TAG’s ‘Merry Christmas Roberta’ benefit performance shines a spotlight on houselessness

Merry Christmas Roberta is a heartwarming drama about friendship, forgiveness, and the love of family. Inspired by the “homeless” and small business owners who share Honolulu’s Chinatown, Roberta premiered in 2008, receiving Pookela awards for Best Overall Play and Featured Female in a Play. Put on by The Actor’s Group (TAG), the play returns this holiday season with two of the principal actors from the original production. 

A special benefit performance will be held for Hawaii’s Institute for Human Services (IHS) on Thursday, December 16. All seats are $45—TAG is donating half its proceeds from that day to IHS.

The non-profit organization provides respite for those who are unsheltered and offers solutions that transform the lives of “homeless” and at-risk people. IHS remains the only 24-hour walk-in, emergency shelter on Oahu and continues to provide a full range of services to men, women, and families with children who are homeless and in danger of becoming homeless. The agency operates two facilities in Honolulu, one for men at 350 Sumner Street, capable of serving up to 200 men each night, and the other, for women and families, at 546 Kaaahi Street, serving up to 100 single women and 23-27 families with as many as 60 children daily. The agency strives to be ADA compliant and will make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.

TAG has provided more than a decade of theatre in Hawaii and remains a focal point for actors and audiences looking for straight theatre excellence. Based in Downtown Honolulu, the performers and volunteers at TAG are looking to contribute to helping Hawaii’s “homeless” through the arts.

Merry Christmas Roberta‘s dramatic content is recommended for mature audiences as a tale that will tug at your heart strings and warm your spirits for the holiday season.

The show officially opens Friday, December 17 and runs through Sunday, January 9, 2011.

Merry Christmas Roberta
By Eric Nemoto and Jon Brekke
Directed by Jon Brekke
Adapted for the stage by Michael Wurth and Jon Brekke

Location: Dole Cannery Square
650 Iwilei Rd Suite 101

Showtimes: Thursday through Saturday from 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Admission Prices for the regular run: General $20, Senior $15, Students and military with valid ID $12, all seats on Thursdays $10

Tickets are available online at www.taghawaii.net or call (808) 722-6941.

Cast
Laurie Tanoura as Roberta
Brandi Taylor as Lynette
Eric Nemoto as Alvin
Maile Holck as Noreen
Tracy Hanayo Okubo as Candace & Paula Beckman
Mark Malalis as Ben
Charlotte Dias as Mrs. Delacruz