Month: July 2022

Posted on

CASTING DIRECTOR DOVERSOLA DIES

Margaret Doversola, a pioneering casting director who enabled many local actors find roles in the initial era of signature TV series and movies filmed in Hawaii, died peacefully in her sleep on Friday, July 1, 2022. She was 78.

She was initially a secretary of the original producer of the Jack Lord-led “Hawaii Five-0.” But her work ethics weren’t unnoticed by Lord, who hired her as his personal assistant, and she was part of the unknown icons of “Five-0,” CBS’s first procedural to be filmed entirely in the islands. Doversola remained close to Lord, until his final days.

Though born in Manchester, England, she relocated with her family to Australia when she was 7, and later immigrated to Hawaii where she earned a degree at BYU-Hawaii, in 1966. She also briefly taught in Utah.

She eventually became assistant casting director for CBS’ second on-location show, “Magnum P.I.,” in 1980, working alongside Tom Selleck to secure island talent and faces for roles in episodic TV here.

Margaret Doversola

Doversola was instrumental in recognizing and signing a string of actors for a variety of shows for more than three decades. She also conducted workshops for newbies in need of skills to survive a casting call.

Among her signees: Jason Momoa, Kelly Hu, Elizabeth Lindsey, Tia Carrere and Branscombe Richmond.

She was known to recognize a face, and enabled unknowns to do extra work, eventually landing them speaking roles. “Margaret was always incredibly positive and cheerful in our auditions,” said Julia Nickson, who went from Liberty House model to on-screen co-star in such vehicles as “Rambo First Blood, Part II,” and “Magnum.”

She rubbed shoulders with a retinue of actors who had film or TV projects here, including Jon Hamm, Carol Burnett, Richard Chamberlain, Ben Affleck, David Hasselhoff, Jim Nabors, Branden Fraser.

Doversola’s daughter, Lane Doversola, said her mom was someone “who loved all people and had a huge heart. My mom was always behind the scenes and instrumental in helping young local talents make their dreams come true landing big roles in Hollywood. However, in my life, she was my hero and the true shining star.”

Other actors shared reaction to Doversola’s passing.

Said actress Elizabeth Lindsey: “Margaret was a beacon for many. She guided our careers with an equal measure of tenacity and kindness… She saw potential in this country girl and gave me my wings to fly. Now it’s time for our beloved mentor and friend to take flight.”

“Margaret Doversola’s encouragement and support for me in her acting workshops inspired me to pursue my acting career at a young age,” said Matt Sato, of the “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D” Disney series filming its second season currently.

Jordan Segundo, TV anchor, actor and singer, said:  “Margaret Doversola had an incredible spirit and was a big supporter of local talent.  She will be missed.”

Nancy Bernal, entertainment manager, said, “She promoted professionalism and kindness in her acting workshops that she taught for both adults and children.”

Funeral services will be held on July 16, 2022, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she was an active member. The church is at 219 Lunalilo Home Road in Hawaii Kai. Visitation will be from 10 a.m., with services from 11 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life from 12:30 to 2 p.m. …

Two productions are extended

Manoa Valley Theatre’s revival production of Lisa Matsumoto’s pidgin-English musical has been extended for three more performances, July 15, 16 and 17, at Kaimuki High School Auditorium.

It  was to end July 10, but Da Wicked Queen, Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella will get more giddy times on stage. …

Diamond Head Theatre’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” set to open July 20, already has added shows on Aug. 13 and 14. It’s a Broadway show inspired by the Roald Dahl book that features the story of Charlie Bucket’s quest to visit Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory via a golden ticket hidden in a chocolate bar. …

Broadway grosses, week ending July 3

“The Music Man” and its “76 Trombones” reign over the box office grosses, the week ending July 3. It earned $3.067 million, according to the Broadway League.

There was a bit of a gain for “The Lion King,” which roared to $2,162 million and No. 2 on the charts.

“Hamilton” was a whisker away, but at No. 3, with its take of $2.152 million. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

Posted on

MINION NOTECARD TO WELCOME ‘GRU’

With arrival today (July 2) of “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” opening at theaters here and abroad, I decided to create a Minion notecard, suitable to friend someone, expressing thanks, or simply thinking-of-you moments.

Usually have a Minion card in my collection, but none recently, so the Wild Cards file now welcome these cuties.

Sharing these cards, before shuttling to catch a matinee screening of the movie. Don’tcha adore the Minions??

My Wild Cards creation, to welcome the new “Gru” Minions film.

My Wild Cards creation, to welcome the new “Gru” film.

Posted on

MOMOA CASTING FOR ISLE FILM

Jason Momoa, the Nanakuli native who’s become a Hollywood superstar, will take on the leading role, co-write the screenplay, and serve as an executive producer, of a historical project that will probe the unification and colonization of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

“Chief of War,” earlier announced as an AppleTV+ film, will view island history from an indigenous point of view.
The project will film here this fall, so Momoa has scheduled two casting calls in July, with specific needs for adult men and women of Hawaiian and Polynesian descent, including Maori prospects. The search will include speaking roles, too.

The audition dates:

  • July 15, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Waianae Intermediate School Cafeteria.
  •  July 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Bishop Museum.
Jason Momoa

The film will focus during the turn of the 18th century, when there were four major kingdoms of Hawaii, engaged in wars. The story is historically true, about Kai‘ana, a war chieftain, who travels the world outside of Hawaii and discovers his island home is being invaded and anticipates that the kingdoms would not be able to survive the power of foreign interests. Thus, Kai‘ana returns home to find a bloody campaign and joins the fight for unity.

Momoa will star as Kai‘ana, who also was known as the Prince of Kauai. Momoa is co-writing the script with collaborators Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett and Doug Jung.  He has been particularly passionate about “Chief of War,” because he was born in Nanakuli and is part Hawaiian, making him a certified keiki o ka ‘aina.

Applicants must be residents of Hawaii, 18 years or older, and experienced actors as well as newcomers are invited. Other audition details are posted here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbb37YGO0ff/

Hugh Jackman

“Chief of War” will be streamed on AppleTV+, where Momoa had his foot in the Apple door as a star for two seasons as Baba Voss, in the just concluded action-drama, “See.”…

Broadway grosses, week ending June 26

With Hugh Jackman returning to the cast of  “The Music Man,” the Meredith Wilson musical, after a post-Tony bought with COVID 19, the show has an attendance bounce, topping a $3.2 million gross once again, besting “Hamilton” and its $2.2 million take last week. “The Lion King” was third, with $2.1 million.

The outlook:

And that’s Show Biz. …

Posted on

NBC SIGNS ‘MAGNUM’ FOR 2 SEASONS

CBS’ “Magnum P.I.,” which filmed four seasons in Hawaii but was canceled by the network in May, has found a new home at NBC, and has been assured of at least two more seasons, with options for more.

The life-saving story, revealed a day ago — and 49 days after CBS canceled the sleuth-in-a-red Ferrari show —  includes a renewal program over two years but with a vastly reduced 20-episode deal, or 10 per season, half of the customary 20-plus single year timetable .

And because the lateness of the decision by NBC, production cannot begin till this fall, and a programming slot won’t be known till 2023.

A tangle of discussions apparently were held to rescue the popular show, featuring Jay Hernandez as Thomas Magnum, and his colleague Julia Higgins, portrayed by Perdita Weeks. “Magnum” has maintained a respectable ratings record in its primetime Friday slot, preceding CBS’ “‘Blue Bloods,” ironically starring Tom Selleck, the original “Magnum” back in the day. The reboot’s numbers — 7.338 million viewers per episode, according to Nielsen – means it ranked 30th out of 151 Big 4 broadcast programs over the recently-wrapped September-to-May season. “Magnum” also was tied for 56th in the desired adults 18-49 demo (a 0.7 rating), aligned with shows like “Shark Tank,” “The Resident,” and “Law & Order.”

Perdita Weeks as Higgins, Jay Hernandez as Magnum: Two-year-renewal on NBC.

When keep-it or kill-it season neared, the apparent key issue of friction was the licensing fee – “the biggest sticking point,” as expressed by IndieWire. The rights to the show were owned by NBCUniversal’s Universal Television. Earlier talks about the fate of “Magnum” mentioned that NBC and its streaming wing, Peacock, would be the ultimate destination..

Amy Hill

Hernandez might have had some inside knowledge that a pick-up was coming, later than sooner, so he signed on to filming this summer of an indie film, “The Long Game.” He’ll still be able to complete that mission.

Amy Hill, who plays Teuila Tuileta, aka Kumu, on “Magnum,” is said to have two film projects this summer, that also will be completed before the fall shooting of the show agenda under new call letters. Presumably, cast members can sign on to projects when filming is not under way.

Clearly, when the filming begins, NBC can begin its storytelling at the point of the CBS ending, when Magnum and Higgins kissed and cooed and made certain an element of romance would be part of their relationship in the future. But the axe fell, when CBS didn’t renew, so NBC can now strut its peacock feathers when the new era of “Magnum” begins. …

‘All Rise’ moves to OWN

Another CBS series, “All Rise,” was not renewed by CBS after two seasons, but it found a new home at the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

Ruthie Ann Miles

Season three, thus is under way, with Simone Missick, back in court as Judge Lola Carmichael, who also serves as an exec producer of the show. Of particular interest to Islanders, however, is that a co-star on the show, played by Tony-winning actress from Kaimuki High School, Ruthie Ann Miles, who continues as Lola’s assistant Sherri Kansky. She has been a Broadway musical theater star, earning a Tony for her featured supporting role in “The King and I,” but also is known for portraying Imelda Marcus in an off-Broadway musical, “Here Lies Love,” which earned her the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical f

And that’s Show Biz. …