Aloha Las Vegas, a local-style comedy written by Edward Sakamoto, opens a weekend run at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Performing Arts Center (PAC) beginning Thursday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. Other performances are April 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 15, at 2 p.m.
The play centers around Wally Fukuda, a retired widower struggling to move forward in his life while keeping his traditional values intact and embracing the memory of his late wife, Kay. His long-term friend, Harry, entices him to move to Las Vegas. Wally’s long-time housekeeper and friend, Gracie, recognizes Wally’s stress and strain from remaining engulfed in an environment he can no longer share with his wife and tries to help his children, Butch and June, adjust to their father’s decision to relocate.
The show is directed by Justina Mattos, with scene and lighting design by Ariana Bassett and costumes by Jackie Pualani Johnson. The cast includes UH Hilo faculty and staff members Jon Sakurai Horita as Wally, Desmon Haumea as Harry, and Glenn Fernandez as Alvin. UH Hilo students are Samantha Leatualiʻi as Deedee and Reece Naukana-Christensen as Butch, UH Hilo alumna Angela Nakamura as June, and community member KellyRae Aguiar as Gracie.
Tickets are reserved seating and priced at $15 General, $10 Discount and $5 UH Hilo/Hawaiʻi Community College students (with a valid student ID) and children, up to age 17 pre-sale, and $20, $15 and $10 at the door. Tickets are available by calling the UH Hilo Box Office at 932-7490, Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., or ordering online at artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu.