Sympathy Jones sneaks on stage for 2-weekend run
Photo by Deven Aruda
“Sympathy Jones: The New Secret Agent Musical” starring the Kamehameha Schools Maui Drama Club premiers tonight, and runs for two weekends, Oct. 28 – Nov. 5, at Keōpūolani Hale. Admission is free.
“Sympathy Jones: The New Secret Agent Musical” starring the Kamehameha Schools Maui Drama Club premiers tonight and plays Saturday night at 7 p.m. on Oct. 28 and 29 and Nov. 4 and 5 at Keōpūolani Hale.
The play portrays a young receptionist who works at an intelligence agency during the 1960s. Sympathy Jones aspires to be a spy and save the day. When a classified file is left on her desk, this becomes the opportunity she has been waiting for. Jones goes undercover to solve the case and prove herself in a male dominate environment. She quickly realizes that some things are too big to do on your own, and Jones will need some help from her friends.
With a simple but imaginative set, the cast members bring to life a musical full of energy. The cast truly embodies their different characters, from a spunky receptionist, played by Mariana Kaniho, to an evil henchman, Cullen Mitchell.
Kaniho looked the part of a receptionist with the goofiness and perkiness of Sympathy Jones, and her voice worked well with the rest of the cast. Throughout the play, everyone’s harmonies were spot on.
Sophomore Tehoni Naeole played Henry Greene, and he had his character’s sweet awkwardness down pat as a reluctant spy, always one step behind Jones.
As for the antagonist, senior Kailee Kaeo did a great job at portraying the villain. She walked and talked like one and embodied the whole villain vibe.
The costumes bring all aspects of the musical together. The array of different colors each character wears helps distinguish which character is being portrayed because many cast members play more than one part.
The musical is full of humorous numbers and on-stage fighting scenes. This makes it enjoyable for those who like comedy as well as action, although the fighting scenes are still quite comical.
Also throughout the play, there are hints of romance. Your eyes are drawn to the romance, and you begin to root for characters to be together.
As a special treat for long-time fans, there is even a special appearance by a 2016 Drama Club alumnus, but I won’t spoil the surprise by naming him here.
The musical will be showing this weekend, Oct. 28 and 29 at 7 p.m., as well as next weekend, Nov. 4 and 5, at 7 p.m. On Nov. 5 there will also be a matinee performance at 2 p.m along with the 7 p.m. show.
