Three theater productions to see this week

Diamond Head Theatre, Mānoa Valley Theatre and Kumu Kahua Theatre are sharing performances of their first shows of the new theater season this week.

“Smother,” which was written by an Oʻahu-based playwright, had its world premiere on Aug. 28 and runs through Sept. 28 at Kumu Kahua Theatre. “Come from Away” and “Da Mayah” start shows on Sept. 11 at Diamond Head Theatre and Mānoa Valley Theatre, respectively. Learn more about each production and how to get tickets: 

“Come from Away.” Diamond Head Theatre is launching its next season of shows with performances of “Come from Away,” a Tony Award-winning musical inspired by the 38 planes grounded in Canada after U.S. air space was closed following the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Performances run through Sept 28. Opening night is Sept. 11 for first responders and Sept. 12 for the general public.

As part of preparations for the show, actors and actresses spoke with Chef Vikram Garg, who runs UMI by Vikram Garg, located in the lobby of Halepuna Waikīkī by Halekulani. The Honolulu chef was among the people stranded in Canada and helped organize massive food efforts in makeshift kitchens to serve thousands of meals to the stranded passengers.

The cast includes Howard Bishop as Claude, Andrew Erwin as Oz, Kalani Hicks as Nick/Doug, Samuel Tofolo as Kevin J. , Isaiah Gundermann Graham as Bob, Jarren Amian as Bob, Vanessa Manuel-Mazullo as Beluah, Marisa Noelle Capalbo as Bonnie, Courtney Watanabe as Diane,  Leleaʻe “Buffy” Kahalepuna-Wong as Hannah, Ainsley Shearer as Janice and Chelsea LeValley as Beverely/Anette. Get tickets.

“Smother.” Box office manager Sara Ward can add playwright to her resume, following performances of “Smother,” which had its world premiere on Thursday, Aug. 28, at Kumu Kahua Theatre. “Smother” tells the story of a mother who goes to extreme lengths to control her daughter’s love life. 

On Sept. 12, the theater will launch its first Kumu Kahua Theatre Ladies Night, which allows attendees to buy one ticket and get a second one for free to that night’s performance by using the code “LADIES” at the box office or online. On the same day, the nearby Black Shamrock Tavern will also offer a themed drink called the Ginpenny Cocktail, which includes gin and limeade, for $6.

The show is directed by Harry Wong III and showcases Shannon Winpenny as Marcia, the mother, along with Kirstyn Trombetta as her daughter, Julia. Other featured actors include Kenia Chacon, Andrew Chow, Daron Gaskin, Alysia-Leila Kepa‘a, Kirk Alexander Lapilio, Kris10 Misaki and Jackie Young.  Get tickets.

“Da Mayah.” Mānoa Valley Theatre launched its 2025-2026 season with “Da Mayah,” an island-style comedy that runs Sept. 11- 28. Set in Hilo, it follows a new mayor with a shady past and involves a loyal assistant, hitman and karaoke bar owner.

“We’re thrilled to open our season with a true local gem that reflects our community’s humor, resilience, and spirit,” said Kathleen Young, the theatre’s executive director, in a written statement. “Lee Cataluna’s work is deeply rooted in Hawai‘i’s storytelling tradition, and ‘Da Mayah’ is both wildly entertaining and wonderfully relatable.”

The cast includes Elexis Draine as Sandralene, Devon Nekoba as Lester, Matthew Miller as Stanton, Karen Kuioka Hironaga as Jazzmin, Stu Hirayama as Dukie, Juvy Lucina as Kanani, and Sharon Garcia Doyle as Kalani. Get tickets.

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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.