The Polynesian Cultural Center presented a conceptual preview of its new Samoan, Tahitian and Fijian night show sections for the board of directors and community members who filled the Pacific Theater after the regular show on February 25 . . . and if the audience's reaction were a good indicator, "Ha, the Breath of Life," which will tentatively premiere in mid-summer, will be a hit.

Before the preview began, PCC Director of Cultural Presentations Delsa Moe said that starting "about a year-and-a-half ago we experimented with some new things to see what our audience might like, to give us an indication of what kind of new night show we should create for our guests. We also wanted to see the acceptance level of our guests when it came to a mixture of contemporary Polynesian as well as traditional art. So, at that time we created a new overture and finalé."

She noted the new night show will see several staging and lighting effects put into place — such as large tapa cloth sails that drop from the top of the amphitheater and act as a screen for projected animation and narration between sections. Likewise, the stage itself has been modified: Two rows of seats have been removed so the stage appears more like an island, complete with a sandy beach.

"Ha, the Breath of Life" also contains a dramatic story line with universal appeal that runs through the sections. For example through song, dance and enactments during the preview:

• The Samoans portrayed the mutual attraction of a young man and woman.
• The Tahitians celebrated their marriage [pictured at right].
• And the Fijians experienced the birth of their child as well as the death of a family member [pictured below] during an attack by enemies.

Moe said story-line elements that might occur in the other night show sections include the Tongans accepting a shipwrecked couple into their community, the Hawaiians celebrating their first-year baby luau, and the Maoris teaching their customs to the youth.

Before the performers came on stage, Moe reminded the audience, "Please remember, this is still a work in progress. We've got a long ways to go, but we hope you'll appreciate our efforts."

And the audience did. A lot. It was great!

Afterward, PCC President & CEO Von D. Orgill said "it was fun to see the celebrations of life" and thanked the cast for their "tremendous amount of work. I always thought we would get to a point where everybody would feel so excited about the new night show, and we're looking forward to the time when we can officially announce it to the outside world." However, he added that the Center's board of directors must first approve that date.

"We've already put together a marketing plan that will work with this in a very effective way," Orgill continued. "The key is, because of the constraints in the economy right now, we're trying to be very careful with all of the financial resources that we have. It's important for the board of directors to feel this is the most effective, highest-leverage way we can use those resources to move forward."

If PCC Chairman of the Board Mark Willes response was indicative, that approval shouldn't be long in coming. He joked that for 15 years he has left the night show "totally depressed that I don't have a body like the young men I see dancing. But also every time we come, we look at your faces, and we love you. We not only see the energy and enthusiasm you have, we also see the spirit you have inside."

After praising the existing night show, Willes explained putting on a new night show "is designed to help people have another reason to come back to the Center, again and again." And thanking the cast for the "extra time and effort, after tonight I can see that every bit of it has been worthwhile. It's going to be a spectacular show."

As the cast cleared the stage, PCC senior manager Ellen Gay Dela Rosa also said, "Getting to this point with the second half of the new night show is a miracle," and she explained that rehearsals for the next six months would focus on the first half. "There's still a lot of work to be done."

 

— Story and Photos by PCC alumnus Mike Foley