The Diamond Head Theatre is a cultural institution in the United States. Calling itself the Broadway of the Pacific, it is located on the slopes of Diamond Head in Honolulu, Hawaii. Opened in 1915, it is Hawaii's oldest performing arts center[1].
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On April 28, 1915, a new theatrical group called The Footlights was born when Will Lewers, Mrs. Walter F. Dillingham, Helen Alexander, Margaret Center and Gerrit Wilder appeared in The Amazons by Pinero. The performance took place at the Honolulu Opera House, where the main Post Office on Merchant Street now stands. The legacy of those theatre lovers grew into the third-oldest, continuously operating theatre in the entire United States.
In 1934, The Footlights reorganized and took on a new name: Honolulu Community Theatre. In the original mission statement, still honored today, the theatre committed itself to community service through the art of theatre, involving the people of Hawaii as audience members, stage crew and performers.
During World War II, Honolulu Community Theatre productions entertained thousands of troops at over 300 performances throughout the Pacific (a tradition they continued with the Pacific tour of Ain't Misbehavin' during the 1990 season). Then, in 1952, Honolulu Community Theatre took up residence in the Fort Ruger Theatre, the Army Post's then movie house. Major refurbishments to make that structure a fully modern venue for stage productions included the addition of scene and costume shops, installation of lighting and sound systems, handicapped-accessible restrooms, a first-ever lobby for patrons and an upstairs addition for expanded office space, spotlights, and sound and lighting boards.
In 1990, Honolulu Community Theatre was renamed Diamond Head Theatre. Each season Diamond Head Theatre offers six mainstage theatrical productions, including five major musicals. They provide theatre workshops to train residents of Hawaii in the theatrical arts. Acting, voice and dance classes for children, teens, and adults are offered throughout the year. Diamond Head Theatre's Shooting Stars, a youth performing arts troupe, provides exposure and training to area youth.
2007 - 2008 Season
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
September 21, 2007 – October 7, 2007
Meet Me in St. Louis
November 30, 2007 – December 16, 2007
Barefoot in the Park
February 1, 2008 – February 17, 2008
Flower Drum Song
March 21, 2008 – April 6, 2008
The Producers
May 16, 2008 – June 1, 2008
The Wizard of Oz
July 11, 2008 – July 27, 2008
2008 - 2009 Season
Les Misérables
A Hawaii Community Theatre Premiere
September 26, 2008 – October 12, 2008
Peter Pan
December 5, 2008 – December 31, 2008
Souvenir
A Hawaii Premiere
January 30, 2009 – February 15, 2009
Gypsy
March 20, 2009 – April 5, 2009
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
A Hawaii Premiere
May 15, 2009 – May 31, 2009
The Wedding Singer
A Hawaii Premiere
July 10, 2009 – July 26, 2009
2009-2010 Season
The Drowsy Chaperone
A Hawaii Premiere
September 25 – October 11, 2009
Irving Berlin's White Christmas
A Hawaii Premiere
December 4 – 20, 2009
The Joy Luck Club
January 29 – February 14, 2010
SHOUT! The Mod Musical
A Hawaii Premiere
March 19 – April 4, 2010
Guys and Dolls
May 14 – 30, 2010
The Sound Of Music
July 9 – 25, 2010
Deena Dray, Executive Director
“As Managing and Executive Director, a position she has held since September 1995, Deena is directly responsible for the management and direction of Diamond Head Theatre. She supervises a staff of thirteen, works with a 40-member Board and interacts regularly with hundreds of volunteers, cast members, and parents and friends of DHT.”
John Rampage, Artistic Director
“Diamond Head Theatre's Artistic Director is John Rampage. A 27-time Po'okela Award winner, John directed, choreographed and starred in Diamond Head Theatre's production of Cabaret.
John's work at Diamond Head Theatre also includes directing and choreographing the musical Nine, a recipient of seven Po'okela Awards, Follies, Mame, Cinderella, Victor/Victoria, Phantom, 42nd Street, The Pirates of Penzance, Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George, Crazy for You, as well as Manoa Valley Theatre's productions of Into the Woods, Grand Hotel, Kiss of the Spider Woman and Side Show.
In addition, he has headed award-winning productions of Cabaret, Anything Goes, La Cage Aux Folles and Gypsy at Leeward Community College Theatre, and continues to teach musical theatre at Queen Emma Dance, Inc. and Diamond Head Theatre.”