Kumu Kahua Theatre is kicking off its female-forward 55th season of plays with the world premiere of Smother. Written by Sara Ward, the comedy follows a devoted but meddlesome mother who goes to extreme lengths to control her daughter’s love life. Smother is set to take the stage from August 28 – September 28, 2025 with tickets on sale now at www.kumukahua.org. A special BOGO ticket offer will be available for the September 12 showing of Smother, aligning with the launch of Kumu Kahua’s new Ladies Night!

Celebrating women and the people who love them, Ladies Night offers a fun way for the community to connect ahead of the show at nearby Black Shamrock in downtown Honolulu. Event attendance is open to the public, with specialty drinks created just for the occasion​. Ladies Night attendees are ​also able to take advantage of a buy one, get one ticket offer for that same evening’s performance ​of Smother by simply referencing “LADIES” at the box office or in an online check-out code. Join other theatre enthusiasts at 5:30 p.m. for socializing, and then head across to the historic Merchant Street theatre before show time.

Ward, a longtime office manager at Kumu Kahua and skilled props designer on numerous productions, brings personal inspiration and a dose of comic relief to her first produced play. Smother’s mother character, Marcia, is determined to steer her sweet but independent daughter Julia away from bad relationships and into the arms of the “perfect” partner. While Julia struggles to establish boundaries, Marcia hatches a series of increasingly outrageous schemes to “fix” Julia’s love life. As tensions rise and familial bonds fracture, Marcia must confront her own fears or risk losing her daughter entirely in this hilarious comedy.

Directed by Harry Wong, III, Smother showcases Shannon Winpenny in the role of Marcia and Kirstyn Trombetta as Julia, together with the talents of Kenia Chacon, Andrew Chow, Daron Gaskin, Alysia-Leila Kepa‘a, Kirk Alexander Lapilio, Kris10 Misaki and Jackie Young. Evening performances will be offered at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with matinees on Sundays at 2p.m. General admission tickets are $28 online and at the box office.

Contact (808) 536-4441 or visit www.kumukahua.org for further information, class registration or tickets.