Chaminade’s Fall Play, ‘Things Go Wrong,’ Opens Thursday Night

After about two years of silence, Chaminade is opening the curtain for the student-driven production titled “Things Go Wrong” with Garrett Hill, a second-year Communications major with a minor in Performing Arts, as the playwright. Alongside him is Christopher Patrinos, the production director and a Performing Arts professor at Chaminade University. 

“Things Go Wrong” follows two families, the Agosti and King families, visiting Hawaii hoping for a smooth, sunny family vacation, but as soon as they touch down, things, obviously, go wrong. Hill based both families in his story on his family, consisting of one mother, father, daughter, and son. Although written by Hill, the production was a collaborative effort between Patrinos and Hill’s peers in the Fund of Theatre and Performance course (PAR 210).

Hill came up with this idea while living in the residential hall, Hale Lokelani, at Chaminade University. Hill lived on the makai (ocean) side of Hale Lokelani, which overlooks downtown Honolulu. In December 2021, he was looking out, and it was pouring. Hill thought about all the tourists who wanted bright blue skies but received stormy weather. 

“It’s so insane that just a year ago, none of this was real,” Hill said of his play. “Seeing this process and having things materialize, come to life and see things in my head is so mindboggling to me.” 

The following month, January 2022, Hill began writing. His drafts went through workshops such as table reads during his advanced courses in performing arts, and by the end of April 2022, Hill finished his first play. Patrinos mentioned that some scenes were deleted or combined to help with the pace of the production.

“It comes down to staying true to what the story is, the arc, theme, and making sure all the bones are still there,” Patrinos said. “You never want to remove the bones.” 

The production will take place in the Loo Theatre with no reserved seating. Playgoers have to reserve a ticket for admission, which is free, but they are encouraged to donate. The play will have a total of four performances, one per day, from Thursday to Sunday. The showings are from Thursday to Saturday and will begin at 7 p.m., with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The Sunday show will begin at 4 p.m., with the doors opening at 3:30 p.m.

The excitement for the upcoming fall production is shown through the production’s ticket sales, which are now sold out. Patrinos has added a second performance for Sunday at 7:00 p.m. You can reserve tickets here. The link to reserve tickets was sent out about a week ago and sold out a couple of days later. Based on the configuration of the Loo Theatre, the maximum amount of seats in the room is 35. 

This fall production includes 11 actors, three stage-crew members, and technical director/designer Claire Paul, a Performing Arts professor at Chaminade University. The other 14 participants are all current or past Chaminade students. Patrinos mentioned that the most difficult part about directing is finding students who can fully commit to their roles.

“I am very blessed that the cast members are very mature about what they are doing,” Patrinos said. “[They] have an uncanny knack for humility and a sense of comedy, and I love that because it makes the room fun.” 

Patrinos has more than just the director role; he is also James King, the father of the King family. Hill is also an actor in his play. Hill plays Boomer, a surfer by day and guitarist by night. 

Angelo Osay is a 2021 Chaminade graduate, and he personally asked to be part of this production. As a new full-time surgical intensive care unit nurse, Osay worried about when he would be on stage again. Osay acted in three productions on campus until the pandemic hit. 

“It’s been a space for me to detach myself and give myself a break,” Osay said. “This [acting] has been a mental break for me.” 

Caleb Cloud, a second-year Forensic Science major, will play Bruce Agosti, the father of the Agosti family, and has participated in about nine productions. As fall production comes closer, Cloud knows he’s ready and is excited.

“With everyone, it’s get it done or get it done,” Cloud said. “There’s no in-between, and I enjoy the work ethic.”