Kimo Kaona spurted pidgin and played multi-characters in "Rap's Hawaii" recently, so taking on a single role — that of a reluctant matador who yearns to be a dancer in "Ferdinand the Bull" — is somewhat of a waltz, right?

Sort of. The waltz is actually some fiery flamenco.

"It's such a big change," said Kaona, a Honolulu Theatre for Youth ensemble actor in his first season. "This is the first show where I'm consistently one character, and it's an nice change because of the dancing. OK, I'm an actor who moves well, not a dancer, but I'm learning flamenco."

And having fun.

The play, based on the popular children's book about a bull who prefers to smell the flowers instead of charging a matador, opens tonight at Tenney Theatre.

In "Rap's Hawaii," Kaona played characters ranging from Russell in "Room Service" to a floppy-eared dog. The matador in "Bull" is Duquito Danilo, an energetic boy who yearns to be a dancer, while his father wants him to be a bullfighter.

"So he struggles with what he wants to do, and with what his father wants him to do," Kaona said. It was an aha moment for him.

"When I first got the role, it kinda reflected my life," he said. "My dad is a taro farmer (in Hanalei, Kaua'i) ... and I wanted to be an actor (not a farmer). But he's been supportive."

Kala'i Stern, formerly of the award-winning 'Alea group and now director of choral activities and a teacher at Hawai'i Pacific University Downtown, is music coordinator and also plays the title character.

"I've been working with HTY for the past two years in different forms as an actor, music director and composer, and originally I was only to music-direct 'Ferdinand,' " Stern said. When Eric Johnson, HTY managing director, asked if he wanted a role, "it sounded like fun. I was there for rehearsals anyway," Stern said.

He added: "The character is a lot like me — and I see a lot of myself in the character. Like Ferdinand, I like to go off and smell the flowers; I'm happy and contented in that sense."

Stern said he and Kaona each have one solo tune. Pomai Lopez (playing Cochina) also has a solo, and there are ensemble tunes. Andrew Doan is Duque Dodo.

The show came with prepared music on CD (there is no live orchestra), and melodies are heard throughout the production.

Kaona's community-theater stints include Diamond Head Theatre's "You Somebody," Paliku Theatre's "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," Army Community Theatre's "Grease," and the Kamehameha Schools' "The Wiz" and "South Pacific." "Ferdinand" brings him back to his groove.

"This is a lot more my style, when I can sing and dance," he said. "The flamenco dancing has been a challenge. It's a lot of technique, and attitude, attitude, attitude — and focus. After rehearsals, my feet were sore from the stomping."

"Ferdinand" is the last play of HTY's season, and Kaona is contemplating re-auditioning to join the acting crew for another year.

"It's been a great experience, for sure," he said. "From doing a suitcase tour ('Rap's Hawaii' visited all Islands), it's nice here that we don't have to carry the props and costumes and the doggie ears. There is a humongous set — a bull ring on the stage — which is something to see."