East West Players' presentation of "I Land" by Keo Woolford

This past weekend, I saw East West Player's presentation of I Land written and performed as a one-man play by Keo Woolford. It's directed by Roberta Uno with hula choreography by Robert Cazimero and hip-hop choreography by Rokafella. The piece was co-commissioned by Ma-Yi Theater Company and Asia Society in New York.

I Land is a fascinating exploration based on Keo Woolford's life and his journey from insecure pre-teen to rebellious adolescent to lost young adult to mature adult. Amazingly, in the 1-1/2 hours of the performance, Keo is on the stage almost the entire time and in fact dances through a good portion of it - both hip-hop and hula. He has led a diverse life, but through his destructive and searching phases, and then finally finding himself, dancing has played a part. In the end, it is through hula that he finds his place, his identity.

Keo's performance inserts comedy as he pokes fun at his past, but at times is also raw with emotion as he struggles to find meaning in his life. The dancing though is what really makes this a treat. He's skilled as a hip-hop dancer, but it's the hula that is really captivating. We get glimpses of it throughout the show, but the end is where you really get to see it showcased.

[summarized from the program] Born and raised in Hawaii, Keo has been dancing hula since high school. He became a member of Robert Cazimero's Halau Na Kamalei in 1999 and has performed with the group around the U.S. and Japan. He danced with the group at the 2005 Merrie Monarch Hula Festival where the were awarded first prize in the kahiko, auana, overall male, and overall festival categories. He was a member of Brownskin (Hawaii's equivalent to 'NSync). He's an actor, songwriter, and vocalist.

Here's East West Players' website if you want more info on the play or for ticketing info: I Land. It closes April 8.