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‘Mormon,”Mamma’ Hawaii-bound

“The Book of Mormon” and “Mamma Mia,” two hot attractions on the Broadway roster of hits, will be the attractions of the next “Broadway in Hawaii” season, beginning this winter and continuing next summer at Blaisdell Concert Hall.

Only two shows – instead of the customary three – will be on the agenda

The details:

  • “The Book of Mormon,” the musical comedy still running in its 15th year at the Eugene O’Neil Theatre on Broadway, will be in residency Nov. 25 to Dec. 6. It is returning to Blaisdell by popular demand, after more than a decade-long absence; it had a sold-out three week run here back in 2016.
  • “Mamma Mia,” the riotous  romantic comedy featuring a cache of ABBA musical classics that had lines around the Winter Garden Theatre in New York for nearly a decade, will be the attraction from July 6 to 18 2027.

Both shows are notable touring favorites nationally and internationally, their popularity fueled by diehard fans who commonly are hardcore repeaters in terms of securing tickets.

“We are thrilled to follow up the success of our sold-out engagement of ‘Chicago’ last December with a 2026-2027 season featuring two of the most popular musicals in Broadway history,” said Kristy Maple, president of Magic Space Entertainment and Broadway in Hawaii. Thanks to the support of Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the Blaisdell team, Broadway is back at Blaisdell Concert Hall.”

Season tickets – including both “Mormon” and “Mamma” —  range from $137 to $427 and are on sale, starting today (March 30)  at www.broadwayinhawaii.com.. Patrons have the option of using a six-payment plan which works out to less than $25 per payment.

But why only a two-show season, when three has been the tradition? Apparently, there has been a shortage of open playdates at Blaisdell. However, officials familiar with the dilemma are hoping the city might clear a spot for a third production, but availability of a suitable show addition to the lineup could be another challenge, since the touring agenda has limitation. A show, a cast, a venue at possibly some dates, though considerations involving housing for the cast plus transportation are prevailing pieces of the puzzle.

“The Book of Mormon” is no ordinary musical. It is strictly for adult and mature audiences, because of its unabashedly explicit and foul language. The satirical story is about Elders Price and Cunningham, two Mormon missionaries sent to a remote village in Uganda to convert the locals. An oppressive warlord, injustice and poverty have made the villagers lose faith in God, but the elders are keen on success, even if it means bending the teachings of the holy book. And Uganda certainly  is not the destination of Orlando, Florida, where Elder Price was anticipating.

A scene from “The Book of Mormon,” the first of two shows due here

“Mormon” won an astonishing nine Tony Awards in 2011, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score and Best Director. And no doubt, it is not for everyone but is utterly hilarious

“Mamma Mia” also is an extraordinary entity, set on a Greek island paradise, where the sun always shine. It was nominated for five Tony Awards, but failed to win a trophy. However, it ran for nine years at the Winter Garden Theatre, and made a comeback residency a few years ago, in the same venue. An audience of more than 2 billion globally has seen the show, and “Mamma Mia” also has been a cinematic hit with an sequel, too.

A scene from “Momma Mia,” arriving in 2027l

 The tale – blessed with the chart hits by ABBA which progress the story — is all about love and family,  involving a mom on vacation with her daughter, who assembles three suitors in a quest to help solve a mystery that one of the gents might be the dad she’s never known. The show may not have artistic creds, but it’s unabashedly a commercial hit…

And that’s Show Biz…

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MVT’S 2026-27 SLATE GLOWS

 by Wayne Harada

MVT’S 2026-27 SLATE GLOWS

Manoa Valley Theatre has assembled a stellar, glowing quilt work of music, drama and comedy for its 2026-27 beginning this fall. Its six-show season reflects the pinnacle of storytelling, from the ridiculous to the sublime.

“This season is a celebration of storytelling at its most impactful—from bold contemporary works to crowd-pleasing favorites and deeply rooted local voices,” said Kathleen Young, executive director of MVT. “We’re especially excited about the range of experiences this lineup offers—there is truly something for everyone, and each production reflects the creativity, heart, and diversity of our community.”

The season includes:

  • “Jagged Little Pill: The Musical,” from Sept. to 27 – Singer Alanis Morissette is the lyricist and co-composer with Glen Ballard of this show, with book by Diablo Cody. Its source is Morissette’s groundbreaking album, which delves into the complexities of modern family life;  beneath the surface of a seemingly perfect suburban family thrives  a story of identity, addiction, trauma and resilience fueled by her emotionally charged production comprising raw and unforgettable theatrical experiences.
  • “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,” from Nov. 12 to 29 – This comedy, with non-stop laughs, is  by  the team of Jonathan Sayer, Henry Lewis, and Henry Shields, who were the creators of “The Play That Goes Wrong,”about the accident-prone Cornley Drama Society. This farce packs flying mishaps, technical disasters, and backstage chaos, and is loaded with physical comedy.
  • “Purpose,” Jan. 21 to Feb. 7, 2027 – This drama, by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, earned the 2025 Pulitzer Price for Drama. It is a gripping and intimate portrait of a prominent family confronting long-buried truths. When a son returns home with an unexpected guest, tensions rise and secrets unravel, forcing reckoning with legacy, identity and belief.
  • “The Producers: A Mel Brooks Musical, March 18 to April 4, 2027 – This Tony-winning musical comedy features a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with music and lyrics by Brooks. The plot features a scheming Broadway producer and his timid accountant, attempting to stage the biggest flop in history, only to create a runaway hit with non-stop laughs,
  • “Folks You Meet in Longs,” May 13 to 30 2027 – This is a beloved comedic classic by Lee Cataluna, set in Hawaii’s most popular gathering place, Longs, where lives intersect in unexpected ways.
     And since the Longs Drugs Manoa branch is in close proximity to the MVT stage,  the neighborly thing to do was to set the show in the Manoa Longs, making it a uniquely local and deeply relatable experience.
  • “Shakespeare in Love,” July 15 – August 1, 2027 – Staged in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Shakespeare Festival, this play is
    based on the screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, and adapted by Lee Hall.
    In this retelling, young William Shakespeare struggles with writer’s block—until he meets Viola, his muse and greatest inspiration. This romantic and witty play blends comedy, drama, and backstage intrigue, providing a charming glimpse into the creative spark behind one of the world’s greatest love stories.

 “Once Upon One Kapakahi Time,” Lisa Matsumoto’s  pidgin musical comedy, will be staged June 24 to July 11 as a summertime “extra,” not part of the six-play season, at the Kaimuki High School’s Performing Arts Center. Music and lyrics by Roslyn Catracchia, with additional lyrics by Matsumoto. “Kapakahi” (“mixed up” in pidgin lingo) features tunes from the collaborators’ “Once Upon One Time” trilogy, and contains the humor heart and localism adored island fans.

Dates to remember

  • Season subscribers must renew by April 16, to retain their seats.
  • New subscriptions begin April 6.
  • Single ticket sales start July 1.

For details, visit manoavalleytheatre.com/new-2026-2027-season …

And that’s Show Biz…

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BREAKFAST AT bEASTside …

There aren’t a lot of  breakfast sites in East Oahu, since the Kahala Zippy’s closed a month ago for a renovation project that hopefully will be completed in June later this year.

The likes of McDonald’s or Jack in the Box won’t do, when you want to gather  with friends and/or colleagues to discuss business or simply catch up with idle talk.

Scratch in Hawaii Kai near Roy’s might have been an ideal destination, with ample space to park and chit-chat.  However, few liked the restaurant’s menu, and worse, the mid-morning start was a major negative. And Koa Pancake House has a conventional menu, but it’s more of a take-out joint than a sit-down-and-chat-and-dine place.

Yes,  Jack’s in Aina Haina, a decades-long favorite with a decent family menu (yes, and the grilled biscuit with honey butter is a trademark) has been a reliable and popular place, but it’s often filled to the max especially on weekends and some holidays.

bEASTside Kitchen at Niu Valley,

I even tried breakfast with a friend, then with a group of four, at Heavenly, which has a divine new menu, too, notably a pineapple pancake selection and kal bi with fried egg option. A little upscale, but divinity has a price.

But I finally discovered the “new” breakfast regime at bEASTside Kitchen, next to Gyotaku in the Niu Valley Shopping Center. This place opened a while back, tried breakfast and abandoned it, and it’s known for its comfort food and weeknight entertainment and parties. A renovation included a spanky new bar and a section with high tables and stools I imagine the concert crowd would adore. TV screens are tuned to local news, during early morning breakfast.

bEASTside’s $10 breakfast is a loss-leader…with Arabiki sausage!

At breakfast time – from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – there’s room to stretch and  explore a dandy menu for early risers and diners. I’ve been there twice in the past three weeks, once with a friend and the other instance with my wife. We liked the “quiet” of the place and the ample menu that matches Zippy’s any day. OK, no fried chicken or Zip-min or chili like the Z-brand, but bEASTside (the peculiar spelling with upper case letters is deliberate, because it is an East-side eatery).

The ample menu boasts that $10 (regular, $14) but options like avocado toast, bagel and kal-bi.

The morning secret is a loss-leader of sorts. The Island-Style Breakfast offers the customary two eggs, any style, and a choice of meat ranging from bacon, Spam, link sausage and Portuguese sausage, and a rarity – Arabiki sausage. You know, the one that pops when you bite it. The regular price is $14, but it’s been $10 the times I visited. That’s an $8 saving! 

And a huge cup of coffee is included,

And guess what, a  huge cup of coffee – don’t recall the cost – is included in the $10 meal. If you’re ono for a pork adobo hash patty, add $3 more.

Further,  if you sip coffee quickly, you get a fill-up. Twice, if you’re a huge cuppa-Joe fan.

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LUMINOUS OUTING FOR CAZIMERO, HALAU

Robert Cazimero’s “A Ko‘olau Au,” his two-show spectacle Sunday (March 22) at Paliku Theatre at the Windward Community College, was a luminous, ambitious endeavor saluting the Ko‘olaus and the Windward side.

On a rainy, wet day, this was a sunny diversion, jam-packed with Hawaiian artistry and mele.

Robert Cazimero, at the keyboard, in Paliku Theatre show.

Cazimero, kumu hula of hālau Nā Kamalei O Lililehua, assembled his dancing and singing gents performing hula kahiko and  ‘auana.  The afternoon resembled his pair of shows last October at the Leeward Community College Theatre, when Cazimero performed a matinee and evening concerts in a fund-raiser that celebrated the hula hālau’s victory in last year’s Merrie Monarch Festival.

Because I didn’t request a playlist of performance numbers at Paliku, this reflection won’t provide specific titles of oli or mele in the impressive and innovative program with a cache of superb guest artists.

The m.o. (modus operandi) seemed to be, if kumu asks, you come without hesitation. How else could he assemble such first-class guests with repertoire to share?

Kumu hula Vicky Holt Takamine

Then again, Cazimero’s degree of excellence is well known and his peers share that kind of allure, so they participate as honorable guests. Take the four guest kumu hula: Vicky Holt Takamine of  Hālau Pua Ali‘i (aka Pa‘i Foundation), Mapuna di Silva of Hālau Mohala ‘Ilima, Kuana Torres Kahele of Hālau Māluakiʻiwailehua (and allied with four other groups), and Michael Lanakila Casupang of Mid Pacific Institute’s student hālau Pupukahi I Ke Alo Na Pua.

Mid-Pacific Institute dancers, in modern hula moment.,

Casupang’s MPI dancers are unique, comprised of students in grades 9 through 12, and rendering a stunning style, combining kahiko with modern style often  with balletic moves.

Jerry Santos with papale.

The show’s most popular guest had to be Jerry Santos of Olomana, performing with his usual ally, Kamuela Kimokeo. And the most popular tune clearly had to be Santos’s “E Kuu Home O Kahalu‘u,” with its taunting, prolong slack key guitar intro. The twosome also shared another Olomana classic, “E Kuu Sweet Lei Po‘ina Ole” with finesse. Note to Uncle Jerry, who’s been donning a papale in shows:  Better to take off, bro, ‘cuz  cannot see your face ‘neath the shadow.

As a hana hou or sorts, veteran hula soloist  Kanoe Kaumeheiwa Miller – who performed in Cazimero’s October Leeward shows – returned for a quick dance. And this factoid will follow her through life: she is the only wahine who is officially one of the “boys” of Nā Kamalei, because of a long-time friendship with kumu. Besides, she’s great – she used to be the solo hula artist at the Halekulani Hotel, after all.

Na Kamalei gents, in hula ‘auana,.

And the Royal Hawaiian Dancers, hula soloists back in the day when the Brothers Cazimero made appearances at the hotel, so they’re part of the Cazimero history, and Sky Perkins Gora still hulas regularly with RC at his Chef Chai’s performances. And if you’re a Chai’s patron, you’d recognize Keola “Bully” Makaiau, too, in all the ensemble numbers. And if you’ve noticed, a few new, young lads are in the Nā Kamalei line-up  and the elder dancer participation are fewer and fewer in these rigorous outings.

Na Kamalei gents, in hula kahiko..

Nā Kamalei troupers continue to impress, with stunning group hula, and always clad in terrific costumes, from aloha shirts to malos. For a kahiko dance, the gents had unique all-black shirts and pants, with black (or very dark brown) kukui nut lei.  And some of the guys also performed on ipu, which they mastered while studying hula. Kudos for the fashion show, gents.

The house  band was Bob’s Boys, hand-picked musician allies of Cazimero, featuring his Kamehameha Schools best-buddy, Kaipo Hale, plus Richard and Keola. Sorry guys, I still don’t know your last names. But all provide solid support and it’s likely you’re gonna be Cazimero’s regular band.

The Wāhea Foundation sponsored these shows, as they did for the Leeward outings…

And that’s Show Biz…

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DHT’S ‘WEST SIDE’ OVERCOMES RAIN

“West Side Story,”  the seminal and timeless Broadway musical, has been undergoing an unprecidented challenge in its current run.

I saw the splendid Diamond Head Theatre performance Saturday night (March 21), battling a pre-curtain downpour, and the Sunday matinee (March 22) unfolded without incident.

The Jerome Robbins classic on stage and on film hasn’t experienced this kind of bumps in the road that have challenged the DHT company. First, opening night hasn’t happened yet due to the Kona-low weather; it’s set in April, if you have tickets.

Two shows – scheduled as before-opening-extensions of the run – had to be canceled. The earlier Sunday matinee was able to play to an audience, but the theater discovered its roof leaked, providing potential danger for the cast.

But like the industry mantra goes, “the show must go on,” and it’s been operating with caution and fueled by determination. Most ticketed theater-goers have been showing up, rain or not.

“West Side Story” needs no introduction; it’s a love story with gang fights, based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” with an iconic score by Leonard Bernstein (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics), with book by Arthur Laurents. The vision – and choreography – are by the fabled Jerome Robbins, and theater actors know it takes a whole lot of kicks and leaps, since the production is known for its signature dance fights.

This is the show that introduced “rumble” to the litany of musical comedy.

Damian Chambers is Tony, Relle Reavis is Maria, in “West Side Story.” Photos by Brandon Miyagi, courtesy Diamond Head Theaatre.

Andrew Sakaguchi, director and choreographer, has emerged as a seasoned player on the dark side of the footlights, ably shuffling the enormous task of moving and shaping a company of 27 actors, singers and dancers.  He doesn’t fumble the rumble; he maintains confidence and creativity, from the darkly-lit opening fugue among the Jets and the Sharks, to the tearful “Somewhere” moment of tragedy that brings down the curtain.

As Tony, Damian Chambers (with Jonah Guerrero as alternate) brings national creds to the stage, and defines his character with a warm voice and awesome physical stamina. His balcony scene with Maria, played by Relle Reavis (sweetly romantic), proves he’s a gallant beau. They share and project young love on “Tonight,” leading to Maria’s acknowledgement, “J’adore.”

Other roles are well cast, too.  Anita (Emi Sampson, great dancer, rich emotion) delivers “America,” with her agile corps of supportive Sharks women. The feuding gang leaders, Riff (Mike Braud) and Bernardo (Dwayne Sakaguchi), are robust and rigorous, in their dance and fight moves.

The Sharks gang, ready to rumble. Photo by Brandon Miyagi, courtesy DHT.

In smaller roles, standouts include Doc (Joe Martyak), the drugstore owner; Officer Krupke (Ioane Camacho), the cop; and Chino (Justin Garde), Bernardo’s friend.

The tech crew’s contributions are noteworthy. DeAnne Kennedy, set designer, utilizes a functional and principal silhouette of a cityscape to “set”  the show; and Stephen Clear’s lighting design illuminates the “place.” Michael Minor and La Fa‘amausili-Siliato’s sign design was clicking, until  the moment of “squawking” late in the show I saw, undoubtedly corrected by now. Kyle Connor’s props design tapped everything from the grocery to the balcony, from bridal shop to bedroom; Aiko Schick’s hair and make-up design, always faultless, are up to snuff; and Jason Nomura’s musical direction is joyously and jubilantly seductive, flowing and soaring throughout the rich and rousing Bernstein-Sondheim score.

Most theater-goers – director-choreographer Sakaguchi included, as he admits in his director’s notes – are introduced to “West Side Story” via the vintage cinema version. I did, too. “Oklahoma,” too, is another classic musical that lured fans. These shows are challenges for theaters to stage, because of the huge casts, demanding technical challenges, and mostly require the right vision and energy, along with a huge budget to make all the buttons to click. Diamond Head Theatre should be proud to create a production of this caliber. The company persevered, amid  the Kona-low rains and winds, and though I joking called this the “Wet Side Story” in a previous column, we in Hawaii always believe that rain brings good luck.  But OK, akua, enough already We’ve had all the rain we need for a while. “West Side Story” has  survived the storm…

‘West Side Story’

What: a musical by Arthur Lauwents (book), Leonard Bernstein (music), and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics), originally directed and choreographed by visionary Jerome Robbins.

Where: Diamond Head Theatre.

When: Remaining performances at 7 p.m. March 26, 7 :30 p.m. March 27, 3 and 7:30 p.m. March 28, 3 p.m and 7:30 p.m. March 29, 7 p.m. April 2, 7:30 p.m. April 3, 3 and 7:30 p.m. April 4, 3 p.m. April 5, 7 p.m. April 9, 7:30 p.m. April 10, 3 and 7:30 p.m. April 11, 3 p.m. April 12 and 7 p.m. April 16.

Tickets: $43 to $70, at the box office at (808) 733-0274, or online at www.diamondheadtheatre.com

Broadway fans are still wild about  ‘Harry’

“Harry Potter and the Cursed Children” continues to sit atop the Broadway charts. It is one of three shows currently in the elite $2 Million Club.

The Top10:

1—”Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $2.640 million

2—“Hamilton,” $2.403 million

3—“The Lion King,” 2.001 million

4—“Wicked,” $1.949 million

5—“Just in Time,” $1.871 million

6— “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” $1.518 million

7—“Every Brilliant Thing,” $1.355 million

8—“MJ the Musical,” $1..333 million

9—“Aladdin,” $1.287 million

10—“The Great Gatsby,” $1.219 million

Here’s the complete list of play grosses for the week ending March 22, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…