PANDEMIC SHUTS DOWN DHT’S ‘ELF’

Looks like the Grinch has shut down and canceled Diamond Head Theatre’s holiday hit, “Elf, the Musical,” last night (Dec. 22) and tonight (Dec. 23), which were to be the final two performances.

OK, it was the pandemic that shuttered the pair of shows, an abrupt and unfortunate circumstance which saddened and distressed director Greg Zane.

“Extremely upsetting,” he said in an online post. “Not how we imagined this joyful production would finish its run.  As some know, I invest my whole heart and soul into a production; that’s what I taught. That’s what I’ve learned from the artists that I admire and that have mentored me. If not, then why do it?”

The villain was the pandemic – though specifics on whether it was Delta variant or the newer Omicron threat that led management to put an early end to the run, in the name of safety.

The theater’s notice to ticket holders for either show – me included – disclosed that the cancellation was “due to notice of a positive COVID case here at DHT,” with no other specifics.

As far as we know, state leaders like Gov. David Ige or Mayor Rick Blandiardi had not issued new measures to shut down the shows.

Most recent alerts forewarned the growing influx of Omicron cases, but the protocols alluded to social distancing, hand-washing, sanitizing and vaccination including booster shots. Caution and avoidance of “large” crowds had been issued, but not monitored or forced.

These abrupt cancellations are hitting events nationally; a cluster of Broadway musicals, including “Hamilton,” has had temporary closures, and even the legendary Radio City Music Hall Rockettes Christmas show has been shuttered due to COVID. Several NFL games have had to reschedule, since football players have contracted the virus.

With Christmas and New Year gatherings and celebrations imminent, folks should maintain awareness and take precautions to avoid the virus. …

Piano and popovers

Elsewhere, things are looking up. Pianist Noly Paa has opened at Azure Restaurant, at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, where he serenades from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. today (Dec. 24) and tomorrow (Dec. 23) and again Dec. 29, 30 and 31. …

Not certain if Paa has been reinstated at the Sunday brunches at the Halekulani Hotel, which have been resumed without fanfare. But forget about going this weekend or next – it’s sold out. Understandably, it’s Waikiki’s best buffet (like the normal days, with self-served goodies to select). And home of those yummy signature popovers. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

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