Hawaii Opera Theatre

Amazing shows and great performances. I have been lucky enough to attend two performances (thanks Unilocal). Sweeney Todd was truly amazing. The whole production was VERY well executed and the amount of talent brought together is just phenomenal. I had never been to an opera before experiencing these two and I will absolutely continue to go should more operas emerge through H.O.T.

Just saw the Sweeney Todd @HOT, loved it! Even though I knew the story from the movie, it doesn’t beat seeing it as a play!
Acting, vocals, set, lighting are top notch! If you get a chance definitely one to see, thank you HOT for the experience

First and foremost thank you Unilocal,Emi, Cathy T, Maka of the Orange Shoes, Raelyn and HOT for an outstanding event. Well planned, well organized and well executed. I could not believe how many Unilocalsters were there. Many familiar faces and many not so familiar but they are the up and coming group.
The opera was based on a fictional serial killer named Sweeney Todd, FKA Benjamin Barker and his sinister partnership with Mrs. Lovitt. The Demon Barber of Fleet Street back in London to avenge the loss of his lovely wife and the loss of some 12 years of his life. Quite the story, fabulously dark and malevolent.
For those of us who are Johnny Depp fans this was made into an Oscar winning movie directed by Tim Burton and costaring Helen Bonham Carter in 2007. The Hot performance did the opera proudly and for a dress rehearsal it was fun and entertaining. I hope they do well.
Thank you again Unilocal for introducing so many to HOT.

Friday nights performance of Siren Song was a little different including the venue location. Not your typical opera. The place in Kakaako was hot, no AC, just a very large ceiling fan and portable fans to circulate the hot air :-(. The chairs was folding metal chairs with a little cushion and uncomfortable. One of my gf that went to the Sunday show said she paid $ 50 said she would have rather paid that amount and sit way in the back of the concert hall with comfortable chair, with AC and cleaner location.
The music was a bit too loud you couldn’t hear what they were singing, which was supposed to be in English but could barely understand. I love going to the opera to support art, the performers and listening the performers various beautiful tone of voices.
Looking forward to the last show of the season, Sweeney Todd in April.

Being «cultured» can be expensive… especially when tickets go for $ 100+! However, now that HOT offers great deals on tickets through deal sites like Groupon, Living Social, etc., you can see some great performances for a steal! Granted, the seats aren’t the closest, but for the price and the experience, it’s definitely worth it!
If you do buy tickets through one of the deal sites, please note that you have to go down to the box office on Beretania Street to redeem them. The lady there was really nice and helped me redeem my deal for the best seats available. I’m a little torn between recommending the balcony or the orchestra section. Although the balcony is a little further away, I think you get a better overall view of the stage.
I must say though, that I’m very impressed with the talent HOT finds for these operas. These performers can really sing! Like chicken-​skin, makes you want to stand up and belt out right along with them kind of good! Although most of the performers are from the mainland, a few usually are from right here in Hawaii! Although the opera isn’t for everyone, seeing a HOT performance is definitely a great experience!

Madame Butterfly images:

Opera is the big wave surfing of the music world.
Tremendous dedication, training, stamina, and skill together with the right wave can all come together in an spine-​tingling rush of adrenaline and excitement.
Luckily for Hawaii, Hawaii Opera Theater succeeds in pulling it all together for a thrilling ride.
Madama Butterfly (current production) is a glorious big swell hitting Hawaii now. You should definitely pull up a chair and watch the opera surfers ride this wave.
You might be lucky enough to see a soprano or tenor get totally barreled in the sound and shoot out into the sunlight victorious.

We just went to a non dress rehearsal event at the HOT stage– where they practice.
After the event– we learned that it was mostly for family and close friends. It was great to be able to see the non dress and be really close to be able to hear the cast members sing — being so close to the stage (front row) was wonderful.
Musically– they got the chops for it. All of the music was spot on and it sounded like they are ready for full dress live performances.
They announced that some of the shows this coming year will be in a warehouse in Kakaako which sounds like fun and part of the city plan to help revitalize the area.
Looking forward to more shows and more info– still a great chance to see live music and really glad we rsvp’ed for tickets to hear great music.

HOT is a fantastic organization with competent, friendly staff working in the ticket office (I had to exchange my tickets for a different date and they were great about it) and wildly talented musicians and singers.
I enjoyed a performance of The Mikado, a perennial favorite light opera by Gilbert & Sullivan. Clever lyric changes worked in current events. Like the executioner keeping a «little list» of people that would not be missed, including reality stars and people constantly yammering on cell phones. While I paid the normal price, HOT has a variety of special events like opening night parties, and open dress rehearsals, with lower priced tickets. You must go! Next season’s shows include a very modern theme — a man duped by a fake online dating persona developed by a con man. It’s still heartbreak from unrequited love. Highly recommended!

Mikado! Mikado! Mikado!
I love the «Mikado», and most of those who have seen it have formed a similar love. After it’s opening at London’s Savoy Theater in 1885, it became one of the longest running shows in theater history. It’s been said that since that time, a performance of the «Mikado» has been produced somewhere in the world every day.
So what’s all the fuss about? Well, even though it’s set in (mythical) Japan, it’s not about Japan at all. The «Mikado» is W.S. Gilbert’s satirical put-​down of government bureaucracy everywhere — all told through a silly story of an itinerant musician attempting to marry a Japanese schoolgirl.
Here is a short summary of the Act 1 (no spoilers!). A wandering minstrel Nanki-​Poo has fallen in love with schoolgirl Yum-​Yum, who is unfortunately (for Nanki-​Poo) engaged to her guardian Ko-​ko. When Nanki-​Poo learns the Mikado (the emperor) has condemned Ko-​Ko to die for the capital crime of flirting (!), Nanki-​Poo rushes back to Titipu (Yum-Yum’s home town) to claim his beloved.
But there he learns the Mikado has pardoned Ko-​Ko and made him the Lord High Executioner, the only soul in the empire allowed to execute people. However, despite his bragging, Ko-​Ko is a whimp who wouldn’t hurt a fly. The Mikado informs Ko-​Ko (via an email!) that unless someone is executed by the end of the month, Ko-​Ko will have to execute himself, a somewhat difficult undertaking! What a dilemma.
Then Ko-​Ko finds out way out He discovers Nank-​pu, being despondent over the loss of Yum-​Yum, tries to kill himself,. So Ko-​Ko makes him an offer he cannot refuse. Please wait until the end of the month, and I will perform the execution myself (so much easier!). In the mean time, you can marry Yum-​Yum. A deal made in heaven! Yet then they all discover that if a married man is executed, the wife must be buried alive, an event none of the three wishes to occur, especially Yum-​Yum.
Another complication emerges when a woman in the Mikado’s court, Katisha, arrives on the scene and announces that Nanki-​Poo is her fiancé, and that he has fled her embraces. Well, this should give you an idea of W. S. Gilbert’s zany plot.
HOT artistic director Henry Akina has brought the production into the 21^st century. He tweaked the dialog to introduce references to Starbucks and I-​pads (even to Unilocal!). To be sure Gilbert would have hated this (he would chew out his actors for even mispronouncing a single word of his lyrics). But the audience seemed to like the modernizing.
I thought Mr. Akina made a brilliant move by clothing the Ladies Chorus in the modern Japanese hipster girl style of Harajuku (or perhaps this was the decision of costume designer Anne Namba). This works perfect for the school girls in the play. The Gentlemen’s Chorus was portrayed as Japanese tourists, which the audience liked but I thought less successful.
The star of the Mikado is always Ko-​Ko, and Curt Olds played him in a wonderful modern style — somewhat foppish, very much full of himself, but also likeable. You could almost feel the audience smile when Curt’s Ko-​Ko made his entrances.
Sasha Asmar is a wonderful Yum-​Yum. Diminutive and petite Sasha allows Yum-​Yum to be her pixie self as she dances about the stage. To my great delight, Ms Asmar possesses a wonderful and powerful soprano voice, which is a must for anyone playing Yum-​Yum.
The best duets in the show come when Naki-​Poo (Joshua Kohl) sings with Yum-​Yum. Joshua’s strong baritone matches Sasha Asmar’s soprano perfectly, as it must.
Veteran HOT performer and local resident Jamie Offenbach makes a fine and imperious Mikado, and I loved local actress Megan Mount as Peep-​Bo (don’t you just love Gilbert’s character names!). I think Anne Namba, HOT’s own costume designer, deserves a special shout-​out. Her Harajuku costumes were adorable. Ms. Namba has recently worked with a «Madame Butterfly» production in Europe and HOT will be bringing this one to stage soon. I can’t wait.
I must say a word about the orchestra. They did a fine job with Sir Arthur Sullivan’s score. Sir Arthur, if you didn’t know, was a musical genius. The music in the «Mikado» still sounds as modern as this morning. It’s impossible to believe that the score is 130 years old.
Well there you have it. I deducted a star because the sound quality suffered in the dress rehearsal, but I’m sure this will be corrected. I also did not like Katisha’s portrayal as a fat woman. In the original production, Katisha is a beautiful woman who could not find love because men are afraid of her. A key element of the last scene comes when Katisha does find love and overcomes her sadness. For me this didn’t work in the current production. This is my opinion, of course, and many in the audience enjoyed Katisha.
Ok, enough of my rambling. Please, please, please, go see the «Mikado» if you possibly can. I know you will enjoy it.

Wonderful production of «Mikado». Kudos to Curt Olds (Ko-​ko), Victoria Livengood (Katish), and Jaime Offenbach (Mikado). Loved the local references in the dialog.

Ordered my tickets on the phone and the lady was very courteous and helpful. Soon after I hung up, I needed to order more tickets so I called back and the same lady answered. She was just as helpful as the first time I spoke with her. Great customer service.

I wouldn’t consider myself as a member of the arts community in Hawaii, but that is why I LOVE HOT. The prices are very affordable, and well worth it because the production is so amazing! They have been doing a great job incorporating other arts as well such as the interpretive dance in Carmina Burana and scenes in Turandot.
This year they have been doing pre-​parties at the Honolulu Club on the Tuesday shows called HOT Tuesday, and not only is it a great deal ($ 40 for both the party, a drink ticket, AND great seats for the show) but it’s a fun atmosphere. They have live music, opportunities to mingle, and a great view of the sunset on the blaisdell center.
I am very excited for next season! Can’t wait to see The Flying Dutchman and Madame Butterfly, but even more stoked that they will be doing a catfish story opera in Kaka’ako too. Definitely feel that HOT is becoming innovative in spreading their audience reach, especially with their memorabilia-​like brochures at the show.
Yeah, art after dark is cool, and art & flea, but if you want sophisticated fun, HOT hits the spot!

Awesome production of Paggliacci and Carmina Burana. One of course would expect a great cast for the key roles, but the minor roles and chorus where casted locally and performed beautifully. The production itself was fantastic for both-​great sets, smooth transitions, and well-​made costumes and makeup. Carmina Burana had a very creative dance ensemble throughout the act.
Great show and to top it all off, awesome seats cost us $ 40 and included the show and a pre-​show event with great pupus and 2 cocktails made with top shelf liquor! Amazing deal, will be sure to recommend and go again!!!

Just saw Turandot by Hawaii Opera Theatre. I was a guest if Unilocal!Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this Opera! Keep up the great work, Unilocal!!!

This is my second year as a cheapie-​seat ticket holder, and I love it! I’m not particularly knowledgeable about opera, but the music is beautiful, and the stories are odd (and tragic, or funny, in an enjoyable way). The sets range from perfectly acceptable to gorgeous, and the costumes are always lavish.
This year is their 50^th anniversary, and they’ve got a good line up that most people will be familiar with: Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro– you’ve probably heard some of the music), Die Walkure (whose music many will recognize from Bugs Bunny and Fudd’s tragedy «Kill the Wabbit»), and La Boheme (this music is everywhere! the 80’s film Moonstruck features the opera heavily). But even if you have NO IDEA what is going on– no worries! There are subtitles and short descriptions of what happens each act. There are also a variety of activities the week before the show opens to get you more acquainted with the opera.
Anyway, even if you are unsure about the opera– go for the people watching! There’s only three performances for each show, so a good portion of Oahu is present. The mix of sparkle and casual is fascinating, and it’s not uncommon to see a woman in a sequin-​dotted floor length gown standing in line for champagne next to someone wearing khakis and a fleece (it’s cold in there!).
Not a cheap evening, but a fun one!

The Wednesday before each performance, the Opera does a full dress rehearsal for students middle school through high school. Many schools participate and the audience is full! Make an effort to accompany your child’s field trip and get an AMAZING ($ 120) balcony AA seat for SIX DOLLARS. Do it!
FYI: Parking is also six dollars.

Hawaii Opera Theater (HOT) plays an important role in Hawaii’s small musical arts community. The 3 operas put on per year provide Hawaii’s people with the only opportunities to experience high caliber operatic performances without traveling thousands of miles away to the next professional venue. Soloists are imported from around the world to supplement the local talent. The Honolulu Symphony is employed to accompany the vocalists. HOT members visit schools to perform and do workshops as part of their educational program. During the summer (the off season) HOT will perform a major musical rather than an opera. This past summer they did «The King and I».
Seeing an opera in the Blaisdell Concert Hall is a nice alternative to the regular night outing to a movie or the club. Dressing up in semi-​formal attire is encouraged and fun, though aloha and business attire is also OK. Formal attire is expected if you attend the HOT opera ball.
Operas can be very long because pre-​TV/​movie-​viewing people had longer attention spans than we do today. I found Mozart’s Don Giovanni to be too long (almost 3 hours?), though the music was beautiful. The next opera being put on this year, Madama Butterfly, should be great! It’s one of the most popular operas to see anywhere. It’s basically the same story as Miss Saigon. This opera should be shorter than the Mozart.
This season HOT is performing on Maui for the first time, with a reduced orchestra. Hopefully the performaces will be a success and HOT can continue to expand.
Tickets for the Honolulu shows range in price from $ 42-​$ 120. If you subscribe to the whole season, or if you are a student, you can get deep discounts. Check out their website or call their office to see if you can get «hooked up».
Toll free 800.836.7372
Fax 808.596.0379
Box Office 808.596.7858