Honolulu will be trading in its palm trees for snowy Christmas
trees this winter at Ala Moana Center, as Merry, Mele and the rest
of The Christmas Gift of Aloha cast will begin their nightly
performances on November 24th. This year’s Hawaiian-style Christmas
performances will feature snow, in an unforgettable celebration of
the season.
The Christmas Gift of Aloha stage brings to life award-winning
author Lisa Matsumoto’s children’s story of Merry, a neophyte
Christmas elf who falls out of Santa’s sleigh and ends up in
Hawaii. He soon discovers the joy of the Hawaiian Christmas with
the help of his newfound friend, Mele Menehune. A live performance
of songs from the Na Hoku Hanohano Award-nominated soundtrack
enlivens the play.
A special ending caps off every performance of the musical this
year, as the grand finale features a lifelike snowfall from right
above center stage, transforming the theater into a winter
wonderland. The “snowflakes” flutter down gracefully and disappear
within a few minutes of hitting the floor, making the spectacle
even more realistic. An hour after the 6:00 pm finale, keiki are
able to ride with Santa as he steers his sleigh through Ala Moana
Center, joined by other cast members from The Christmas Gift of
Aloha.
The Christmas Gift of Aloha storybook by Lisa Matsumoto and
illustrated by Michael Furuya can be purchased for $16.95. The
Christmas Gift of Aloha Soundtrack CD featuring all the songs by
Roslyn from the stage show, which was a 2006 Na Hoku Hanohano award
nominee for best Christmas album, can also be purchased for $14.95.
Both are available at Ala Moana Center’s Barnes and Noble (Street
Level).
Performances take place nightly through Christmas Eve.
808-955-9517
www.alamoanacenter.com/holiday.htm
