wayneharada.com

As Tom Selleck attempts to get a write-in movement to restore his cancelled CBS series, “Blue Bloods,” the network has announced instead a spinoff series dubbed “Boston Blue,” which will star Donnie Wahlberg.

“Boston Blue” has been given a straight-to-series order — in other words,  minus a pilot — and will feature Wahlberg’s Danny Reagan character from the original “Blue Bloods” show fighting crime in a new territory.

Wahlberg was an instrumental figure in “Blue Bloods,”  during its 14-season run, in which he partnered with Marisa Ramirez, who played Maria Baez.  It’s probably uncertain but unlikely that this new procedural will reach out and throw out the net to other players from the original hit show to portray Reagan family characters in the new universe.

Sellelck has not yet commented on the new CBS venture — without him…

Something wicked this way comes?

It’s been announced that “Wicked”  star Cynthia Erivo, who portrays the green-faced Elphaba in the hit film musical, will play Jesus in “Jesus Christ Superstar” this summer. Huh?

Erivo will headline a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Superstar,” at the Hollywood Bowl Aug. 1 to 3.

Certainly,  this is uncommon casting. Makes you wonder who’ll play Mary Magdalene. “Superstar” has not yet announced other participating cast members.

Erivo is a versatile performer and a previous Emmy, Grammy and Tony award winner; she has been nominated three times for an Oscar, and again is a Best Actress contender this year, for playing Elphaba in “Wicked.”

“Superstar” marks the return of Broadway musicals at the Hollywood Bowl since the Covid pandemic.

Erivo, who enjoys being busy, also will host this year’s Tony Awards, set for 8 p.m. ET on June 8, broadcasted on CBS from the Radio City Music Hall in New York…

Broadway grosses, for the week ending Feb. 16

“Wicked” remains invincible, in the tally of Broadway grosses. It’s still grossing more than $2 million weekly, leading the pack of contenders,. In a switcheroo, “Hamilton” moved up to No. 2, sending “The Lion King” to No. 3.

Somewhat surprisingly, “Romeo + Juliet” came out of nowhere to wind up  at No. 6, sending “Gypsy”to an elevator ride down to No. 7. “The Outsiders” is an insider in an upward move at No. 4, but “Hell’s Kitchen” is off the Top 10, certainly a hellish fate.

The Top 10:

1—”Wicked,” $2.626 million.

2—”Hamilton,” $1.921 million.

3—”The Lion King,” $1.892 million.

4—”The Outsiders,” $1.526 million

5—’All In: Comedy About Love,”

6–“Romeo + Juliet,” $1.477 million.

7—”Gypsy,” $1,476 million.

8—”MJ The Musical,” $1.351 million.

9—”The Great Gatsby,” $1.324 million.

10—”Death Becomes Her,” $1.304 million.

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…

 

Brother Noland will make his Blue Note Hawaii debut in a two-night four-show booking March 6 and 7. And whoa, it looms like a biggie of a gig.

Showtimes will be at 6:30 and 9 p.m. both days, with doors opening at 5 and 8:30 p.m. for beverage and food service.

Noland, a prolific singer, composer and guitarist, is known for his local hits, “Pua Lane,” “Coconut Girl” and “Big Ship.” However, to date, his live performances — in clubs or at larger performance venues — have been rare.

For this engagement, he will be supported by The Island Incredibles, a band comprising a stellar corps of musicians, and the operative word is “incredible.” The Incredibles roster includes Gaylord Holomalia, keyboards; David Garibaldi, drums; Kata Maduli, bass; Michael Ruff, keyboards; Olivia Ruff, vocals; Tavana, guitars; Fred Schreuders, guitars; and Lila Chris, vocals.

The musicianship crosses multiple genres and generations, and consequently, the concert will be multi-dimensional with global implications. This Hawaii-based supergroup boasts individual and ensemble power, and the partnership will evolve into a hybrid of creative mastery, “alter-native” rhythms, funky grooves, and – yes! – vocal fireworks.

You’d think that a gathering of this magnitude should also include a recording session to capitalize on the bounty of charismatic chemistry.

Tickets: $35 and $45, available at www.bluenotehawaii.com and (808) 777-4890. …

‘Dolly,’ ‘Alice’ at Hawaii Theatre

Hawaii Theatre will feature two student productions in the weeks ahead:

• “Hello, Dolly!” plays Feb. 28 to March 2, produced by Iolani School Performing Arts. Curtain times: 7 p.m. Feb 28 and March 1, 3 p.m. March 2. Tickets: $15 to $25, at (808) 528-0506.
• “Alice in Wonderland” runs March 12 to 15, produced by the Pacific Academy of Performing Arts. Curtain times for student shows: 9:30 a.m. March 12, 13 and 14; for public shows, 6 p.m. March 14 and 15, 1 p.m. March 15 and 16. Tickets: $5 for keiki for student shows, $19 for public shows, at (808) 528-0506.

FYI, there are restoration fees of $4.50 or $5  for all Hawaii Theatre ticketing; folks not acclimated to this policy might be alarmed for this charge, added to each ticket purchase

Show breezes

Shari Lynn Acebedo returns to Medici’s, the supper club at Manoa Marketplace, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 15), to share her trademark cabaret show.  Doors open at 6 p.m. for the dinner service preceding her performance.

Shari unites with her longtime musicians – pianist Jim Howard and bassist John Kolivas – to share her incomparable slate of jazz and Great American Songbook treasures, along with her savvy sampling of Broadway music.

Haven’t seen her for a spell now, but her serenades always include romantic favorites flavored with her fetching storytelling skills. Her legendary musicians – Howard’s sweet keyboard work and Koliva’s expected jazz rhythms — provide the warm blanket for the night.

Cost: $69, includes dinner and show. Reservations: (808) 351-0901…

Gail Mack has assembled her musician buddies again for another gig from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 16) at Mango Street Grill, 139 Mango St., in Wahiawa.

Joining her in concert: Lance Luke, Keith Hiraoka and Bobby Nishida.

For reservations, call Daryl at (808) 627-5451…

And that’s Show Biz…

“Manoa Marquee,” the Manoa Valley Theatre’s annual fundraising gala, will be held April 12 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s Monarch Room.

A cocktail reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and entertainment beginning at 7 p.m.

The event  will salute Highgate, the hotel brand, and its Kelly Sanders, who is president of the company’s Hawaii Group, for their support and impact on the arts and their dedication to building stronger communities in Hawaii.

John Valentine, veteran club singer-guitarist who has emerged as mainstage attraction, will be headline the evening’s entertainment.

The Royal Hawaiian Band will provide pre-show music on the hotel’s beachfront Ocean Lawn, with its unparalleled panoramic views of Waikiki and Diamond Head.

Tickets are $10,000, for a table of eight in orchestra, $5,000 for loge seating, and $3,500 for gallery location. Single seats are $450.

Reservations: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35307/production/1225337?performanceId=11573233

Valentine also headlines a MVT Valentine’s Day show tomorrow (Feb. 14). “Be Mine”  will feature the versatile trouper, accompanied by the Valentine String Quartet, with featured vocalist Jessica Sands Hoffman. Jessica’s famous father is the “teenage idol” of the past, Tommy Sands.

Tickets are $35 to $51, with a pre-show meet-and-greet with Valentine at $76.

Reservations: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35307/pr/1224020/pe/11569809

Information for both MVT events: (808) 988-6131…

Four-nighter at Blue Note for Tatofi

Josh Tatofi  opens a four-night, eight-show engagement this evening (Feb. 13) at Blue Note Hawaii at the Outrigger Reef Hotel.

Showtimes are at 6:30 and 9 p.m. today through Sunday (Feb. 16), with doors opening at 5 and 8:30 p.m. for beverage and food service.

Prime Valentine’s shows are sold out. Tickets for other performances are $65 and $55, available at www.bluenotehawaii.com of (808) 777-4890…

Broadway grosses, for the week ending Feb. 9

“Wicked,” a champion on Broadway and in movie theaters, continues to sit atop the weekly grosses list … as “Gypsy” inches up in the compilation.

The Top 10:

1—”Wicked,” $2.324 million.

2—”The Lion King,” $1.602 million.

3—”Gypsy,” $1.564 million.

4—”Hamilton,” $1.532 million.

5—”Sunset Blvd.,” $1.306 million.

 6—”Death Becomes Her,” $1.261 million.

 7—”The Outsiders,” $1.234 million.

8—”MJ The Musical,” $1.176 million.

 9—”All In: Comedy About Love,” $1.163 million.

10—”Hell’s Kitchen,” $1.077 million.

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…