Experience an intimate 19th-century-style performance based on the historical interactions between Hawaii’s monarch, King Kalakaua, and eastern European Jewish emigrant, Elias Abraham Rosenberg. Kalakaua and Rosenberg bonded over their different cultures during the tumultuous years of 1886 and 1887. Rosenberg is not a well-known figure in Hawaii’s history, but in 1887 he served as Kalakaua’s official soothsayer. The performance explores the connection between history, genealogy, and folklore; highlighting issues of colonialism, racism, antisemitism, and cultural identity.

Artist Michael Schuster draws audiences in using a unique handcrafted storytelling cabinet to dramatize the late 19th-century worlds of Kalakaua and Rosenberg. The cabinet contains photographs of images originally taken during Kalakaua’s reign, contemporary photographs and documents that recreate historic events, and Jewish ritual objects. Audiences experience the unlikely encounter between Hawaiian and Jewish culture through images, storytelling, puppetry, and acting. The story is enriched with references to the biblical story of Joseph – the Egyptian Pharaoh’s soothsayer. Hawaii Symphony Orchestra violinist Rachel Saul provides live music accompaniment, featuring Hawaiian song from the period layered with Hebraic chant and Yiddish klezmer.

Mahalo to our sponsor, the Sidney Stern Memorial Trust, for funding this program.