Killa Vanilla is a romantic, character-driven show featuring exotic
Polynesian rhythms, rock surf beats and a pop musical theater score.
Colorful islanders, Gen-X surfers, conniving resort developers, a grand
love story, dancing, ritual and theatrical pageantry abound.
Set on Vanilla, a fictional Pacific island, Killa Vanilla is the story
of island chief Moana with a mysterious phobia of the water. Unable to
cross the ocean, Moana lures civilization to his island through the
Killa Vanilla surf meet. Enter international surf champion Marina
Breen – a gorgeous, talented x-treme sport star, at the top of her
game and constantly on the move. When Moana and Marina meet, there are
sparks…of loathing.
Darryl Baker is Marina's manager, a former surf pro living in Marina's
shadow, looking for a game of his own. Darryl schemes with Marina's
sponsors to build a resort on the island. Moana is seduced by the idea
of the development and soon has signed away his island and forsaken his
culture. As Moana and Marina's attraction for each other becomes
undeniable, they find themselves on opposite sides of a struggle for
the future of Vanilla Island.
Iondara, Moana's tomboy cousin is a colorful drunken beach bum. She
sobers up and becomes a vocal activist against the development. But
Moana won't listen to anyone (not high-priest Ari'i nor family
matriarch Tutu) until it is nearly too late. Will Moana find a way out
of the terrible commitments he's made to the resort developers? Will he
overcome his fear of the water? Will Marina grow some roots and find a
home on Vanilla Island with Moana?
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Watercolor of idyllic Vanilla Island as depicted
by Cornell ethnobotanist, Colin Troscott.
Killa Vanilla Surf Meet poster courtesy of
Marina Breen Productions. |