The Chancellor’s Gala on the stage of Palikū Theatre was a delightful evening of music and merriment.
After a champagne reception in Gallery ʻIolani, guests and their friends were treated to a magical evening on the stage of Palikū Theatre. Windward CC Chancellor Dykstra and UH System Interim President Lassner spoke of the progress that WCC has made, and the passion and support of donors. The evening’s hosts, a Wizard (Tom Holowach) and Fairy Godmother (Tadia Rice) extolled the virtues of education and philanthropic support, and encouraged guests to enter a “magic portal” to contribute to the campus initiatives.
Continuing a theme of enchantment, tongue-in-cheek Little Red Riding ‘Hoodie’ and Jack and the Beanstalk skits were superbly acted by Windward CC students. The fairy tales cleverly highlighted the nine campus initiatives featured for the evening, by bringing to light the tremendous powers of education to fulfill the hidden aspirations of each of the cast of characters. Even the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood could have left a brutal past behind with the help of a college education.
Talented Windward CC students performed memorable music. The chorus sang songs from “Beauty and the Beast,” and later a poignant choral “The Prayer” sung in both English and Hawaiian. The authentic backstage-between-productions setting was perfect for the surprise appearance by a masked “Phantom of the Opera” singing the showstopper “Music of the Night.”
Mahalo to generous donors who gave $15,000 to nine outstanding programs that evening and believe in the magic of transforming lives through education!
