Kudos to Irenio and Lilian Paulo, who recently marked their 70th wedding anniversary and 90 years of life together, in a celebration at the Kahaluu Pond on the windward side.
You know ‘em better as Rene and Akemi Paulo, veteran entertainers on the show biz scene at a time when talent mattered a lot. He’s always been a wizard on keyboards and she was his trusty sidekick singer.
Rene and Akemi Paulo
Their daughter, Kathy Paulo-Hirai, noted in a recent Facebook post, that the ‘ohana gathered to toast and reflect on their rich lives and contributions over the decades. This, of course, has always been a musical family, with the likes of Michael Paulo (a stellar jazz performer himself) among the clan carrying on the show biz franchise.
An astounding and inspiring photo recap of the hoopla is posted online. Though both Rene and Akemi now are part of the wheelchair generation, it’s quite obvious they are a picture of enduring life and love. Belated congrats to the couple, their kids and their grandkids. You don’t commonly find this kind of bonding. Oh, and a belated birthday shout-out to Rene, who just turned 91. …
Jerome Koko
A Makaha Christmas
Add the Makaha Sons, led by Jerome Koko, to the roster of acts staging a holiday concert.
“Makaha Kalikimaka” unfolds at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and 18 at the Hawaii Theatre.
Guest acts will include Iolani and Natalie Ai Kamau’u, Marie Raquel Higa (aka Rocky Brown) and Robi Kahakalau.
In this day of multi-tasking, how many hats do you wear?
Not referring to a baseball cap, a straw or fabric hat, or a lauhala hat.
Was wondering if you have multi-talents, hobbies or activities, like gardening, photography, baby-sitting or cooking?
List two or three “hats” you don.
I’ll go first, to set the example: 1 – writer, columnist; 2 – crafter, creating notecards and holiday-related lapel pins; 3 –board member, I’m a Bright Kid foundation.
Diamond Head Theatre’s “Oliver!” boasts a girl , Caris Leong, portraying Oliver Twist. Talk about a surprising twist.
And Jeff Andrews delivers a rousing and riveting performance as Fagin, a scoundrel by trade and a leader at heart, in shaping the dichotomy of this rarely performed Dickensian chestnut. He’s a baddie with a good heart.
Lionel Bart’s creation, rarely revived, perhaps is best remembered for a splendid 1968 film version that brought Bart’s book, music and lyrics to life, via a cache of tunes including “Consider Yourself,” “Where Is Love,” “I’d Do Anything,” and “As Long as He Needs Me.”
This one has survived the test of time.
Caris Leong, front and center, is Oliver in “Oliver!” at Diamond Head Theatre.
And yes, a classic line, “Please sir, I want some more,” uttered by the titular character seeking more (food) in the orphanage, reflects a somber tale of mistreatment of poor orphans by the wealthy based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel,“Oliver Twist.”
Jeff Andrews as Fagin
The musical magnifies brightness despite the darkness of Victorian misdeeds of both Mr. Bumble (Christian Clayborne) and Widow Corney (Lindsay Rabe) in a presiding climate of control and power.
The cadre of youths, propelled into pickpocketing under the tutelage of Fagin, a criminal, is essential to endure in a time where goodness manages to succeed despite prevailing despair.
As directed and choreographed by John Rampage, ‘Oliver!’ is an unexpected triumph in these troubled pandemic times, with drama on both sides of the footlights.
The restriction of coronavirus had protocols throughout the rehearsal period; seating had to be shuffled, from full-house reservations altered to resolve socially distanced policies, meaning empty seats between patrons through the show’s finale this Sunday (Nov. 7). I managed to buy tickets for an add-on show this past Wednesday (Nov. 3), which quickly sold out.
Leong, who was one of the Matildas in DHT’s “Matilda” musical several years ago, is a perky and nimble Oliver who easily could pass for a boy urchin. You really accept her for her performance, and gender never is an issue.
The cast is peopled with delightful actors with storytelling skills. The Artful Dodger (Rocco Bechiran, a credible gangleader with spunk), Bill Sikes (Jake Wolf, a perfect villain who lacks ethics) and Nancy (Kim Anderson, sweet-voiced but tough ).
It’s great to have an orchestra combo live, instead of pre-recorded), with maestro Phil Hidalgo at the helm. The sound of music — live! — is back.
Dawn Oshima’s set and lighting design are more functional than fancy, with a central catwalk/bridge with arch, accented with a pair of staircases on both ends. It works very nicely for the flow of traffic.
And Karen G. Wolfe’s costumes reflect the Dickensian times, with a flair of color for women in dresses, a lovely long overcoat for Fagin to prance and preach, an array of hats and shawls, and appropriately drab workhouse duds for the orphan gang.
And hurrah! Consider yourself lucky because the playbill is back, so pick one up inside the main lobby, before heading for your seat – you’ll need to know who does what.
Tickets will be scarce, if available, so check the website, www.diamondheadtheatre.com
Matthew Sato, co-starring as Kai Kamealoha in Disney+’s “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.” — streaming towards its 10th and finale episode — has joined the cast of Peacock’s revival of “Saved by the Bell,” premiering its second season Nov. 24
Sato will be seen as Gil, a handsome and somewhat nerdy student council vice president on “Bell,” who catches the eye of Daisy, played by Haskiri Velazquez, as fellow newbies in the hallways of Bayside High. It will be a recurring role for the Mililani youth.
Matthew Sato
Thus, Sato is becoming somewhat a junior king of sit-com reboots. On “Doogie,” he is the older brother of Lahela, the 16-year-old Harvard Medical School graduate who is a youth medic portrayed by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, aka Doogie. The series is based in Hawaii.
In “Bell,” Sato will join returning original cast members Elizabeth Berkley Lauren, Mario Lopez, John Michael Higgins, Mitchell Hoog, Alycia Pascual-Pena, Belmon Cameli and Dexter Daren, along with other characters, set in California. …
Bruno Mars
A Sonic boom ahead
Noteworthy on the Silk Sonic front: the duo comprised of Hawaii’s Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, will drop a new single, “Smokin’ Out the Window,” on Friday (Nov. 5). It’ll be the third track released from “An Evening With Silk Sonic,” not yet available.
The album – teased by two previous singles, “Leave the Door Open” last March and “Skate” in July – was due to be released in 2022, but now is expected to arrive earlier, on Nov. 12. Thus, it appears that there will be some Sonic booms in this year’s Christmas stockings. …
John Valentine
Valentine with strings
Johnny Valentine, who is the uncle of the aforementioned Bruno Mars, will concertize at 7:30 pm. Saturday (Nov. 6) at Medici’s at Manoa Marketplace.
The evening, themed “Songs With Strings,” will feature the Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner with guest musicians Daniel Bayot, Valentine’s son, an Emmy Award winner, on cello; Duane Padilla, on viola; and Lauren Holt, on violin.
Dad will also feature another son, Jesse Douglas, on percussion.
The event is sold out …
Off and on switch buttons
That delayed and delayed again Daryl Hall & Oates concert –the most recent rescheduled date was Nov. 13 at Blaisdell Center -– has been canceled again, along with a companion Maui Arts and Cultural Center performance.
The act, known for such treasures as “Maneater,” “Private Eyes” and “Out of Touch,” had sold outs scheduled but decided that a lack of logistical planning time triggered yet another cancellation. Refunds are available at the point of purchase. …
But Filipino American comedian Jo Koy will proceed with his rescheduled gig, a sold-out three-nighter Nov. 26-28 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. …
Comedian Frank DeLima will return to Blue Note Hawaii for a lone show at 7 p.m. Dec. 15.
It likely will be his last appearance till next year.
“I wanted to do just one performance,” he said, declining a twofer for that date. Normally, DeLima would have been doing a yuletide show at the Pagoda Restaurant, but the pandemic has put a lid on such shows.
Frank DeLima
Thus, if you want to see and hear his fabled “Numbah One Day of Christmas,” his local-style takeoff of “The 12 Days of Christmas,” this will be the only occasion he will perform it. However, with pandemic protocols, he likely cannot haul up 12 participants from the audience to complete his zany tableau.
And yes, his lighted Christmas tree outfit will come out from storage for his “Filipino Christmas” parody based on “Sleigh Bells.”
By showtime, DeLima also hopes to shape a routine, with or without music, about the controversies and challenges of the see-sawing changes in the coronavirus rulebook.
Services for DJ Pratt, the guitarist of Kalapana who died Sept. 9, will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 20 at Kawaiaha‘o Church, according to bandmate Gaylord Holomalia. “I’m sorry it took so long and I didn’t have answers to people asking me about (services) because my main focus was getting a date.” Kahu Kenneth Makuakane had to deal with coronavirus protocols, still in place.
Pandemic protocols will be in place, with a crowd limit and mask requirements. …
