Month: July 2021

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BROADWAY NAMES TOP EMMY NOMS

When the 73rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards are staged Sept. 19 on CBS, the competition will feel like a Tony Awards evening because of a range Broadway stars dominating the list of nominees. A few already have claimed a Tony.

“Hamilton,” the mega-hit musical on the Great White Way, nabbed 12 nominations for the widely applauded televised reboot of a filmed performance streamed on Disney+ earlier this year.

Notable previous Tony winners are among the top nominees, as the taped movie of a stage production has been deemed worthy of consideration in the limited or anthology series or movies.

Thus, key “Hamilton” talent, most of them original cast members of the Broadway hit, are vying for Emmys:

Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of “Hamilton,” was the titular star on Broadway and on film.
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Lin-Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom.
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress in Anthology or Movie: Renee Elise Goldsberry and Phillipa Soo.
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor in Anthology or Movie: Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Groff and Anthony Ramos.
  • Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-recorded): “Hamilton” and “David Byrne’s American Utopia” (released on HBO/HBO Max
  • Among other Broadway troupers in contention:
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Billy Porter in “Pose.”
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama: Mj Rodriguez in “Pose.” (The first trans woman nominated).
  • Outstanding Drama Series: “Pose.”
  • Guest Appearance in a Series: Bernadette Peters, on “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.”
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology: Cynthia Erivo, for “Genius,” portraying Aretha Franklin.
  • Uzo Abuda, “In Treatment.”
  • Allison Janney, in “Mom.”
  • John Lithgow, in “Perry Mason.”
  • William H. Macy, in “Shame.”
  • Ewan McGreggor, in “Halston.”
  • Phyllicia Rashad, in “This Is Us.”
  • Josh O’Conner, in “The Crown.”
  • Ashley Park, in “Emily in Paris.”
  • “Tina,” HBO’s documentary, with clips from the Broadway musical on Tina Turner’s life, for Outstanding Documentary or Non-Fiction Special.
  • Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, for Original Music and Lyrics for “WandaVision.”
  • David Rockwell, for Outstanding Production for a Variety Special, for his work on the televised 2020 Academy Awards.

Numerous Broadway talent also performed on “Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square,” vying for Outstanding Television Movie. And Marc Shaiman provided an original song in “Soundtrack of Our Lives.” …

To reiterate, this is not a full compilation of nominees; the focus here is on the community of Broadway troupers in contention for Emmys; if some or many win, Tony wins, too. …

Make your own ‘A Chorus Line’ playbill

If you’re attending the opening performance of “A Chorus Line,” or any of the shows through Aug. 8 at Diamond Head Theatre, I suggest you make your own playbill and bring it with you.

Download and make your own playbill.

The pandemic has eliminated hand-out playbills that list songs, production credits, and cast list with photos to help identify the performers and backstage artists.

I know, DHT should have published the usual program as a salute to its cast and an amenity to its playgoers, but throughout this coronavirus cloud, we’ve all have had to do what we need to do to enjoy the disruptions and challenges of getting through this malady.

How to create your own playbill? Go to the DHT website; if you ordered tickets, you should have received a note about downloading the credits. Do so; print out the pages, then assemble in the sequence required. I stapled the pages and cut off unwanted borders, and covered the stapled edge with washi tape (Scotch tape will do), mostly to avoid knicks from the pointy metallic staples on the spine, Voila, you’ll have a playbill to peruse.

You’ll likely have the urge to peek to see who’s who and when; you’ll sure to be curious about an actor, singer, or dancer.

Additional advice: “A Chorus Line” runs 2 hours, without an intermission (the show is programmed that way) so do your bathroom before curtain or afterwards. Social distancing  protocols are in place,  mandating seats and empty spaces.  But for all practical purposes, each show will be “sold out.”

To director-choreographer Greg Zane and his cast, “break a leg!”…

And that’s “Show Biz.” …

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KAU KAU AT KALO: A WORK IN PROGRESS

It took several weeks, and a concerted effort to score a table, to sample the menu and ambiance at Chef Chai Chaowasari’s newest Waikliki eatery, KALO Hawaiian Food.

KALO Hawaiian Food entry door is located on the Kuhio Avenue side of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel.

In the heart of Waikiki, on the ground floor of the Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach, it’s located at a busy intersection at Royal Hawaiian and Kuhio Avenues.

The restaurant has a casual vibe and projects similarities with Chai’s Bistro, the signature eatery on Kapiolani Boulevard, across nearby Blaisdell Center.

Hawaiian sampler: front, kalua pig; chicken long rice, pipikaula; rear, lomi salmon, poi, ahi poke and a bowl of rice.

There’s indoor and outdoor dining space. The menu is extensive but confusing, because our waiter said the best way to order is to select your entrée first (lau lau is the centerpiece of of the fare), then do the add-ons.

Since KALO is the Hawaiian word for taro, the staple starch in Hawaiian culture, and the focus of the restaurant, one might be somewhat puzzled that there are a couple of non-Hawaiian signature dishes – primarily the excellent steamed sea bass, from the Bistro’s menu, along with island style BBQ chicken, lobster curry and oxtail soup.

And it becomes understandable why.

Lau lau: flavorful with pork, cuddled by taro leaves.

While a Hawaiian menu might seem like a surefire hit in visitor central, there were perhaps three tables of visitors who might have wanted to sample a Hawaiian menu who perused the choices…then decided to leave. Confused by choices? Prices? Not adventurous to try Hawaiian food?

Understandably, luau kau kau should entice more visitors but the hesitancy seems odd.  A primer might be handy; this is not the kau kau served at luau shows here because no matter what, poi should be a gotta-try but winds up not particularly likeable (though small) element of the visitor dining experience here. The fish and the BBQ chicken might be the go-to items, since these are stand-along entrees that do not need starters.

Uncertainty is a possible villain here, since the  menu seems still a work in progress.

What’s good: the lau lau entrée (moist and chockful of pork flavor) and the haupia dessert (a sweet climax).

But you get neither in a $45 sampler that includes small portions of kalua pig (too dry), lomi salmon (too much lomi, not enough salmon), ahi poke (familiar flavors and a satisfactory portion for newbies),  chicken long rice (pleasant taste, but the rice noodles are almost as large as udon, not the usual thin variety), pipikaula (looks better than it tastes, sinewy and tough to chew), poi (very tiny  portion) and rice (too flaky, like Chinese restaurant fare, when it should be the customary rice you get two scoops of at nearly every other joint).

 I adore and applaud Chai’s endeavors of the past, from his original Thai menu up to his  Bistro selections, but KALO shouts for his immediate and inevitable adjustments.

It seems sensible to bump the marginal kalua pig and even the rice, and substitute with a very mini lau lau like the one Willows used to serve in its buffet; large enough to enjoy the flavors and texture of taro leaf cuddling pork. That would add value to the $45 pricetag.

The sampler is enough to share with a partner; I ordered the lau lau while my wife opted for the succulent steamed bass.  The sampler provided her “sides.” (Two other couples in our party did the same thing, selecting the mixed mini-plates). Because haupia is something most folks seldom make at home, I ordered a larger portion, enough to share; the dessert was sweet and moist, with the precise creamy texture.

And who doesn’t like pipikaula? A better grade of meat would ramp up its appeal and be a worthy sider/starter at $22.

What’s worrisome: if locals don’t give a stamp of approval of the fare here, they won’t make a trek to Waikiki to give it a try; visitors are already in Waikiki, and by ramping up flavors or elevating some of the fare, they’ll help spread the word that KALO is the real deal.

The interior dining space is airy and modern with views of both avenues and visitors wandering; there is splendid old-fashioned Hawaiian music, which transforms you to another era in a simpler Hawaii, if you close your eyes. The walls have images of island folks and places.

The $52 steak and lobster curry choices on a Hawaiian menu seem out of place but serve as life savers in case of an emergency; surely Chai knows his way around his exotic flavors and plating, and these options appear to cater to those who dodge the traditional Hawaiian dishes. Chai also sneaks in his delectable flan and familiar heart-shaped chocolate/gelato truffle desserts, for brownie points. But the question is: why visit a Hawaiian food restaurant if you order alternatives

*. *. * *. *. *. *

KALO HAWAIIAN FOOD

Hours: 4:30 to 10 p.m. daily

Location: 400 Royal Hawaiian Avenue,

at Kuhio Avenue, on the ground floor of the Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach

Valet parking: $6 with validation, access via Royal Hawaiian Avenue

Information: 931-6222

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‘WHITE LOTUS’ REVIEW: OVERTOURISM??

The real star of HBO/HBO Max’s “The White Lotus” is the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Location! Location! Location!

Though the brand’s name is never utilized in the show, the property’s luxurious ambience — from suites to pools, from dining facilities to an abundance of beachfront cabanas –is the perfect site that suits the unending and unapologetic vibes of the rich-and-conflicted clientele depicted in Mike White’s dramady of manners, or lack thereof, set in a Pacific resort.

The six-parter which debuted this past Sunday (July 11) — with airing of new episodes for the next few Sundays — provides an intimate and outrageous portrait of disgruntled travelers of privilege. Its satiric strokes and pokes at the disrespectful wealthy arrives at a time – real time – when Maui and much of the rest of Hawaii resorts are coping with too many visitors and not enough workhands, and this tongue-in-cheek treatment presents one-sided evidence that travelers are a pain in the derriere.

Hotel workers welcome a band of travelers, in the first episode of HBO/HBO Max’s “The White Lotus.”

So the nuisance of overtourism rears an ugly head.

Exaggerated, yes, like the newlywed groom, complaining endlessly about not being in the honeymoon suite, while the bride tries to comfort him and explaining to the hotel’s front desk manner that the accommodations are fine, disputing her hubby.

Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge), a woman traveling with the remains of her late mom, seeks Belinda (Nathasha Rothwell), a masseuse and spa manager, to ease her backaches, and she is the essence of someone who also is a pain in the butt, clinging to the massage whiz like opihi on rock, but a good tipper.

It’s fantasy, of course, and clearly represents the myriad of mishaps and the multitude of complainants within the community of a hotel. The tale could easily be set on a luxury liner or at summer camp, with similar implications. In reality, the “Lotus” cast and crew set up house and workplace, at the pricey Four Seasons last October through December, when most everyplace else had shut down due to the pandemic.

As guests arrive via boat (presumably from a nearby island, after a formal flight), hotel manager Armond (Murray Bartlett) and newbie trainee Lani (Jolene Purdy) welcome the visitors each with different complaints.

The hotelier realizes that the privileged have a thirst for attention, so the squeaky wheels abound and catering to the requests is the key option.  

There’s suspense, too; so “Lotus” will evolve into a peeling murder mystery in the weeks to come.

The good news, however sparse: There are three islanders in the cast, though one wonders if this is a credit worth boasting about. Loretta Ables Sayre shows up in one scene; if you blink, you’ll miss her. Kekoa Scott Kekumano will recur as hotel employee Kai.  Brad Kalilimoku appears as a paddler, though in an uncredited role.

The bad news: In the opener, there were two somewhat startling scenes; Lani, the trainee, is hapai and her water breaks right next to the front desk.Traveler Mark Mossbacher (Steve Zahn), not only reveals he has a medical issue, testicular cancer, but he shows his junk – presumably not really his, but stand-in privates. It’s mockingly queasy stuff.

Perhaps the future episodes will render more startling scenes with less offensive results. The Four Seasons  likely will remain the star, and perhaps welcome guests who may want to stay in the rooms of the “Lotus” cast. Without the baggage of whines.

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DO YOU COLLECT SOMETHING?

Just asking…

Do you have a hobby? How did it start, and has it been an ongoing passion?

Many folks are addicted to collecting something or continue to have activities that are part of your life.

I collect apples, because I made annual trips to The Big Apple, the nickname for New York City. When I traveled there, or for that matter, any city, I would purchase apples of any kind: ceramic, wood, plastic, metallic, you name it. Apples in red, green, yellow, brown (if wooden) and gold (if metallic); a number of red apples boast a yellow “glow.”

Apples commonly are life-size, meaning they look like what you see in markets.

But renderings range from carved, to resemble bites in the apple, some are “sliced” to depict the white fruit complete with seeds. Some ornamental red apples glow with red beads, giving them a sparkly veneer, others are striped or polka-dotted. There are no limitations; I even have a tic-tac-toe board…with mini green and red apples.

My Christmas tree used to be home for dozens of apple-red glossy ornaments.

Seriously, you need display space for these collectibles; and that is a reason I’ve toned down my apple purchases. Some are scattered to add a dash of color on bookshelves; others are assembled in glass bowls, so the variety can be seen. Still others are nestled in woven baskets.

If you have a hobby – anything from sports trading cards, vintage milk covers, Disney figurines, coins or stamps – please share your thoughts.

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KUMU KAHUA STREAMING ‘STEW RICE’

“Stew Rice,” a popular play by the late Edward Sakamoto, will be revived in a special play reading, streaming at 7 p.m. Saturday (July 17) on YouTube and Kumu Kahua’s Facebook page. There is no admission/viewing fee.

The local comedy, with its original 1995 season cast, will reunite Karen Kaulana, Amy Nishihara, Sharon Aoki, Michael “Sun” Lee, Jason Scott Lee and Marcus Oshiro.

View it at https://www.youtube.com/c/KumuKahuaTheatre

The event will be co-hosted by KHON’s Brook Lee (the 1997 Miss Hawai’i, Miss USA and Miss Universe) and Wil Kahele, a Hawaii actor, writer and director. There also will be tributes to Sakamoto and director Jim Nakamoto.

Details: http://bit.ly/SupportStewRice and http://bit.ly/StewRiceSponsorship.

Obamas delivering ‘Blackout’ on Netflix

President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama: Providing Netflix programming.

The Obamas are coming to Netflix, in their inimitable way — supporting a project dubbed “Blackout,” which is being monitored as both a TV series and a likely film adaptation.

President Barack Obama and wife Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground company will partner with Temple Hill, the group that produced the Kevin Hart “Fatherhood” film, to develop six different love stories, each created by a different writer, dealing with blackout in New York during a hot summer night. The format will be to stage and shape reactions of 12 teens with six shots of love, the theory being that blackouts provoke a myriad of tales, with both personal and potentially universal implications.

The blackout notion coincidentally rings a bell, with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s summer musical, “In the Heights,” now on the big screen and also streaming via HBO Max, which includes a blackout issue. It’s an unintended but familiar model of how an inconvenient lack of power might trigger curious responses. New York, obviously, is a bedrock of unexpected experiences.

The six writers tapped to author the stories are Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk and Nicola Yoon, all with previous cinematic credits.

The Obamas inked a producing deal with Netflix in 2018 and have other projects in development. Perhaps they may consider to someday focus on a Hawaii-based product, like what happens when a huge tidal wave threatens a beachfront complex in a community with no easy way to avoid rising waters? Hmmmm…

Two Honolulans in off-Broadway comedy

Jason Tam

Former Honolulans Jason Tam (“A Chorus Line,” “Be More Chill,” “Jesus Christ Superstar”) and Ann Harada (“Avenue Q,” “Les Miserables,” “Cinderella”) are among the performers in “Fairycakes,” an off-Broadway show opening at the Greenwich House Theater beginning Oct. 14.

The comedy is by Douglas Carter Beane, who also will direct, through its Jan. 2 2022 run. The cast also features Mo Rocco, Jackie Hoffman, Julie Halston, Brooks Ashmanskas, Kuhoo Verma and Jamen Nanthajkumar. …

And that’s “Show Biz.” …