See 'Ulalena, a Tale of Hawaii

At the end of the day, theater in Hawaii doesn't get any better than Maui Myth & Magic Theatre's production of 'Ulalena." The show, which draws its authenticity and bewitching spirit from the chants and hula that recount the tales of Hawaii's mythical gods and goddesses, reaches well beyond folklore for its artistic integrity.

What sets 'Ulalena apart from other big stage productions that tell Hawaii's story in song and dance is its subtle international influence, its technical wizardry, and its superb music that seems to move effortlessly from the haunting entreaties of ancient chants to the complex orchestral treatments of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian sounds and rhythms.

Canadians Michel Cusson and Luc Boivin composed the music with the help of Hawaiian master slack key guitarist Keola Beamer and historian, singer and composer Nona Beamer. 'Ulalena's brilliant drummers and musicians and the intricate sounds and rhythms they supply are as much a part of this show as the equally brilliant dancers and singers on stage.

The orchestra pit isn't a pit at all, but more like a loft molded to the wall to the right of the stage. Its position allows the audience a good view of the musicians. One of the percussionists, Doug Floyd, has earned the nickname Man in the Cage, for his wild dancing and drumming inside the open-sided structure that houses his percussion unit.

With the exception of one song, which is sung in Portuguese, the lyrics are chanted or sung in Hawaiian. The only English you'll hear is the chorus of the title song, "'Ulalena," which is defined as a misty rain. The program and occasional prompts projected in English on the stage are enough for most audience members to follow the story.

Maui Myth & Magic Theatre, built to house 'Ulalena, has been called a living theater because it is designed to envelop the audience into the performance. The $9.5 million theater, located at 878 Front St., Lahaina, seats 700 people and features 8-channel surround sound, a rotating stage and multi-media presentation capabilities. 'Ulalena will appeal to audiences of all ages. Performances are staged Tuesday through Saturday at 6 p.m.