Disney’s live-action Moana — directed by Thomas Kail, the Emmy and Tony Award winner known for Hamilton — screens at The Port Theatre in Cornwall on Sunday, September 27 at 1:30 p.m. Catherine Laga’aia takes the title role as the first Polynesian actor to play Moana in live action, with Dwayne Johnson returning as the demigod Maui. If you missed it in theaters this summer, the Port is giving it another run.
About the Show
This is an adaptation of the 2016 animated original — not the 2024 sequel, Moana 2. The story follows Moana, daughter of a Motunui chief, as she answers the ocean’s call and voyages beyond the reef of her island home to restore prosperity to her people, recruiting the reluctant, shape-shifting demigod Maui along the way. The film’s themes center on identity, community responsibility, and the tension between tradition and personal destiny.
Kail described his approach to the source material plainly: “The story is the story of 2016, for sure, because it certainly didn’t seem like it was broken to us.” The live-action version keeps it intact. Supporting cast includes Rena Owen as Gramma Tala, John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina, and Jemaine Clement voicing Tamatoa. Screenplay by Jared Bush.
The musical identity of the original carries into this version in full. “How Far I’ll Go,” “You’re Welcome,” “Shiny,” and “We Know the Way” all return in live-action format, joined by a new number, “Along the Way,” featuring Laga’aia, Johnson, and original animated voice actress Auli’i Cravalho. Miranda, who also produced the film alongside Johnson, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia, co-wrote the soundtrack with Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina; Mancina handled the score. The film is rated PG and runs 1 hour 55 minutes.
Venue & Logistics
The Port Theatre has been a Cornwall landmark since 1941 — a 450-seat venue at 132 Montreal Road that runs cinema and live-music events year-round, with a licensed bar on site. September 27 is one of the final Moana screenings at the Port this season; an earlier date ran September 20. The film opened theatrically July 10, 2026, making this a second-run matinee for audiences who want another chance to see it on a proper screen. Visitors from the north-country region can find tickets through the theatre’s website.
Tickets
Tickets are $5.00–$7.50. A children’s matinee rate of $3.50 is also available. Tickets are on sale now. Buy tickets