Panji and the Lost Princess

Panji and the Lost Princess
Co-Directed by Kirstin Pauka and I Madé Moja

Adapted from a traditional Balinese folktale by Ketut Wirtawan and Madé Moja
Balinese Wayang Listrik (giant shadow puppets in combination with live action and gamelan orchestra)
April 17-26, 2026
*Pre-Show Chats at 6:45pm before Saturday performances

Panji and the Lost Princess is a large-scale Balinese shadow puppetry performance in the tradition of wayang listrik. The story is based on the Balinese interpretation of a traditional Javanese story, and adapted to the genre of wayang listrik by Balinese master artists I Ketut Wirtawan and I Madé Moja. The show is dynamically staged with giant shadow puppetry, actors, dancers, special lighting effects, and is accompanied by a live gamelan ensemble, led by master musician I Madé Widana. The style of the production, wayang listrik (Indonesian for “electric shadows”), is a recent development in Balinese shadow puppetry that emerged in the late 1990s. What distinguishes this art form from others is the inclusion of giant screens, paintings, complex lighting, 3-dimensional effects, and dancers, as well as actors behind the screen, wearing shadow masks carved in a similar manner as traditional kulit (“leather”) puppets. Moja has staged two previous wayang listrik productions at Kennedy Theatre: Subali-Sugriwa – Battle of the Monkey Kings and The Last King of Bali. We are thrilled that he will return this season to serve as the master designer and co-director of this production.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY at 7:30 p.m.
SUNDAY at 2:00 p.m.

Throwback Saturday ticket prices only vaild on the Saturday 4/18/26 performance. 

For more info and link to purchase tickets visit: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/liveonstage/panji/

April 24, 2026 - April 26, 2026
7:30pm - 4:00pm
John F. Kennedy Theatre
1770 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Contact Name: Christine Lamborn Fernandez
Contact Email:
Contact Phone: 8089567655
Contact Organization: Kennedy Theatre / UHM Dept. of Theatre & Dance