Jack Cione, veteran show biz entrepreneur, earlier nightclub operator and lately known as the director of the “Follies” musical revues, has cancelled a planned cruise to Tahiti, with good reason.
A week ago, he blacked out in the lobby of the Arcadia, where he resides, falling and breaking two ribs and bruising his face.
“I was rushing to go back to my room, to get my glasses to go to lunch, and I blacked out,” Cione said. “Lucky I didn’t have my glasses.”
Aides helped him up, and he was rushed to the ER for a checkup. Currently, he’s taped around his chest, tending to the sore ribs, and under a doctor watch.
At 95, he’s still active, but slowing down, and this fall has altered his outlook and plans.
He canceled tickets to Manoa Valley Theatre’s “Cabaret” and Diamond Head Theatre’s “Anything Goes.” Too bad; these are his kind of shows, with lots of dancing.
He used to rely on a cane, to hobble down the lobby to catch rides to dinners or lunch. “Now, I use a walker,” he said.
He had ordered, and already is enjoying, a new chair that does more than recline. “It lifts you up,” said Cione.
But since his mishap, he’s ordered — and is anxiously awaiting delivery in the weeks ahead — a scooter to ease his mobility situation.
For three years, the pandemic wiped out his plans for a Broadway visit.
“I guess I won’t make my last trip to see shows,” he said, reassessing his situation.
But with a pause, he opined: “But the scooter folds up and fits in a bag for carrying aboard the plane.”
So perhaps a New York trip still might be possible. …
Bruno Mars, bartender?
So Bruno Mars had three concerts in Boston recently, but folks there were abuzz about his unexpected bartending ahead of his last performance.
Yep, Mars dropped by the Envoy Hotel’s Lookout Rooftop bar, to pour dozens of drinks for eager, lucky fans. See, he’s co-owner of the SelvaRey Rum, a luxury rum, so this was a commercial tie-in, of sorts. Seems, too, that SelvaRey rum had a role in the music video of Mars’s “Leave the Door Open” video, as part of his Silk Sonic partnership with Anderson .Paak. …
By the way, Mars continues to ban cell phones at his shows, partly to maintain an orderly performance and also to prevent and curb those YouTube clips of his performances. Yeah, a disappointing nuisance for loyal fans, who truly want a keepsake of the Hawaii-born trouper’s lively presence. …
‘Jersey Boys’ finally opening
After nearly a three-year delay, “Jersey Boys” will open a two-week run at 7:30 p.m. today (Sept. 13) p.m. at Blaisdell Concert. The production continues through Sept. 25.
The popular Broadway musical is a jukebox filled with signature hits of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, whose biography frames this production. It’s the second of four Broadway in Hawaii attractions.
Lead players, subject to change, are Jon Hacker as Valli, Eric Chambliss as Bob Gaudio, Devon Goffman as Tommy DeVito and Matt Faucher as Nick Massi.
Surely, you know their hits: “Sherry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “My Eyes Adored You,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Oh What A Night,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and “Working My Way Back To You.”
The playdates:
Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 7:30pm
Thursday, Sept.15 at 7:30pm
Friday, Sept. 16 at 8pm
Saturday, Sept. 17 at 2 & 8pm
Sunday, Sept. 18 at 1 & 6:30pm
Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 7:30pm
Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7:30pm
Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7:30pm
Friday, Sept. 23 at 8pm
Saturday, Sept. 24 at 2 & 8pm
Sunday, Sept. 25 at 1 & 6:30pm
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com or the Blaisdell box office; those with previously purchased tickets should visit ticketmaster.com to confirm the rescheduled show date; original tickets will be accepted at the new performance. …
And that’s Show Biz. …
Hi Wayne,
Well hope that Jack Cione will mend ok. Gee getting old is a pain- right! good for Bruno banning the phones. Hope you get to see this version of :Jersey Boys.
Aloha Dolores