Dayton Live

Discovery: Joseph Kekuku And The Voice Of The Steel Guitar

Feb 26, 2027

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1 Hour

No Intermission

Victoria Theatre

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Description

This show is part of our Discovery Series, which presents weekday field trips for area schools to experience carefully selected shows designed to enhance curriculum connections throughout various subject areas. If you are not purchasing tickets for a school or homeschool, please click here to explore our Children’s Theatre programming.

It’s the late 1800s. It’s a time of invention – trains, steamboats, cameras, even electricity is new at the King’s palace in Honolulu. An 11-year-old Native Hawaiian boy accidentally strikes the strings of his guitar with a bolt from a railroad track and unlocks a brand-new sound. Hawaiian music – and the music of America – is never the same. Based on a true story, this new play traces the incredible invention of the steel guitar from the taro fields to vaudeville halls to blues, country, rock and roll music, and beyond. With a thrilling live slide guitar soundtrack and projections, this production celebrates innovation, engineering, and the global exchange of ideas and sound. It tells the real-life story of Joseph Kekuku as well as the story of the annexation of Hawaii and the movement of young people from the island to the continent and sometimes, back home again. Rich in history, the play also looks forward, and encourages children of today to celebrate their voice, culture, and sense of curiosity.

Produced by Honolulu Theatre for Youth.

RESOURCE GUIDE

Resource Guide Coming Soon

CORE SUBJECT AREAS

Fine Arts
History
Science
Social Studies

Age Recommendation

Grades 2nd-12th!

Accessibility

We recognize that the heart of an arts organization will always be the people we bring together and experiences we share.

The 11:30 a.m. performance will be sign interpreted and/or audio described upon request. Indicate your need for interpreted and/or audio description on your Ticket Request form, or by emailing discovery@daytonlive.org no later than THREE weeks before the performance. Understand that while we will make every effort to make reasonable accommodations, certain requests may not be able to be honored.

For detailed accessibility information, including seating, audio, and sign interpretation please visit our Discovery Performance Policies and Accessibility pages.