Month: August 2024

Breaking news: Seize the day! Get tickets, if they’re still available! Disney’s “Newsies,” staged by the I’m a Bright Kid Foundation at Paliku Theatre at Windward Community University, is quite a revelation.

It’s a dance-centric show,  with oodles of bright moments, and  a remarkable experience with much to embrace!

Let me count the ways:

• This is clearly and immediately the best end-of-summer show, reflecting a joyous cast of young folks and a handful of seasoned performers. No secret here – it’s the kids that’ll win you over, as the energized “newsies”  — 17 in all (including a couple of girls playing newsboys). They’ve got spunk, energy, desire and mobility, reflecting the kind of unity and esprit of a genuine team effort. There are many standouts, who are carrying on the wisdom and spirit of the late Ron Bright, who planted seeds while a drama mentor at Castle High School, who continued his prolific theatricals at Paliku Theatre until his death. This is an endeavor reflecting his inspiration and a milestone of sorts, in an unstated but visible and audible passing-of-the-torch moment for the current team of talented artisans on and off stage.

• Cast standouts: Genesis Kaeo as the indefatigable Jack Kelly, leader of the “newsies,” or paper carriers and hawkers; Lennox Kepa as Crutchie, Kelly’s loyal sidekick; Seanalei Nishimura, as an ascending news reporter and the show’s love interest; Devon Nekoba, a very familiar stage and radio talent (dating back to the Mr. B. era), for his multiple roles and costuming and, yes, even wigs; Kalani Hicks, as publisher Joseph Pulitzer, the villain of the piece; Alison Maldonado, as diva Medda Lark, in her pink feather boa; and Tom Holowach, as President Roosevelt, in a late-in-the-show cameo.

• The offstage movers and shapers are the unsung heroes of this venture, guiding the cast from the get-go. Director Mary Chesnut Hicks and choreographer Ahnya Chang are co-captain visionaries, inspiring the troupers and the other team techies to flourish (loved the snappy tap-dancing and aerial dynamic leaps);  Clarke Bright, musical director, hits all the right notes with a 10-member orchestra, perhaps the largest number of musicians in community theater, in an expanded “pit” that is now visible, not hidden ‘neath the stage;  Roslyn Catracchia, vocal director, is new to the IABK ‘ohana and shares her mana‘o beautifully. And kudos to set designer DeAnne Kennedy, whose functional and practical two-pieces of matching architectural edifices with ladders and stairways that serve as dorms or second-tier sing-and-dance space, all moveable and magical in ever-changing motifs, the best set in local theater in a long time; lighting design by Janine Myers, sound design by Steven Nelson, costume design by Anna Foster (smart palate for the youths, comprising caps, vests and trousers in era-appropriate beiges and browns, with a green vest to isolate Jack Kelly from the corps); hair and make-up design by Kevin Murata, and props design by Annie Yoshida embellish the entire experience.

The best-known tune in the show is “Seize the Day,” performed by the ensemble in both Acts 1 and 2, delivering an expected punch. There’s strength in numbers, too, like “The World Will Know,” a pledge of power, though the wistful, quiet moments, like Jack Kelly’s anthem of his Sante Fe dream in the opening moments of the show, and Crutchie’s symbolic and earnest revelation to his Jack, in his “Letter From the Refuge.”

Finally, a Bright Kid show always provide a few quirky asides. Like, Bright family members always wind up as pit musicians (Lynelle Bright, Chris Bright), onstage performers (Drew Bright as Specs, Caity Bright as Hannah) or committee volunteers, like costume construction members Jodi Bright Stein and Paraluman Stice-Durkin); plus kinfolk from recent productions (Azaliah Kekuna as Mike, yes, a girl playing a boy); she’s the sister of Ezekiel Kekuna, an ex-Bright Kid wrapping up his gig as Young Simba in Broadway’s “The Lion King.” These family ties often bring a twinkle to the wrinkle of an all-in-the-‘ohana tradition…

The show opened last Friday (Aug. 9), with performances continuing at 4:30 p.m. today (Aug. 11), and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24, with matinees at 4 p.m. Aug.  18, and 25.

And that’s Show Biz…

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‘Newsies’

What: A Disney musical, presented by the I’m a Bright Kids Foundation, featuring music by Alan Menkin, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and book by Harvey Fierstein;  based on a 1999 Disney film by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White, inspired by a real-life strike by a rag-tag group of newspaper carriers, who challenged a powerhouse journalist,Joseph Pulitzer.

Where: Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College

When:  Remaining shows at 4 p.m. today (Aug. 11) and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24, and matinees at 4 p.m. Aug 18, and 25

Tickets:  premium, $44; adults 18 to 64, $35; seniors 65+, students 12-17, military with ID, $29; children 6 to 11, $24; at  https://cur8.com/24380/project/85292 or www.imabrightkid.org/tickets  …

Today – Aug. 10 – marks the first anniversary of my hospitalization in Queen’s Medical Center. I spent 10 days in the hospital before being released Aug. 19.

My wife Vi insisted I go to the ER to seek treatment and establish a diagnosis. I had developed fever, chills, lost my appetite, and did little else but sleep.

A year later, the  memories remain vivid:

• It was the first time I rode an ambulance, its siren wailing all the way to Queen’s ER.
• It was my first hospital stay, and my team of doctors discovered I had a problematic gall bladder, with its abscess spreading and contaminating my liver. The medics wanted to operate to remove the bladder, but noticed my medical files indicated I had minor heart issues, so instructed me to see my cardiologist first.
• It was my introduction to the ubiquitous open-back hospital gown. Goodbye, modesty; welcome, a chilly rear wind.
• It was my first experience with hospital food. Truly, much of it was initially bland (salt-free, tasteless broth, Jello), but the burger sandwich midway through my hospitalization was delish. Because you need to order breakfast, lunch and dinner – with many items not allowable for my situation. I was surprised you could order a meal any time of the day, according to needs.

• Nights were wicked; difficult to sleep; nurses (bless ‘em) routinely checking on me, monitoring my pee, taking the plastic bedside urinal and flushing its contents into the toilet, and repeatedly returned to dispose. Temperature and blood pressure checks were constant, disrupting sleep.
• Overnight,  the hospital was chilly and cold, so I regularly asked for two extra blankets. Just a tip. And on two successive nights, the fire alarm rang at 2 a.m. No fire; but an errant alarm.
• The lingering memory: the TVs in the hospital were all tuned in to the inferno of the out-of-control Lahaina wildfires; the orangey flames were frightening, glowing like lava nighttime.
• On Aug. 13, my birthday, a nurse brought me a Jello cup with a candle stuck in; guess my data indicated  my birthdate.
• I had two roommates over the two weeks. The first, a quiet dude, left midweek; the next occupant was loud, always on the phone doing business, had grandkids who visited, but relocated to another room.
• Hospital protocol meant no shower or bath, just infant-type wipes, but oversized. Nurses did the body scrubbing; yeah, down there, too.
• I could walk to the toilet, for No. 2, but my tubes and the wheeled rack accompanied me. Felt there were some things you should solo, if you could.
• At the least, tubes attached to me  dripped insulin. But along the way, my docs inserted two additional tubes into my body, one to drain the nasty gall bladder, the other to remove gook from my liver, both with  mini-drainage pouches that came home with me. Sleeping with this tangle of tubes and pouches was not pleasant.
• A day or two before my release, a doctor brought me a walker, to practice walking in the hallways. I later dubbed it Mr. Walker, my walking mate at home and on outings, and it accompanied me to New York this past June, its first-ever but my umpteenth visit to take in Broadway shows. To friends and others, trust me, a walker becomes you best buddy.
• Throughout my stay, Vi opted to get a cab ride to and from the hospital, linking up with a sweet, dedicated driver every day. He’d pick her up to go home, too, and process continued for 10 days. She’d charge my iPhone and laptop overnight, and deliver both the next morn, along with the daily newspaper, enabling me to chat and check on developing news. Oh, and deliver clothing as needed.
• Finally, friends and colleagues said post-surgery removal of the gall bladder might have two major after-effects when you are back home: diarrhea or constipation; I was lucky, I had neither…

Parting thoughts: I’m still wondering and hoping if I’ll ever be able to manage to walk without Mr. Walker’s support, since I still have mobility and balance issues. Hope the intent of sharing my experiences openly might perhaps help you if and when you have a dilemma like mine. Mahalo for listening …

And that’s Show Biz…

The Wicked Queen will be stalking Leeward Community Theatre this fall.

Translation: After a six-year hiatus, the LCC will present a mainstage production – the late Lisa Matsumoto’s pidgin English musical “Once Upon One Time” – in November.

Matsumoto’s popular musicals spotlight fractured fairy tale characters, set in the islands, speaking and singing the local lingo. The beloved characters include the Mean Mongoose, as well as the sacred storybook figures like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Hansel and Gretel, with island inflections and reinterpretations.

And the Wicked Queen, a role originated and portrayed by Matsumoto in the early heyday of the genre, featured her words plus music by collaborator Roslyn Catracchia.

“Once Upon One Time” is part of a classic trilogy including “Once Upon One Noddah Time” “Happily Eva Afta.”

Playdates will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2, and  2 p.m. Nov. 2 and 3.

Auditions will be held in Leeward’s large dance studio from noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 24 and 25, and from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Aug 29.

Callbacks will be from 6 to 10:30 Aug. 30 and rehearsals start Sept. 3 and continue from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, leading up to opening night.

To sign up for tryouts and time slots, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084DADA622ABF85-50535427-once#/

A tribute to Gabby Pahinui

Waikiki Beach Walk, in the heart of Waikiki, will present the return of Makalauna, a music festival and celebration honoring the late ki hoalu (slack key) virtuoso Gabby Pahinui (formal name, Charles Phillip Pahinui), from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Waikiki Beach Walk Plaza Stage.

A star-studded roster of slack key notables will perform and members of the Pahinui ‘ohana, including grandson, Kunia Galdeira, will be present.

Kimo Kahoanu will emcee.

The timetable:

4:30 to 5 p.m. – Protocol and opening ceremonial tribute, featuring Blaine Kia, cultural and entertainment director of Waikiki Beach Walk; hula by Hālau Ka Waikahe Lani Mālie and Hālau Kahulaliwai; lei-draping of Pahinui statue.

5 to 8 p.m., musical tributes by Bobby Moderow Jr., Del Beazley & Friends, Greg Sardinha & Friends;  jam session with Kunia Galdeira.

Admission is free…

The Lion remains king of the weekly Broadway grosses

 “The Lion King” still has the loudest roar in New York.

“Wicked” is No.2, “Hamilton” is No 3.  Both are long-running hits on the Great White Way. “Hell’s Kitchen” is struggling at No. 4 trying to elevate its stake, in the week ending Aug. 4.

The Top 10:

1—”The Lion King,” $2.379 million.

2—”Wicked,” $2.191 million.

3—”Hamilton,” $1.954 million.

4—”Hell’s Kitchen,” $1.604 million.

5—”Aladdin,” $1.547 million.

6—”Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club,” $1.508 million.

7—“The Outsiders,” $1.488 million.

8—”Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $1.363 million

9—”MJ the Musical,” $1.353 million.

10—“The Wiz,” $1.311 million.

The complete list of Broadway shows, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…

“Newsies,” a Broadway musical based on a Disney film, will open Friday (Aug. 9) at Paliku Theatre on the Windward Community College campus.

The I’m a Bright Kid Foundation is presenting the show, staged on Broadway in 2012, which features music by Alan Menkin, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and book by Harvey Fierstein. It’s based on a 1999 Disney film by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White.

Known for its vigor and vitality, the plot features disgruntled newspaper carriers – “newsies” – who strike against powerful newspaper publishers in New York. The story is based on real-life newsies, circa 1899, challenging Joseph Pulitzer of The World and Randolph Hearst of The Journal over wages, or lack thereof, amid rising subscription prices.

 The scrappy newsies  go on a two-week walk-out and gain the attention of a newspaper reporter who writes an article on the conflict and helps the youths publish their own news bulletin.

Genesis Kaeo portrays the key newspaper hawker named Jack Kelly, who leads his scrappy colleagues comprising orphans and run-a-ways, whose plight earns the support of Katherine, the journalist portrayed by Seanalei Nishimura.

The show has been praised for its rousing dancing and its theme of David vs. Goliath – the little guy taking on the big corporate publishers – and boasts a soundtrack favored by youths, notably the contagious “Seize the Day.”

Directed by Mary Chesnut Hicks and choreographed by Ahnya Chang,  the show features musical direction by Clarke Bright and vocal direction by Roslyn Catracchia.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9, 10, 15, 16,17, 22, 23, and 24, with matinees at 4 p.m. Aug. 11, 18, and 25.

Tickets: premium, $44; adults 18 to 64, $35; seniors 65+, students 12-17, military with ID, $29; children 6 to11, $24; at  https://cur8.com/24380/project/85292 or www.imabrightkid.org/tickets  …

Jazz quartet welcomes back drummer

The Honolulu Jazz Quartet will welcome back Adam “Von Baron,” its former drummer of 15 years, in a gig from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Honolulu Beerworks, 328 Cooke St.

Von Baron relocated to Japan but will be on vacation here with his family.

John Kolivas, leader of HJQ, will perform on bass with Jimmy Funai on guitar…

And that’s Show Biz…

Janel Parrish, an island singer and actress originally from Kaneohe, will make her debut at Blue Note Hawaii on Sept. 27 and 28.

Showtimes are at 6:30 and 9 p.m. both days; doors open at 5 and 8:30 p.m.

Parrish is perhaps best known locally for her role as Young Cosette, in “Les Miserables.”  At 6 and a child actor, she did the role at Blaisdell Concert Hall with a traveling company, then also performed at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway followed by  a national tour of the show. Her signature tune then was “Castle on a Cloud.”

At age 9, she saw a performance of  “The Phantom of the Opera” at Blaisdell and learned every song by the Christine character from listening to the score in her parents’ car.

Because of her keen interest in show biz, her parents – Joanne and Mark Parrish – relocated the family to Burbank, Calif.,  so she could seek a career in entertainment.

She since has logged a  varied and vast career on television, in films, and on stage. She was a fixture on the TV mystery-drama, “Pretty Little Liars” and its spin-off, “Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists,”  as well as the film series, “To All the Boys.”

With her adoration of the musical comedy genre, it would be interesting if she includes Broadway hits in her concerts at the Outrigger Waikiki resort.

Parrish married chemical engineer Chris Long in ceremonies at Kualoa Ranch on Sept. 8, 2018.

Tickets: $55 for premium seats, $45 for loge seating, at www.bluenotehawaii.com or (808) 777-4890 …

Chicago heading to Maui, Waikiki

Chicago, easily one of America’s legendary bands, will give concerts in two outdoor venues on two islands in September.

Maui playdate is 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at the A&B Amphitheatre at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center.

Honolulu welcomes Chicago at 7 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell.

Henry Kapono, surely Hawaii’s most active musical act, is the opening attraction for both sites. Thus, it’s a solid double-bill.

Tickets are scarce and frightingly costly. General admission on both islands begin in the $80 range, with premium seats a couple of hundred dollars apiece, but possibly  nearly $3,000 at the Shell.

If you can secure seats from a local vendor, you’re lucky. However, middle-man sellers command top-tier prices, so beware and know what you’re buying…

And that’s Show Biz…