PCC sets new night show debut

 

 

The Polynesian Cultural Center has recently announced the following:

 

A new wind is blowing into the Polynesian Cultural Center's Pacific Theater this summer with Hä: Breath of Life, a spectacular new interactive Polynesian night show like nothing else seen in Hawaii. The $3 million show will bring the performance into the audience and utilize exciting new technology when it debuts on August 14, 2009.

 

Guests will identify with the lead character, Mana, as he evolves through the universal life themes of boyhood, young love, respect and appreciation for elders, and how important community can be for individuals and families. All themes are central to the Polynesian cultures and are applicable to every individual, relaying the message of family, hope, pride and heritage.

 

Hä in Hawaiian literally means "breath" or "breathe," is closely associated in a more spiritual sense with "the breath of life," and is reflected in the Hawaiian words of aloha or "love" and 'ohana or "family."

 

"Our night show has always served as the perfect ending for our guests after spending a day at the Center," said Von D. Orgill, president of the Polynesian Cultural Center. "With Hä: Breath of Life, we've worked to create an interactive and engaging experience that captivates audiences while it reinforces what they've learned about our Polynesian cultures through the telling of one man's life story. It also allows us to illustrate the storyline in animation, dance and music so that guests no longer require translation to understand what is happening on stage."

 

Hä: Breath of Life will showcase a newly redesigned stage in the Pacific Theater that creates a 360-degree experience bringing guests into the heart of the show and allows for surprises throughout. Original compositions produced with cultural experts from each of the Center’s island villages will set the aural backdrop for each scene as Mana transitions through the Polynesian cultures of Hawaii, Tonga, New Zealand, Samoa, Tahiti and Fiji. The truly unique addition of original animation created by noted animation instructor Ryan Woodward from Brigham Young University Provo will help transition from one culture to the next and envelop the viewer further into the story.

 

"The new show has been in production for the past three years with a coordinated effort that started at the grassroots level in our island villages and worked its way through our skilled production team," said P. Alfred Grace, Chief Operating Officer for the Polynesian Cultural Center. "Each costume, song and dance has been carefully crafted by our team to draw our guests into the story and create a wonderful connection with the characters and memories to last a lifetime. We're really excited to share Hä with everyone and bring something new to Hawaii’s visitor industry to help further enhance our destination."

 

Hä: Breath of Life replaces the PCC's long-running night show Horizons: Where the Sea Meets the Sky that has been a visitor favorite since 1996. On February 25, hundreds of community residents were able to see a conceptual preview of the new night show, and most were very excited about it. The Samoan images shown above were taken during that previe.

 

"We believe Hä will appeal to all of our guests — first-time, repeat and kamaaina — because it has a little something for everyone," said Grace. "It's important to continually improve and expand our products based on extensive customer feedback surveys and we've worked hard to create an experience like no other. It was key that the new show be inclusive and easily translated across cultures to make it a guest favorite for years to come.”

 

As the excitement builds for the new show, updates about the production will be posted on the Polynesian Cultural Center's website at www.polynesia.com. Guests interested in attending the grand opening on August 14 are encouraged to book their tickets early online or by calling the Reservations Office at (800) 367-7060. Check often for package specials and unique production information.

 

Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more the 33 million visitors, while preserving and portraying the culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to 17,000 young people from over 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University–Hawaii. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC’s revenue is used for daily operations and to support education.

 

— Photos by Mike Foley