Diamond Head Theatre Informations

Coordinates: 21°16.280′N 157°48.149′W / 21.271333°N 157.802483°W / 21.271333; -157.802483

The Diamond Head Theatre is a cultural institution in the United States. Calling itself the Broadway of the Pacific, it is located on the slopes of Diamond Head in Honolulu, Hawaii. Opened in 1915, it is Hawaii's oldest performing arts center.

On April 28, 1915, a new theatrical group called The Footlights was born when Will Lewers, Mrs. Walter F. Dillingham, Helen Alexander, Margaret Center and Gerrit Wilder appeared in The Amazons by Pinero. The performance took place at the Honolulu Opera House, where the main Post Office on Merchant Street now stands. The legacy of those theatre lovers grew into the third-oldest, continuously operating theatre in the entire United States.

In 1934, The Footlights reorganized and took on a new name: Honolulu Community Theatre. In the original mission statement, still honored today, the theatre committed itself to community service through the art of theatre, involving the people of Hawaii as audience members, stage crew and performers.

During World War II, Honolulu Community Theatre productions entertained thousands of troops at over 300 performances throughout the Pacific (a tradition they continued with the Pacific tour of Ain't Misbehavin' during the 1990 season). Then, in 1952, Honolulu Community Theatre took up residence in the Fort Ruger Theatre, the Army Post's then movie house. Major refurbishments to make that structure a fully modern venue for stage productions included the addition of scene and costume shops, installation of lighting and sound systems, handicapped-accessible restrooms, a first-ever lobby for patrons and an upstairs addition for expanded office space, spotlights, and sound and lighting boards.

In 1990, Honolulu Community Theatre was renamed Diamond Head Theatre. Each season Diamond Head Theatre offers six mainstage theatrical productions, including five major musicals. They provide theatre workshops to train residents of Hawaii in the theatrical arts. Acting, voice and dance classes for children, teens, and adults are offered throughout the year. Diamond Head Theatre's Shooting Stars, a youth performing arts troupe, provides exposure and training to area youth.

2007 - 2008 Season

The Best Little Whorehouse in TexasSeptember 21, 2007 – October 7, 2007

Meet Me in St. LouisNovember 30, 2007 – December 16, 2007

Barefoot in the ParkFebruary 1, 2008 – February 17, 2008

Flower Drum SongMarch 21, 2008 – April 6, 2008

The Producers May 16, 2008 – June 1, 2008

The Wizard of OzJuly 11, 2008 – July 27, 2008

2008 - 2009 Season

Les MisérablesA Hawaii Community Theatre PremiereSeptember 26, 2008 – October 12, 2008

Peter PanDecember 5, 2008 – December 31, 2008

SouvenirA Hawaii Premiere January 30, 2009 – February 15, 2009

GypsyMarch 20, 2009 – April 5, 2009

Dirty Rotten ScoundrelsA Hawaii Premiere May 15, 2009 – May 31, 2009

The Wedding SingerA Hawaii Premiere July 10, 2009 – July 26, 2009

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