Patty Duke and Joe Moore Star in "Heaven Forbid!" to Support Hawaii Theatre

HONOLULU - May 30, 2013 - PRLog -- The Hawaii Theatre today announced that Emmy and Academy Award winning actress Patty Duke and Hawaii’s Joe Moore will top a stellar cast in Michael Aitkens’ wonderfully funny comedy, Heaven Forbid!, from June 20 to 30 in Honolulu for 11 performances only. Tickets are on sale now at www.hawaiitheatre.com.
Michael Aitkens’ Heaven Forbid! is about two rebellious seniors in a New Jersey retirement home who refuse to grow old gracefully.  It is a smart adult comedy that holds a mirror up to the dilemmas of aging and remaining independent in the face of those who wish the old would just fade away. Aitkens adapted Heaven Forbid! from his award winning BBC series, Waiting for God.

Heaven Forbid! introduces us to Elizabeth Fredricks (Patty Duke); a cynical, former photo-journalist with a razor sharp wit who loves causing trouble at the Ocean View Retirement Home. Barney Winston (Joe Moore) is a happy-go-lucky Ocean View retiree who occasionally drifts off into a fantasy world.  Their high jinx and Odd Couple-like friendship make for pure gold for theatre goers.   Rob Duvall will direct the Heaven Forbid! cast of characters which includes Richard Bodkins (Paul Mitri), the greedy, vain manager of the retirement home; Maggie (Stephanie Conching), Richard’s slightly daffy, but kind hearted assistant; Wendell Winston (Rob Duval), Barney’s henpecked son who exiled Barney to the home at the insistence of Alice (Tricia Marciel), Wendell’s domineering, booze loving wife; Police Officer Stephens (George O’Hanlon); and Sara, a staff member at Ocean View and, Ms. Wingate, a field officer of the U.S. Treasury Program (both roles played by Eden Lee Jellinek).

Patty Duke won the Academy Award for her portrayal of Helen Keller inThe Miracle Worker.  She has won three Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards for outstanding performances in television and film.  A starring role in Valley of the Dolls was one of her biggest film hits.  Among her recent stage roles, Duke played Madame Morrible in the San Francisco production of Wicked and Aunt Eller in a Broadway revival of Oklahoma.  She is remembered by many as the duel-role star of the TV sitcom The Patty Duke Show and for starring roles in numerous television movies including Call Me Anna, Miracle on the Mountain, The Search for Sarah, A Matter of Justice, Family of Strangers, and A Time for Triumph.  When not acting, Patty Duke advocates for mental health issues.

Joe Moore; a popular news anchorman at KHON TV and a veteran stage, film and television actor; won high praise from the New York Times in 2012 for his portrayal of Oscar in The Odd Couple at the Connecticut Repertory Theatre, opposite friend and Hawaii Theatre supporter, Pat Sajak. Joe has teamed with celebrities including Pat Sajak, Richard Dreyfuss, George Segal, James MacArthur and Gary Burghoff in past stage productions at Hawaii Theatre; all of which benefited the local theatrical community.

Ticket Information:
Evening performances run June 20-23 and June 26-29 at 7:00 PM, with matinee performances June 22-23 and June 29-30 at 2:00 PM. All seating will be on the orchestra level (downstairs). Ticket prices are $32 or $37, depending on the performance requested. A limited $72 VIP package is available for all performances which includes VIP seating, an autographed program, and a post-performance backstage meet/greet/photo op with Ms. Duke and Mr. Moore.

Ticket and event information is available from the Hawaii Theatre box office located Downtown at 1130 Bethel Street (between Hotel and Pauahi Streets) during regular box office hours; Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Discounts for Hawaii Theatre Members, groups of 10 or more, youth (18 and under), seniors (62 and older), and students and military (with valid ID). Some restrictions may apply. Concierge offers available.

To Charge by Phone during regular box office hours, call (808) 528-0506. Major US credit cards, JCB and UnionPay cards accepted. Tickets and information also available 24/7 at www.hawaiitheatre.com. Please note that online purchases require additional payment of convenience fees.

Sponsored, in part, by Hawaiian Springs Natural Water, Aston at the Executive Center, City & County of Honolulu, and the Mayor's Office on Culture & Arts.