Suddenly it's all over...

On Friday, May 15 at 7:30 pm, and on Saturday, May 16 at 2:00 pm, in the Rasmuson Theater, NMAI Cultural Arts presented a production of Victoria Kneubuhl’s The Conversion of Ka’ahumanu. This play examines the complex relationships among Christian missionaries and indigenous Hawaiian women 40 years after the islands’ first contact with the West. There was a special event preview performance for NMAI members on Thursday, May 14, followed by a reception where members met and talked with the playwright and the cast. This was the first play produced by the NMAI’s Mall museum drawing entirely on local resources, including Cultural Arts Program Specialists Vincent P. Scott, director, and Janet Clark, stage manager. Prior to the Thursday and Friday evening shows the Mitsitam Café offered a special menu of Hawaiian-style tapas, with music provided in the café by members of Halau Ho’omau. Approximately 550 people attended the performances, which were received with great enthusiasm and standing ovations.