Whether in the footlights or behind the scenes, musician, director and actor Dennis McGraw is at home on stage. For over 20 years Kaua‘i audiences have applauded his commanding presence as an actor, his lung capacity as a trombone player,
Whether in the footlights or behind the scenes, musician, director and actor Dennis McGraw is at home on stage.
For over 20 years Kaua‘i audiences have applauded his commanding presence as an actor, his lung capacity as a trombone player, his leadership in the orchestra pit as conductor, and his dedication directing youth in the Kaua‘i Performing Arts Center.
In the 10 years McGraw has been grooming young actors in the after-school program based out of Kaua‘i High School, he has produced three performances a year and still managed to participate in community theater year-round.
McGraw moved to Kaua‘i in 1989. As a musical director in the cruise-line industry, his travels brought him to Kaua‘i.
“The first time I got off the ship in Kaua‘i I said, ‘OK, this is it,’ and started saving money to move,” he said.
A degree in education landed him his first teaching job at Kapa‘a High School, where he worked as band director before transferring to Kapa‘a Middle School.
It wasn’t long before McGraw decided to stretch beyond his musical roots to explore acting. After taking a Shakespeare class with then KPAC director Arnold Meister he was cast in “Taming of the Shrew.” His debut on stage was postponed when a motorcycle accident laid him up with 11 operations in 13 days. McGraw attributes his recovery to the passion he felt for the stage.
“While in the hospital the thought of acting is what kept me going,” he said. “That’s the power of positive thinking.”
In the ensuing years McGraw would be cast in “The Odd Couple,” “Damn Yankees,” “Tony and Tina’s Wedding,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Fantastics,” not to mention three years in “South Pacific.”
As a director his energy and craftsmanship have been witnessed in “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Annie,” “Big River,” “All My Sons” and “Cinderella.”
Next week McGraw’s talents as director will be visible again when KPAC presents “Once Upon a Mattress,” opening April 23. Then in May he will perform on stage in “Art,” a production for Kaua‘i Community Players directed by his wife, Laurel Petterson-McGraw.
Between directing Kaua‘i youth, playing trombone with Pacific Sound Machine and acting or directing with Kaua‘i Community Players, McGraw makes no bones about the rigors of the stage. Even while refining the KPAC production for viewing next week, he is in the throes of rehearsing for his next role on stage.
“Memorizing lines is hard work and that’s all there is to it. Most important is to learn lines as quickly as possible so I can create a consistent and believable character,” he said.
McGraw’s dedication and vision shine through in every KPAC production. In his 10 years as director he has expanded the program to include a first-semester play at the high-school level, and hopes to broaden the experience for youth by refining the program further.
“High school is four years and I want to rotate drama, comedy, Shakespeare and a student-directed-and-written show,” he said. “I want there to be a four-year cycle of plays.”
“Once Upon a Mattress” opens April 23 at the Lihu‘e Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall and runs for two weekends: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays through May 2.
“Once Upon a Mattress” is the story of a love-sick nobleman wishing to marry his sweetheart. No one in Prince Dauntless’s kingdom is permitted to marry until the prince himself exchanges vows — a problem magnified by an overprotective mother, Queen Aggravain. This does not sit well with the honorable Sir Harry, a man whose heart longs to wed the fair Lady Larkin and, after a long journey specifically designed to find the prince a bride, he returns to his kingdom to present Princess Winnifred of the swamps. Immediately smitten with the princess, Prince Dauntless sets into motion plans for a lavish wedding as his scheming mother cooks up a test that’s sure to send his marital plans awry.
Tickets are: adults, $10 advance, $12 at the door; students, $8 advance, $10 at the door. Tickets are available from cast members or at North Shore Pharmacy, Kilauea; Jim Saylor Jewelers, Kapa‘a; Mac Made Easy, Lihu‘e, (next to Sleeping Giant Realty on Ahukini Road); Progressive Expressions, Koloa; Scotty’s Music, Kalaheo.
