‘The Three Year Swim Club’ makes a splash at Honolulu Theatre for Youth

HONOLULU—Honolulu Theatre for Youth presents the world premiere of The Three Year Swim Club, Lee A. Tonouchi’s inspiring play based on the true story of a group of ordinary local high school students in plantation-era Maui, who are determined to make it to the Olympics. Showtimes are Friday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays, February 6, 13, 20, 27 and March 6 at 4:30 p.m.

Set in the late 1930s, this production is inspired by the story of swimming coach Soichi Sakamoto and his Three Year Swim Club. Armed only with willpower, Sakamoto’s eccentric training techniques and the ambitious motto “Olympics First, Olympics Always,” four youngsters begin their training in sugar plantation irrigation ditches ? and end up astonishing themselves and the world.

The cast includes: Maile Holck as Fujiko “Fudge” Katsutani, Junior Tesoro as Kiyoshi “Keo” Nakama, Q as Takashi “Halo” Hirose, Moses Goods as William “Bill” Smith. All four actors also assume the role of Coach Soichi Sakamoto throughout the play. Harry Wong III guest-directs; choreographer is Jonathan Sypert; costume designer is Sandra Payne; props, set and light designer is H. Bart McGeehon; sound designer is Barrett Hoover.

Tickets are $8 for children and $16 for adults; college students with ID and seniors age 60 and over are admitted for $8; active duty military receive one free child admission with the purchase of each regularly priced adult ticket. Call the HTY box office at 839-9885. (Tickets are $10/$20 for the Friday, Feb. 5 opening night performance, which includes a post-show reception.) All performances will be held at Tenney Theatre at The Cathedral Church of St. Andrew in downtown Honolulu. American Sign Language-interpreted performance will be on Saturday, Mar. 6, 4:30 p.m. The play is recommended for children ages 8 and up.

Honolulu Theatre for Youth is Hawaii’s non-profit professional theatre company providing theatre and drama education programs that make a difference in the lives of Hawaii’s young people and families. Founded in 1955, HTY is recognized the world over as one of America’s most honored theatres. Explore HTY on the web at www.htyweb.org