A new play tracing the invention of the Hawaiian steel guitar is coming to Helena, built around a moment in the late 1800s when an eleven-year-old Native Hawaiian boy struck guitar strings with a railroad bolt and stumbled into a sound that would reshape American music.
The production, which draws on a true story, follows the boy's discovery through the broader sweep of Hawaiian music's influence on the mainland — a thread that runs through country, blues, and early rock and roll in ways most listeners never think about. The show is part of Actors' Theatre of Helena's current season lineup.
Performance details including specific dates, times, and ticket pricing were not fully available from the event listing, but the show is being presented at Actors' Theatre's venue. Residents interested in attending should contact the theater directly for scheduling and reservation information.