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| The Samoan cast of Island Fire during the finale |
To put it mildly, “Island Fire,” currently appearing at the Dutton Family Theatre, adds another sizzling dimension to Branson’s extravaganza of live entertainment. When the mystique of Polynesia, the excitement of fire and the beauty, grace, enthusiasm of a great cast of native Samoan performers is combined with beautiful Polynesian sets, authentic costuming, great choreography, and the obvious love of the cast for what they are doing, the result is a very different and special show. A show that shares the wonders, culture, and beauty of the cast’s native Samoa and Polynesian Islands while it entertains, educates, and amazes at the same time.
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| Fire knife dancer Iefata Saoleitti |
For those who don’t want to read a whole review, here’s the Ole Seagull’s one paragraph review. From the first haunting notes of the Conch shell to the last beautiful notes of “Aloha Oe” in the finale, audiences are given a rare opportunity to experience the beauty, grace, excitement, and culture of Polynesia and Samoa. In between there is the graceful beauty of different styles of Polynesian dancing and music, the excitement of the, “Ailao afi,” fire knife dancers, the beautiful voice of David Lomond, and other fun filled and humorous activities. Anyone wanting to experience a little bit of all that is Polynesia, either for the first time or in reminiscence, or who is looking for a new and unique Branson entertainment experience will not want to miss this show.
The show’s fiery and dramatic start, coupled with the Polynesian sets, helps transition the audience’s mind set from those things Ozarkian to things Samoan and Polynesian. By the time the cast says “Hello,” which is “Talofa” in Samoan, through a bit of audience participation and the performance of their first two numbers, the transition should be complete. Most in the audience will be infused with the spirit of Polynesia and ready to participate and appreciate the authentic Polynesian adventure unfolding before them.
And what an adventure it is, as the extremely talented cast of 15 Samoans, not only share their native Samoan culture and heritage but the excitement of some of the other islands of Polynesia. The interactive production uses a varying mixture of videos, demonstrations, audience participation activities, Polynesian dancing and music, authentic costuming, and the skills, energy and personalities of its cast to share their Polynesia, from Samoa to the Cook Islands, Tokelau, Fiji, and the Hawaii Islands, with their audience.
Each stop along the way is introduced through a short video which is seamlessly melded into the well choreographed production. Although the general rhythmic dancing and music of the south sea islands of Polynesia is present throughout the show, one cannot help but notice the subtle, well perhaps not so subtle, differences in the dancing and music from one island to the other. What a transition it is from the “hip style” dancing of the Cook Islands to the gentle lilting style of the Hawaiian Hula.
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| David Lomond singing the Hawaiian Wedding Song. |
Another great thing about Island Fire is the way other educational and exciting features are integrated into the show at key spots. They add variety, excitement, surprise, and audience involvement. Where else can one go to learn how to make Samoan fruit salad and, perhaps more importantly, have as much fun learning how? Just how does one get milk from a coconut? They actually climb a palm tree during the show and do what? What is “Samoan Rubber?”
If the dancing and music of Polynesia is the thread that links the various elements of Island Fire together, it is most certainly the fire knife, “Ailao afi,” dancers who add the fiery excitement to the “island.” The performance of 2004 World Champion Fire Knife Dancer, Anelu Iakopo and the very experienced Iefata Saoleititi, is simply amazing and must be seen to be believed. As beautiful and dramatic as the performance is, it becomes even more remarkable when it is realized that one end of the fiery “baton” is really a sharp knife! The other fire dancers working with Anelu and Iefata in some routines are Antonio Galu and Eliu Iakopo.
The number “Wash That Man Right Outta of My Hair” from South Pacific, sung by Evette Dutton and the Island Fire Girls, and the “black light” number all add to the excitement and variety of the show. Indeed, the florescent black light dance is one of the most unique Polynesian dance presentations one will ever see!
The remarkable voice of Branson performer and native Hawaiian, David Lomond, singing, among other songs, the “Hawaiian Wedding Song” adds yet another dimension to the show. David’s rendition of “America the Beautiful” as part of Bella Dutton’s honoring of the military and veterans is yet another wonderful memory.
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| The dances and costuming of Tokelau. |
Over the Ole Seagull’s life, he has been to the Hawaiian Islands a number of times and has seen different Polynesian shows, including the one at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu. He can not recall enjoying any Polynesian show that he has ever seen more than he did Island Fire. Add in the different elements unique to the Branson production and the result is one the most unique, educational, and fun filled Polynesian shows available anywhere.
One thing that touched an Ole Seagull’s heart was the way the cast came down into the audience and thanked them for attending the show as they were leaving. They didn’t stand in front and wait for the audience to come to them, they, instead went to the audience. It is that “little bit of extra” caring, effort, and enthusiasm, illustrated by that act, that seems to permeate each element of the show and, at the end of the day, helps makes Island Fire a special, exciting memorable experience for their audiences.
In keeping with that extra effort and to acknowledge their dedication, effort, and skills, most often performed during the show as part of a group, it seems appropriate to list the names of the native Samoans in the cast. The female members are Amataga Aloi, Luisa Tagomoa, Christina Lealiiee, Sharon Brown, Lorraine Sakaio, and Fa’ata O’Brien. The names of the male cast members not already mentioned are Periki Noaese, Hardy Fetu, Suasami Faagalu, and Ameto Galu.
Photos by Basil Groman, click here for more photos of Island Fire
