Join us for a special showcase of a new musical by creative team Roslyn Catracchia and Grace Cathedral 2024 Artist in Residence Patrick Makuakāne. Together, they have written the book, music, and lyrics. The choreography is by Makuakāne. The dramaturg is none other than Stephen Schwartz, the great American composer and lyricist who wrote WICKED. The producer, Michael Jackowitz, has produced many shows on Broadway and recently won a Tony for Best Revival with “Once Upon this Island.”

Roz and Patrick, with Jana Anguay Alcain, who is playing the lead character Hiʻiaka, will share some of the music, and the challenges and triumphs of writing a new musical. Hear some of the amazing songs and get the inside scoop of the ten-year process it has taken to bring this production to the stage. They will have lots of stories to share that speak to the struggle of making a very native Hawaiian story feel universal.

This event is part of Spacious Grace, the cathedral’s annual free-form arts festival when we remove the pews and fill the space with exciting events. Now in its tenth year, Spacious Grace runs from February 18 to March 2. Explore the full lineup.

The Story of The Epic Tale of Hiʻiaka

The story of Pele and her sister Hiʻiaka stands at the fountainhead of Hawaiian myth. It remains to this day the most well-known story of Hawaiʻi’s ancient history and reveals itself once again with every volcanic eruption. Hiʻiaka-in-the-bosom-of-Pele is the youngest and most daring sister of Pele, goddess of the volcano. This coming-of-age story sends Hiʻiaka on pursuit to the island of Kauaʻi to retrieve Chief Lohiʻau, the love interest of Pele. On the surface this grand adventure is a very human account of love, justice, betrayal, and redemption. However, under the surface, it is a mythic expedition toward the sacred interior of the Hawaiian psyche, of a people dwelling on hallowed ground, and of a journey toward the recovery of the sacred inherent in every individual.

Experience the Exceptional: Become a GraceArts Member

GraceArts members get preferred seating. GraceArts connects a wider community of people through art and cultural events held in our awe-inspiring space. If you have a passion for the arts, become a GraceArts member and enjoy discounts and benefits while supporting our cathedral.  Sign up today to be part of GraceArts! 

Event Details

The cathedral will open for seating at 7 pm. The entrance to the cathedral is at the top of the Great Steps. The accessible entrance is via the glass doors on Taylor Street or from the cathedral garage. 

About the Performers

Jana Anguay Alcain hails from Waiahole on the windward side of ʻOahu. Born and raised in the world of theatre, she spent her childhood performing onstage under the direction of Ronald E. Bright (Castle Performing Arts Center), Marcelo Pacleb (24/7 Danceforce), and Lisa Matsumoto (Ohia Productions). Anguay Alcain was the featured vocalist in ARRA Montreal’s spellbinding musical Ulalena’ and worked for Norwegian Cruiselines as a Guest Entertainer for numerous years. After moving back home in 2008, she has been blessed to win numerous Na Hoku Hano Hano awards with New Hope Oahu Music. You can currently find her performing in ʻKawaʻa Luau at Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa. She is married to Frederick and they have 2 daughters, Jillian (16) and Eden (13).

Listen: New Hope Oahu – “Future + Hope (feat. Jana Anguay Alcain …

Roslyn Catracchia has been involved in many aspects of the musical theatre world in Hawaii for over 35 years now — writing, recording, producing, musical directing, and stage directing. She got her start composing professionally for the Honolulu Theatre for Youth in 1990, and soon after that she began working as lyricist and composer for Lisa Matsumoto and her Once Upon One Time Trilogy. She has written the songs and scores for over 40 musical productions, received seven Poʻokela Awards for her theatrical works and two Hoku nominations for her personal CDs. Roslyn has musical directed over 120 productions, both original works and popular musicals. Currently, she is working on two new musicals, “Hiʻiaka—An Epic Journey” with Patrick Makuakāne, and “Piney Needlesmith and the Road Less Traveled” with Peter Seibert. Roslyn is a proud member of ASCAP, The Dramatists Guild, and NLAPW.

Patrick Makuakāne is a 2023 MacArthur Fellow. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, he studied with renowned hula masters, Robert Uluwehi Cazimero and Mae Kamāmalu Klein. While grounded in the traditions of hula, his artistry crafts a provocative treatment of tradition that leaps forward in surprising and meaningful ways. His work explores an expansive variety of cultural traditions and colonial impact, including colonization, reclamation of Native Hawaiian agency, and gender fluidity. Patrick also serves as a spiritual advisor at San Quentin State Prison for the Hawaiian Religious Spiritual Group

Give to Grace 

You can help us bring the arts to life at Grace with a gift today. Click HERE to give (choose Music in the Fund Designation) or make an additional gift with your ticket purchase. Thank you for your support.