“Dear Edwina Jr.,” a musical about the joys of growing up, will be staged by the I’m a Bright Kid Foundation, at 7 p.m. July 15 and 16 and at 2 p.m. July 16 and 17 at Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College.
The show is a climax to IABK’s Summer Musical Theatre Arts Education Program, where island youths have been attending workshops and classes on the multi layers of singing, acting, and dancing in a musical show.
“Edwina Jr.” focuses on the adventures of a plucky advice-giver, Edwina Spoonapple, as she directs her neighborhood kids in a series of live production numbers to be featured in her latest weekly advice show.
Cleo (full first name, Cleonice) Hamm portrays Edwina; a Bright grandson, Drew Bright, plays Scott Kunkle, a neighbor boy, who is Edwina’s love interest.
A video-on-demand component is available for those unable to attend the live performances.
During summer vacation, students have been getting lessons on the stagecraft of theater, so the shows are an opportunity to use skills acquired during the workshops.
Production numbers reflect positive friendship wisdom ranging from making new allies to trying new food, told in tunes.
Tickets are $23 for adults 21 or older, $18 for seniors 65 and older plus students and active-duty military, and $13 for children 3-12. Tickets for video element are available online www.imabrightkid.org/tickets
The program is supported in part by a grant from the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation. The summer activities draw students from all over the islands.
The pandemic has sidelined IABK to stage traditional musicals for nearly three seasons, so “Edwina Jr.” is the first theatrical endeavor performing before a live audience since 2019.
Selleck remembers Doversola
Tom Selleck, TV’s original Thomas Magnum, has sent organizers of the funeral for casting director Margaret Doversola, a tribute message about Doversola.
Doversola was a secretary to the producer of CBS’ “Magnum,” which aired for eight years from 1980 to 1988, and Doversola became the show’s casting director.
“Margaret was much loved and respected by all of us in our ‘Magnum’ family… as well as the rest of the Hawaii entertainment community, and beyond,” said Selleck. “She was a member of our family from day one, throughout our eight years, and her Casting Director role helped shape the success of the show. Much love, and aloha, Margaret.”
Selleck was a Hawai residenti throughout the run of the procedural. He now stars as the police commissioner of CBS’ “Blue Bloods.” …
Other show biz deaths
Facebook chatter indicates that veteran and beloved jazz pianist Johnny Todd has died in Los Angeles, though not firmly confirmed by family sources. Todd was widely known as the musical director for Don Ho, for nearly three decades, in notable gigs at the Las Vegas Hilton in the 1970s and in most of Ho’s prime anchor spots ranging from Duke Kahanamoku’s to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Dome. He is survived by daughter Shay and was the husband of jazz singer Ethel Azama, who preceded him in death. …
Paul Brown, the celebrated hairstylist with deep Hawaii roots, died in Los Angeles on July 7 at age 74. He had been diagnosed with. Glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, according to friend Willy Falk, a Broadway performer and Punahou grad, now living in New York. “Paul was well known as hairdresser, salon-owner and for his line of eponymous products,” said Falk. Brown had a career in hairstyling and hair and skin care products, bearing his name. He utilized island resources to create his hair, body, and makeup products.
Falk also said Linda Kidani, has died – date unknown – at a care home in Kaneohe. She was a veteran performer with the Opera Players of Hawaii, a vocalist at Central Union Church, and an investor in “The Producers,” a Tony-winning musical on Broadway. Survivors include her daughter Kaiulani Shinsato. Services are scheduled for July 17, specifics unknown. …
And that’s Show Biz. …