Month: June 2022

Since his “Magnum P.I.” contract ends June 30, series star Jay Hernandez isn’t sitting around waiting for a call for a fifth season.

That was so yesterday. So, he’s going to the movies – the big screen – instead. No more waiting game.

According to Deadline, Hernandez is committed to do a film called “The Long Game,” with Jaina Lee Ortiz, Dennis Quaid and Julian Works, based on Humberto G. Garcia’s book, “Mustang Miracle.”

No specific word on who he’ll play, but the film is based on a true tale based in Texas of the mid-50s. The story focuses on five Mexican-American caddies at a ritzy golf club where the discriminatory rules of that era forbade them from playing golf, according to Deadline. Because these caddies loved golfing, they created their own course (albeit, simple one) in the Texas desert with the kokua of a Latino coach, and were skilled enough to beat the wealthy all-white team players in a 1957 Texas State High School Golf Championship, thus overcoming the racist, discriminatory practices of the elite golf course, elevating the pride and power of being Latino.

With filming beginning this month – not sure if it’ll be Texas – this simply means that Thomas Magnum won’t be available if and when CBS, NBC or a cable streaming network announces, very belatedly, the possibility of a fifth season.

OK, “The Long Game” does not have the reputation and respect of a certified weekly police drama set in our Hawaiian turf, but Hernandez is doing the right thing. Eliminate waiting. Find a job. Go for it. Create your own destiny.

Main thing: Forget the awkward and surprising termination of a bona fide hit show for CBS.

The new film, whatever its outcome, should be a redemption for Hernandez, who has helped steer the TV reboot into a reputable and respected project. Each week, there was a bona fide sense of ohana – family – in the episodes, and Hernandez’s wink-eye, have-fun approach, made “Magnum” an easy watch to applaud.

Remember? The season four finale, with Thomas Magnum and Juliet Higgins (Perdita Weeks) committing to each other romantically, begged for a follow-up, which would have logically been the fifth season. But the crude ending, without the follow-up, was a CBS blunder of major proportions. No aloha spirit…

One out, one in

The Actors Group (TAG) has adjusted its 2022-23 season, replacing “Soldier’s Play” with “The Poet and His Song,” in the Jan.20 to Feb. 12, 2023 playdates at the Brad Powell Theatre in Iwilei.

The substitute celebrates the poems of Paul Larence Dunbar, directed by Derrick Brown and Brad Powell.

Told by a cast of costumed actors, the play examines the triumphs and tragedies of the black life experience, in pre- and post-Emancipation America, in the eyes of the poet artists.

The production is written in both the black dialect of the times as well as standard English. It’s the kind of art TAG is savvy in staging in its intimate performing space..

Details: www.tagtickets@hawaii.rr.com or call (808) 722-6941. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

Daniel Dae Kim, formerly of two island-shot TV series — “Lost” on ABC, “Hawaii Five-O” on CBS – is turning to the comics for his next production.

His newest step, with an Asian American character from comic books, could bolster the image of Asian-Americans, diversifying characters and promoting positive storylines in the process.

As The CW’s “Riverdale” is winding up this year, Kim will extend the Archie Comics franchise to produce “Jake Chang,” a new series via Kim’s 3AD.

According to Deadline, the “Chang” show, written by Oanh Ly and writer-director Viet Nguyen, will be preceded by the character in Archie’s life, who will make his comic book debut this July.

The creators envision “Chang” to be in the spirit of “Riverdale,” with a “soapy, noir thriller set in the world of Archie Comics.”

“We are so proud and honored, to be a part of this new wave of Asian-American content created by and starring Asian-Americans,” Ly and Nguyen said in a joint statement.

 “The world of Jake Chang is vast, compelling, and a whole lot of fun. And just like our rascally teen detective, we’re going to lean into the ‘F U’ of the original ‘Fu Chang’ IP and delightfully destroy all familiar tropes and tell a unique Asian-American story.”

Archie Comics previously introduced a character named Fu Chang, an America- educated international private detective living in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the 1940s. Thus, Fu might be the historical inspiration for Jake, but set in modern times.

Kim’s path, from influential Asian character, has become a triumphant career, of boosting and creating multifaceted and stereotype-breaking roles, as a director and a producer with visibility and positivity that have reflected in number of films and TV shows.

He is best known for playing two recurring Asian roles on episodic TV: as Jin-Soo Kwan in “Lost” on ABC  and as Chin Ho Kelly on CBS.”

On “Avatar: the Last Airbender,” a TV production still underway,  his role is that of Fire Lord Ozai. On “New Amsterdam,” he has portrayed Dr. Cassian Shin; as Dr. Jackson Han, he was a doctor on “The Good Doctor.”

On stage, he starred as the King of Siam in “The King and I,” and he voiced the part of Benja on “Raya and the Last Dragon.”

The credits are varied and numerous. He truly has become an Everyman in film work, since he’s practically everywhere, sometimes seen, sometimes not. …

Message to exec producer Kim : Why not contemplate and create a Hawaii-filmed modernized series based on the legendary Charlie Chan, the 1920s murder-solving sleuth launched in Earl Derr Biggers’ novel, “The House Without a Key,” and cast an island Chinese actor in the process? Just thinking. …

Calendar notes

Rolando Sanchez shares his sizzling salsa songs and sounds, for listening and dancing  at 7:30 p.m. today (June 25) at Manoa Valley Theatre. Tickets are $30, at www.manovalleytheatre.com. Reserved seating policy prevails. …

Manhattan Transfer brings its nostalgic vibes to Blue Note Hawaii, at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. June 30 to July 3. The group is best known for its “Tuxedo Junction” hit. Tickets: $65 and $45, available at www.bluenotehawaii.com. Seating is first-come, first-served, with dinner and beverages options. …

A TV special, “Inspire You and Me,” will air at 9:30 p.m. today (June 25) on K5. It features Roy and Kathy Sakuma, whose names intertwine with ukulele lessons and ukulele festivals, in a joint career that dates back 50 years and tappng thousands of uke-strumming students, young and old alike. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

By the time you read this, Shari Lynn and husband Michael Acebedo will be sailing to Bermuda, to continue their vacation and their delayed (the pandemic, of course) wedding anniversary celebration.

They were in New York, getting their deli fix, and mixing in Broadway shows and visits with friends in a decidedly saner and more relaxing tempo. No more jamming and cramming the agenda, like the old days.

She emailed, sharing some of their experiences, and took in the revival of “Funny Girl,” the show about Fannie Brice that made Barbra Streisand a certified star. “Beanie (Feldstein), the newbie Brice, was out at the performance the Acebedos took in, but “her understudy, Julie Benko, was sensational,” said Shari. It’s a role I believe Shari played at Diamond Head Theatre, back in the day, so there was keen interest in catching this new version.

But oy vey, when Shari caught “Company,” she said, but “Guess what? Patti (Lupone) was out.  Jennifer Simard (a Tony nominee) donned a black wig and did justice to ‘Ladies Who Lunch.’ But for me, Elaine Stritch owns that song. The overall production was so well done.”

They attended “Paradise Square,” too, which she said was “simultaneously thrilling and educational. The Kailuans were to see Billy Crystal in “Mr. Saturday Night,” but she didn’t mention it.

But smart cookies: the Acebedos ventured to the theaters at Lincoln Center and saw “Top Gun.” Yep, enjoyed it, like everyone else. “If you like action and Tom Cruise, it’s unbeatable,” she said. …

Settle-ing for ‘Beanstalk’

Keala Settle, a native of Hawaii (Kahuku), will do her first-ever pantomime role over the holidays, in Britain.

She’ll appear as the Fairy, in “Jack and the Beanstalk,” a Christmas-time presentation by Royal & Derngate in Northampton, London.

In this country, Settle is widely known as the Bearded Lady in Hugh Jackman’s cinematic hit, “The Greatest Showman,” because she delivered that whoppingly powerful rock ballad, “This Is Me,” a declaration of acceptance, no matter who or what you are.

“Jack and the Beanstalk” will run from Dec. 9 through Jan. 2, 2023.

The cast will feature Alex Lodge as Jack and Bob Golding as Dame.

Settle made her West End theatrical debut when she was part of the “& Juliet” cast which was followed by the revival of “Sister Act,” for the Brit theater-goers.“ Panto(mime) is such a beloved institution in this country and I have always wanted to be a part of one,” said Settle, hoping that the panto “Jack” will be “an incredible experience.” …

And that’s Show Biz. …