Ulalena
The
Maui Myth & Magic Theatre Presents 'Ulalena (by ARRA),
a theatrical experience as impressive as the story. This is
not just a theatre. It is a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art
venue built for this presentation. It employs the talents
of some of Hawaii's most distinguished musicians and performers,
combining live traditional Hawaiian music with 8-channel surround
sound.
'Ulalena
is an amazing theatrical experience for all ages, presented
in a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art theatre unlike
any in Hawaii. While you are on Maui, make sure you reserve
an evening to experience this fabulous stage production.
Every
seat maintains a sense of intimacy and interaction with the
performance. Traditional Butoh theatre is blended with acrobatic
feats of strength and beauty. Hula is combined with modern
dance. Rich costumes, lighting and stage design are woven
together into a filigree of fantastic images drawn from Hawaiian
legend and history, pulling the viewer out of time and into
a place of wonder, experiencing with awe the spirit-filled
landscape of the imagination of the ancient Hawaiian story
tellers.

'Ulalena is a wind unique to Maui, as said in the Kumulipo,
an ancient Hawaiian creation chant, as well as a red-yellow
colored rain revealed by the twilight. Like a soft wind in
the mist of light.
'Ulalena
invites each spectator to a place of wonder. "It is often
said that life is a journey, an individual voyage which does
not necessarily involve change of place. One is changed by
events and the passage of time." (Eugenio Barba, The
Paper Canoe, A Guide to Theatre Anthropology.)
'Ulalena
explores relationships between people, nature and mythology.
The use of metaphors integrates Hawaiian chants and dances,
original music and choreography, lighting and projections
to support the talents of unique performers.
'Ulalena
is a journey where the moment to moment excitement of self-discovery
is the destination.
There
is a wind peculiar to Maui that rises at twilight. It whispers
of other places and other times, both mythic and real. It
blows between daylight and night, between times and worlds.
It is hopeful and cleansing. The ancient Hawaiian name for
this wind is “'Ulalena.” It is also the name of
the newest and most amazing stage production to come from
Hawaii in decades.
The power
of this production is that it is both universal and intimate.
Born from a mythology populated by beings larger than life
representing a natural landscape alive with volcanoes, vast
oceans and primeval rain forests, the story begins with the
mythic creation of the islands and rolls through successive
waves of voyagers who have found their way to these shores.
From the first Polynesians to Captain Cook, and finally to
us.
This is
a unique and compelling story. One worth telling. And Maui
Theatre presents a theatrical experience as impressive as
the story.