OPENING
“1776, the Musical”: Delegates at the Second Continental Congress argue over the Declaration of Independence in what appears a hopeless attempt at unification. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday, Paliku Theatre. $25-$35. More shows through Sept. 18. Tickets: 235-7310, etickethawaii.com. Info: paliku.com.
“The Best Man”: Secretary of State William Russell and Senator Joe Cantwell battle for their party’s presidential nomination, as their amused president looks on. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and Thursday, 2 p.m. Sunday, The Brad Powell Theatre. $20-$30. More shows through Sept. 25. 722-6941, taghawaii.net
Heiva i Waikiki 2016: Tahitian festival features solo and group dance competitions, a performance of “Legend of Honoura” by dance troupe Tahiti Mana, and traditional arts and crafts. 10:30 a.m. preliminaries, 3 p.m. finals, Sunday, Hawaii Theatre. Tickets: $20-$25, $15-$20 presale at hawaiitheatre.com, 528-0506.
PLAYING
“UchinaAloha”: An Okinawan grandfather wants his grandson to play traditional style music, but his grandson would rather play Hawaii or rock. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and Thursday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Kumu Kahua Theatre. $5-$25. More shows through Oct. 2. 536-4441, kumukahua.org
“Anime Momotaro”: A boy born from a peach learns inner strength as he encounters ogres in this contemporary production adapted from a classic Japanese children’s tale, emphasizing compassion and responses to bullying. 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Tenney Theatre, The Cathedral of St. Andrew. $10-$20. More shows through Sept. 24. Japanese-language performance Sept. 24. 839-9885, htyweb.org
COMING UP
“It Shoulda Been You”: A seemingly mismatched couple faces various calamities on their way to the altar, including religious conflicts, angry in-laws and an ex-boyfriend who decides to show up. Sept. 15-Oct. 2, Manoa Valley Theatre. $22-$40. 988-6131, manoavalleytheatre.com
“Antigone,” by Sophocles, adapted by Greg Banks: In this one-act production by the Theatre for Young Audiences, after both of her brothers die on opposing sides of a civil war, Antigone dares to defy King Creon, her uncle, by burying her “traitor” brother. Sept. 16-25, Kennedy Theatre. $8-$15. 956-7655, manoa.hawaii.edu/liveonstage
Improvaganza: Festival of improvised theatre, with comedy and drama depicted through long-form improvisation, an improviser throwdown, one-man performances and international troupe performances. Sept. 22-25, The ARTS at Marks Garage and Kumu Kahua Theatre. Tickets: 15, $10 presale at eventbrite.com. Information: 224-7585, www.improvaganza.com.
“Billy Elliott, the Musical”: Ordered to stop studying ballet by his coal-miner father, a boy secretly continues practicing for a Royal Ballet School audition. Sept. 23-Oct. 16, Diamond Head Theatre. $15-$35. 733-0274, diamondheadtheatre.com
Bradley Fields, “Mathemagic”: Magician Fields demonstrates that math can be fascinating, with a show combining mathematical principles and magic tricks. Sept. 24-25, Hawaii Theatre. $7-$22. hawaiitheatre.com, 528-0506
“The Beginning of a Garden”: Costumed role-players depict the history of William Hillebrand, Mary Foster and Harold Lyon, creators and preservers of Foster Botanical Garden. Oct. 1-2, Daibutsu Terrace, Foster Botanical Garden. Free. Reservations: 522-7066.
“Can You Hear My Hands?”: Deaf and hearing actors introduce deaf culture through stories, comedy and music, in a Honolulu Theatre for Youth Production. Oct. 14-Nov. 12, Tenney Theatre, The Cathedral of St. Andrew. $10-$20. 839-9885, htyweb.org
“La Boheme”: Impoverished Rudolfo enjoys a short romance with Mimi before she succumbs to her illness. Oct. 14-18, Blaisdell Concert Hall. $29-$130. 596-7858, hawaiiopera.org
Na Mele Aloha, Aloha ‘Ohana: The final performance of the “Na Mele” outdoor series examines themes of family through hula, chant and song. Oct. 15, Hawaiian Mission Houses. $30-$35. 447-3926, missionhouses.org
“A House Divided”: An immersive theater experience forces the audience to deal with political and social issues, including Hawaiian sovereignty and corporate terrorism. Oct. 19-23, Kennedy Theatre environs (upper lanai). $8-$18. 956-7655, manoa.hawaii.edu/liveonstage
Christopher Morgan & Artists — Pohaku: A dance theater production with storytelling, hula and projection design explores themes in the story of Hawaii’s native people. Oct. 21, Hawaii Theatre. $47-$57. Members-only presale access: 791-1301. Info: 528-0506, hawaiitheatre.com.
“BOO! A Spooktacular Musical Revue”: Nanakuli Performing Arts Center: Oct. 28-30, Nanakuli High and Intermediate School Multi-Purpose Building. $2-$13. 305-7725, nyapa2002@me.com
“The Velocity of Autumn”: An estranged son mediates a battle royal between his siblings and their Molotov cocktail-armed mother, who refuses to enter a home for seniors, in Eric Coble’s contemporary dramedy. Oct. 28-Nov. 20, The Brad Powell Theatre. $20-$30. 722-6491, taghawaii.net
“Blue”: Honolulu Theatre for Youth presents the tale of characters Inky Blue and Pale Blue, who learn about tolerance and understanding. Nov. 5-19, Tenney Theatre, The Cathedral of St. Andrew. $10-$20. Ages 3+. 839-9885, htyweb.org
“iHula”: Kumu hula ‘Iwalani tries to refocus her students from the fears and insecurities of the modern-day world onto the knowledge and love of hula, in an original drama by local resident Ryan Okinaka. Nov. 3-Dec. 4, Kumu Kahua Theatre. $5-$25. 536-4441, kumukahua.org
Terry Fator, “Aloha From Hawaii”: Ventriloquist Fator performs an evening of entertainment, including song, celebrity imitations and comedy. Nov. 11-12, Hawaii Theatre. $48-$150. 528-0506, hawaiitheatre.com
“MemoryHouse — Dreams”: International dance styles, including Balinese and hula, combine with technology in a dance concert on love and memory. Nov. 11-13, location TBD. $8-$25. 956-7655, manoa.hawaii.edu/liveonstage
“The Laramie Project”: Nanakuli Performing Arts Center: Showcasing legal ramifications and the community response to the murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard, in a dramatized version of the 1998 homicide. Nov. 12-20, Nanakuli High and Intermediate School Multi-Purpose Building. $2-$13. 305-7725, nyapa2002@me.com
“The Elephant Man”: A deformed man in 18th-century London goes from starring in freak shows to the heights of luxury, without ever knowing the acceptance of society. Nov. 17-Dec. 4, Manoa Valley Theatre. $22-$40. 988-6131, manoavalleytheatre.com
“A Plantation Celebration”: Celebrate holidays in the style of old Hawaii, with dramatic performances and song. Nov. 25-Dec. 17, Tenney Theatre, The Cathedral of St. Andrew. $10-$20. 839-9885, htyweb.org
“Elf Jr.”: Performing Arts Center of Kapolei: Buddy, a New York transplant from the North Pole, is shocked to find that unlike his former elf companions, his family has a marked aversion to Christmas cheer and Santa Claus. $6-$10. Dinner show price TBD. 305-8048, packapolei.org
“A Christmas Carol, the Musical” : Spirits take a reluctant Ebenezer Scrooge through his past, present and future, in hopes of healing his bitter attitude toward others and Christmas. Dec. 2-23, Diamond Head Theatre. 733-0274, diamondheadtheatre.com
CALLS FOR TALENT
Disney Aulani: Performers sought for entertainment and character positions. Aloha Dancesport Center, 350 Ward Ave. Suite 200. Bring head shot and resume. Ages 18+ unless otherwise noted. disneyauditions.com
>> Male actors/”Uncle”: Cast members with ability to chant sought to portray gifted elder storytellers. Come prepared to tell a brief island legend (preferably geared toward children). Ukulele and vocal ability preferred. 9:30 a.m. sign-in, 10 a.m. auditions, Friday.
>> Female vocalists/”Aunty”: Singers who play the ukulele sought. Hula ability a plus. Come prepared to sing a verse of your favorite song a cappella or with ukulele. 10:30 a.m. sign-in, 11 a.m. auditions, Friday.
>> Emcee/host: Youthful performers able to retain choreography and improvise sought. Hula ability a plus. 9:30 a.m. sign-in, 10 a.m. auditions, Sunday.
>> Disney character look-alike performers: Female performers 5-foot-2 to 5-foot-7 sought to perform in shows, meet-and-greets and resort activities. 12:30 p.m. sign-in, 1 p.m. auditions, Sunday. Ages 16+.
>> Disney character performers: Outgoing actors sought to portray costumed characters, with full- and part-time positions available. 1:30 p.m. sign-in, 2 p.m. auditions, Sunday. Comfortable clothing and footwear suggested. Come prepared to participate in a physical improvisation exercise and movement combination. Ages 16+.
Hawaii Shakespeare Festival — “Much Ado About Nothing”: Four actors sought for paid positions in an abridged version of the Shakespearan comedy, to be performed in multiple Oahu schools. 3-6 p.m. Sunday, 6-9 p.m. Monday, The ARTS at Marks Garage. Prepared monologues highly recommended. Actors must be free for day performances (8 a.m.-2 p.m.) mid-October to early November. Info: 779-3456, taurie@hawaii.edu, cslamborn@gmail.com.
Kapolei Chorale: Singers in all vocal parts sought. Rehearsals 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sundays at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Makakilo. 672-8888
Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu: Singers invited to sit in at rehearsals and audition at the Labor Day potluck. 7 p.m. Monday, Von Holt Room, St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Sheet music encouraged for auditions. gmcofh@gmail.com, gmcofh.org
Voices of Aloha: First Rehearsal Party of the New Year: Singers in all vocal parts sought for community choir. 6 p.m. Tuesday, Annex of the Community of Christ Church, 1666 Mott-Smith Drive. RSVP/info: 228-5068.
“Windward Choral Society” Open House Rehearsal: Singers in all vocal parts sought to perform ethnic, traditional and master choral works. Newcomers 6:30 p.m., returning singers 7 p.m., Tuesday, Holman Hall, Kailua United Methodist Church, 1110 Kailua Road. Info: thewindwardchoralsociety.org.
Sounds of Aloha Chorus: Male singers in all vocal parts sought for a cappella chorus performing multigenre works. Rehearsals 7-9:30 p.m. Thursdays at Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse, second floor. 262-7664
Hawaii Opera Theatre Volunteer Chorus: Singers in all vocal parts sought for a local choir, with opportunities for choral performances in upcoming theater productions. 6 p.m. Tuesday. Appointments: hawaiiopera.org/jobs-opportunities.
Na Leo Lani Chorus: Female singers for four-part barbershop harmony chorus sought. Rehearsals 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays at St. Francis School. 839-3443
Honolulu Blend Show Chorus: Award-winning chorus seeking female singers for four-part harmony. Rehearsals Wednesdays 6:30-9:30 p.m. at 99-900 Iwaena St., Aiea. 224-0383.