NEWS
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2015
HONU BY THE SEA TO BE FEATURED MUSICAL AT WORLD OCEAN DAY AT SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Internationally-acclaimed, locally-produced musical Honu By The Sea will be taking a message of aloha and ocean sustainability to Washington D.C. during two performances at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s World Ocean Day on June 7, 2015. The underwater fantasy will be performed twice, at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., at the Baird Auditorium as part of the museum’s two-day event that celebrates the ocean with interactive exhibits and activities that are free and open to the public. While in Washington D.C., the cast will also perform at Walter Reed Medical Center.
While this year marks the production’s second appearance at the museum, making a debut at this year’s World Ocean Day event will be Honu By The Sea’s new Honu character mascot. Honu will be traveling with the musical to greet and take photos with children and their families.
“I am thrilled that the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has invited Honu By The Sea back to be the featured musical at World Ocean Day,” said Johnson Enos, creator and producer of Honu By The Sea. “Although the musical is based on a Hawaiian boy and sea creatures, the message to protect our oceans is universal. Our hope is that the show will inspire children not only in Hawai‘i but around the world to be guardians of the sea,” he added.
Honu By The Sea is a family-friendly underwater musical fantasy. The show tells the story of a Waikīkī surfer-beachboy who finds a magical sea star that grants him a wish to spend a day under the sea. Kainoa the beachboy meets Malia the honu (sea turtle) along with other fascinating creatures including Hula Hoop the octopus, Shaka the crab, Nalu the toothless tiger shark and Kapper the sea horse. The Broadway-style musical provides lessons on the value of friendship and the virtues of saving the ocean environment through the magic of theater. The show features colorful costumes, lively choreography, stunning orchestration, and endearing songs that enhance the storytelling.
The show’s creator Johnson Enos, a Hawai‘i native, is well-known throughout the national music industry for his work with Disney. His credits include work for Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, the Lilo & Stitch II soundtrack and the Disney Tokyo parade. He has also produced and arranged albums with artists including Bette Midler, Kristin Chenoweth, Keali‘i Reichel, and more.
For more information on Honu By The Sea including the show’s tour schedule visit www.honubythesea.com.