DISNEY+ STREAMING STAGED ‘ENCANTO’

If you enjoyed Disney’s animated “Encanto” film earlier this year, the hit Latino show about the Madrigal family, you might want to check out a Disney Branded Television special, “Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl,” available for streaming via Disney+, beginning today (Thursday Dec. 28).

The stage show, taped for television, originates from the Hollywood Bowl which was transformed into the magical Casita and features a special introduction from show creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. The spectacle features an 80-member orchestra and assembles a dancing ensemble of  50 dancers, with original voices of the animated film featured: Stephanie Beatriz (as Mirabel), Adassa (as Dolores), Carolina Gaitán (as Pepa), Jessica Darrow (as Luisa), Diane Guerrero (as Isabela), Mauro Castillo (as Félix), Angie Cepeda (as Julieta) and Olga Merediz (as Abuela Alma) and special guests, including legendary Colombian superstars and multiple Latin Grammy winners Carlos Vives and Andrés Cepeda.

“Encanto” originates from the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.


Of course, one of the popular featured tunes is the unexpected No. 1 hit breakout hit, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.”

Wonder if this staged production is a preview or a trial balloon for Disney’s rumored intention to transport the animated film into the realm of a Broadway musical someday. …

Around ‘n’ about…

Shari Lynn

Singer Shari Lynn will be joined by keyboardist Jim Howard in  a last-minute New Year’s Eve booking at the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s lounge fronting the Bali restaurant.  The gig, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday night, will showcase Shari’s signature jazz, with a serving of favorites from the Great  American Songbook catalogue of tunes by the likes of Cole Porter and the George and Ira Gershwin repertoire. The venue, plagued by pillars, has limited seating, so plan accordingly. ..

America (Dewey Burnell and Gerry Beckley) will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 15 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets: $49 to $129 at www.ticketmaster.com. Expect to  hear such chart toppers “Tin Man,” “A Horse With No Name,” “Sister Golden Hair,”  “You Can Do Magic,” “Ventura Highway,” and “Lonely People.” …

Blue Note attractions

Blue Note Hawaii, at the Outrigger Waikiki resort, will welcome a host of diverse acts during the New Year.

Jake Shimabukuro

First, a few local shows:

Jake Shimabukuro reunites with his Pure Heart band, at 6:30 and 9 pm. Jan. 18 and 19. Tickets: $35- $45.

Azure McCall and Ken Polson make a rare appearance together at 3 and 6:30 p.m. April 16. Tickets: $25-$35

Visiting acts:

Felix Cavaliere and the Rascals take the limelight, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Jan. 27, 28 and 29. Tickets:$45-$55.

Chris Botti returns for performances at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Feb. 9, 20, 11 and 12. Tickets: $75-$85.

The Manhattan Transfer concertizes at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Feb. 21 and 22. Tickets: $55-$65.

Shaun Cassidy

Shaun Cassidy offers shows at 6:30 and 9 p.m. March 10 and 11. Tickets: $45-$55.

Tower of Power and its famous brass section pump it out at 7 p.m. May 11 and 14 and 6:30 and 9 p.m. May 12 and 13. Tickets: $86-$116.

Ticketmaster.com is the official Blue Note website; note that other sellers often sell seats at higher prices. Blue Note phone: (808) 777-4890…

And that’s Show Biz. …

‘TIS CHRISTMAS TIME…IN RHYME

‘Twas the night before Christmas

And Santa wondered in his sleigh;

“What am I delivering

“For the folks of Hawaii Nei?”

Since the yuletide is on Sunday

His worries were tough;

Delivering his presents

On the Eve? Whoa, rough!

The coronavirus had challenged

His legion of elves.

Despite face masks and boosters

They could  barely fill his gift shelves.

Gov. Josh Green

For Governor Josh Green

Aloha wear aplenty

No more green scrubs

As work gear, evidently.

For LG Sylvia Luke

A roster of must-do chores

To validate her election

With projects she adores.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi

For Mayor Blangiardi

A special wishing well.

To get the rail rolling

Come high water or hell.

Another December vacation

For Barack and Michelle;

And a holiday title for Bette Midler:

The Jingle Belle.

Bruno Mars

For Bruno Mars another stint

As a Super Bowl half-time trouper

Pure talent; no frills,

Just Hooligans. Super duper.

And please, for Marcus Mariota,

Just let him be;

Still a QB work-in-progress

He’ll eventually get there. Whee!

And no more injuries

For the Dolphin’s QB Tua;

Plus a Super Bowl bid

Some day, for shuwah!

Jason Momoa

For Jason Momoa,

Less projects, more time.

To focus on authenticity

For his movies sublime.

For the “NCIS: Hawai‘I” crew

A Hawaiian language dictionary

To bolster pronunciation

Hey, the show’s not Pictionary.

Jay Hernandez

For“Magnum’s” Jay Hernandez

A welcome-back nod

For NBC, peacock feathers,

For a miracle…like God.

For the visiting “Hamilton” cast

Bravos, standing ovations!

Being in the room where it happens

Is cause  for celebrations.

Frank DeLima

For comic Frank DeLima;

More home-grown parodies

For prolific Henry Kapono

More feel-good isle melodies.

Robert Cazimero

For Robert Cazimero, what else?

A hefty 12-string pikake lei;

For Shari Lynn, a rescheduled

Jazz concert, soon, okay?

Another home-brewed concert

Clarke Bright

For Royal Hawaiian Band maestro Clarke Bright

May the ork returns to Carnegie Hall

‘Twould be aloha — book a flight!

And wouldn’t it be sweet

If there’s more collaboration

Between Kyle Kakuno and Roslyn Catracchia

For more yuletide exploration?

Loretta Ables Sayre

For Loretta Ables Sayre,

Deliver a Broadway show;

It’s time for her to rev up

Her singing, comedic glow.

For Judy Murata

A jug of good cheer.

For Danny Kaleikini

Perennial aloha that’s dear.

Frances Kakugawa

For author Frances Kakugawa

A fifth “Wordsworth” book.

For Alan Wong and Alan Takasaki

New kitchens where they’d cook.

For Vanita Rae Smith

More directing chores;

For the Bright Kid brand

A show to reopen the doors?

Kevin Iwamoto

For Kevin Iwamoto

No more plumbing leaks;

Dripping water, mold,

A mess no one seeks.

For the venerable Roy Sakuma

More time teaching kids;

The Ukulele Festival is pau

Anyone with new bids?

Cha Thompson

For retired Cha Thompson

Something simple, besides wealth;

More mo‘opuna time, less stress

A recipe for good health.

For Afatia and Misty

The Tihati Productions team

Bryan Tolentino

A new Polynesian show…

Would be a keen dream.

Jerry Santos

For Jerry Santos, Bryan Tolentino

More gigs small and big;

For Makana, Taimane

Rolando, too. Dig?

Keai ‘i Reichel

For Kuana, Keali‘i,

Two peas in a pod.

As singing kumu hula

They deserve halau nod.

Applause for Manoa Valley

For its vibrant website;

A nudge to Diamond Head

To catch up, shed light?

For Kimie Miner, a trophy

For her “Christmas in Hawaii” tune;

Kimie Miner

It’s surely a notable hottie

With lyrics that’ll make you swoon.

For my Mainland buds

Ellen, Christine and Willy?

Warm hoodies, of course,

It’s winter time, silly!

Audy Kimura

To animal advocate Audy

An arf and a meow.

Maybe a song to show

The rest of us how?

Carole? Melveen?

Nohe? Amy? Marlene?

Maybe it’s time to update

The Local Divas? Keen?

Kalani Pe’a

Or perhaps a Dudes version

With Keola?  Kapono?

Kapena? Kalani?

Would this be ho‘oponopono?

And why not assemble

An all-star band?

With Michael P., Jake S.

John K., Benny C. Grand!

Lee Cataluna

An Obie for Lee Cataluna

A Tony for Greg Zane;

A Pulitzer for Paul Theroux

Awards wish list..sane?

Jack Cione

For sea-worthy Jack Cione

A lifetime cruise pass.

With shipboard musicians

Ho‘okena, Makaha Sons. Class!

For Al Waterson and Nancy Bernal .

And Eddie Onouye and Carole Kai

Eternal happiiness and togetherness

And toss in a mai tai.

For Jay Larrin, joy

With snows on Mauna Kea;

For Nippon deejay Kamasami Kong

More fans here and deah.

For you, dearest readers

You Mr. and Ms.

Season’s tidings, aloha,

And that’s Christmas Show Biz. …