David Braman is 11 years old.
Olaf is a giant snowman.
Already, they’re best friends.
“I like him,” Braman said. “He’s spunky, funny, and he has a childlike innocence about him. He’s the guy who makes you laugh a lot.”
It so happens, Braman is spunky, funny, and makes people laugh, too.
He plays Olaf in Hawaii Children’s Theatre’s “Summer Stars” program, the hour-long presentation of “Frozen, Jr.” that opens tonight and runs through Sunday.
“The way Olaf walks is really fun to do,” Braman said. “He doesn’t walk like a normal human.”
So how does a snowman walk?
Braman laughs.
“He kind of waddles,” he said.
Braman will be on stage tonight, along with Rayna Shafter, who plays Elsa.
“It’s just the magic of it,” she said when asked what’s the best part of being in the musical. “It’s really cool that my character has magical powers and I get to pretend to be a princess for a day.”
Shafter did have one problem with her lead role: Elsa is a bit private, quiet, not all that outgoing, “which I can’t really relate to at all,” she said, laughing.
The 14-year-old did get some acting tips from her older sisters, Kenna and Mariah, both who have been through HCT. They helped her with delivering lines and studying her character.
Shafter sings two solos, including the popular “Let It Go.” She’s been practicing hard and is ready, said Dolly Kanekuni, HCT president.
“She’s going to kill it,” she said.
As one of the older students in HCT’s “Summer Stars,” Shafter sees herself as a role model, so she pours energy and passion into each performance.
She believes the show could inspire kids to become actors and actresses.
“I have to be a leader for the other kids,” she said.
Director Rebecca Hanson is excited for this version of “Frozen, Jr.”
“This show in particular, it speaks to my heart because I have a special relationship with my sister and this is a story about sisters,” she said. “There are so many profound things these characters say to each other about love and acceptance, coming together as a community.”
Elsa, Hanson said, has powers, and she fears others will think she is a monster if they know about them. But as the story unfolds, people come together in love and support each other, “which is a great message for these kids,” Hanson said.
The cast of 52 has been working six weeks to be ready for this weekend’s three shows. They learned choreography for 10 numbers. It involves more than 200 costumes, and an array of specialists for makeup, hair, lighting and sound.
“They’ve all come together for this one particular show for the kids,” Hanson said. “If I could say anything to the community, it’s come and watch these kids shine. They have grown so much in their confidence. They are ready to show you what they can do and tell this story.
“Support them by coming to the show and allowing these programs to continue,” she added.
Kanekuni noted that this is HCT’s 22nd year of summer programs.
“It doesn’t happen without the support of family and community,” she said. “Mahalo to everybody. Come out, let us entertain you.”
She’s confident the cast will put on outstanding shows, and is looking forward to them.
“I’ll be crying,” she said.
For Braman, who was in HCT’s “Newsies,” this is his first lead role, and he’s serious about being the best Olaf he can be.
“You kind of turn into your character. It’s really cool to watch the process,” he said.
That includes getting the walk right, so Braman practices by waddling around at home.
“Hi mom, hi dad,” he says as he waddles past them.
“Are you OK?” they ask.
Just fine, their smiling son answers as he wiggles and wobbles away.
•••
Wanna go?
The Hawaii Children’s Theatre’s “Summer Stars” program presents ‘Frozen, Jr.’ at 7 tonight and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Today’s TGIF incorrectly stated Saturday’s showtime. Info: www.HawaiiChildrensTheatre.org, 246-8985
