LAPA Brings Flight of the Mothman to the Stage in June
Lāna‘i Academy of Performing Arts (LAPA) is set to debut its latest original production, Flight of the Mothman, on June 4 and 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the Pedro de la Cruz Gym. Admission is a suggested donation of $5 or $10 at the door.
Created by Heighten Theatricals LLC, the show features books and lyrics by Jason Spraggins and music by Matt Glickstein. Flight of the Mothman takes inspiration from 1980s adventure films like The Goonies and classic mystery series like Scooby-Doo. The musical follows a group of young campers who stumble upon a mystery at their summer camp, encountering the legend of the Mothman. The show blends humor, suspense, and a heavy dose of ‘80s nostalgia, featuring an upbeat, synth-driven soundtrack.
“I never heard of Mothman before this,” Matt said. “But Jason was brainstorming and thought a cryptid mystery would be a fun way to involve more kids. We wanted a story that felt like a classic ‘80s adventure.”
Mothman is a creature from American folklore, first reported in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in the 1960s. Described as a large, winged figure with glowing red eyes, sightings of Mothman were linked to eerie events and local disasters, fueling theories of it being a harbinger of doom. Over time, the legend has grown, inspiring books, movies, and now a LAPA production.
Lighting and sound effects will play a key role in setting the atmosphere. “We want to keep the gym dark and use spotlights for lighting,” Matt said. “We’re also using some eerie sound effects.”
The show is structured as a frame story, beginning with a child listening to a podcast set in the 1980s. The narrative unfolds from there, with podcast hosts providing recorded narration. “It’s a similar setup to what we did last year with Jo and the Gigalytes, but with a more streamlined approach,” Matt said.
This is the first LAPA production with an entirely LAPA-grown directing team, with former students Adam Purdy (acting director) and Kami Shimokawa (choreography) leading the cast.
LAPA is aiming for a faster-paced, dance-heavy production, with a run time of 60 to 70 minutes. “Last year’s show had a lot of plot threads, but this time we’re keeping it simple: summer camp, Mothman and a mystery to solve,” Matt said. “It should be fun and a little bit scary.”
Flight of the Mothman will also debut on Moloka‘i through Hōkūlani Children’s Theatre of Molokai (CTOM), with performances scheduled for April 25 and 26. LAPA and CTOM recently completed a performing arts camp on Moloka‘i from March 17–19, where the two organizations collaborated on the show and organized group activities, including team-building games and a volunteer visit to a fishpond. LAPA extends its thanks to all of the chaperones who made the trip possible.
For more information, follow LAPA’s updates on their website, www.lanaiacademy.org, or their Facebook and Instagram pages.