. “I think for me it would be a greater appreciation for Hilo,” the sophomore responds. The musical is so full of Hilo culture and I feel as a student at [the University of Hawaii at Hilo], it’s important to be immersed in this culture and make the most of the wonderful community we have.” The senior similarly replied, “I have learned to have a greater appreciation for my newfound hometown. Hilo is a true melting pot where cultures can intermingle and that is simply beautiful!”
Hilo: Da Musical takes the stage April 16, 17, and 18 at 7:30 pm and April 19 at 2:00 pm. It runs for roughly two hours. For questions, please contact Chanell Crawford at chanellc@hawaii.edu.
“The Spring Trifecta.” University of Hawaii at Hilo Performing Arts Center. University of Hawaii at Hilo, n.d. Web. 10 April 2015.
