Author: Wayne Harada

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TAG TAPS 3 WILSONS, 1 CATALUNA

TAG  — The Actors Group – has announced its 2025-26 season at the Brad Powell Theatre at Dole Cannery.

TAG will continue its cycle of  August Wilson plays – three titles are on the agenda this coming season – with two world premieres plus one Hawaii premiere. The island launch is the first by a work by popular island playwright Lee Cataluna,  which makes its world debut next spring.

The slate:

  • “The Piano Lesson,” a Wilson drama, Sept. 5 to 21 2025, directed by  Shervelle Hanna.
  • ‘Higher! Higher!,” a musical by Tom Cooper,  Oct. 31 to Nov. 16, 2025, directed by Brad Powell.
  • “Seven Guitars,” another Wilson entry, Jan. 9 to 25, 2026.
  • “Fire Pit,” by Cataluna, March 6 to  22, 2026, in a world premiere directed by Betty Burdick.
Lee Cataluna
  • “Fences,” the final Wilson drama, May 1 to 17,  2026.
  • “The Lake Effect,” by Rajiv Joseph, June 26 to July 12, 2026, in its Hawaii premiere.

Details on the season’s plays to be announced.

Season tickets will be available later.

Information: (808) 741-4699 or www.taghawaii.net

Cazimero’s birthday bash a halau benefit

Robert Cazimero will stage a birthday event from 5 p.m. today (March 19) through Sunday (March 23) at Chef Chai’s.

Robert Cazimero

His serenades, from the grand piano, will feature periodic hula from his usual pair of dancers, with other impromptu participation from hula troupers among the diners.

Cazimero’s actual birthday is tomorrow (March 20), when he turns 76. The event is a fundraiser for his Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, which is headed to Hilo next month to compete in the Merrie Monarch Festival.

The last time kumu hula Cazimero and his male dancers ventured to the Merrie Monarch competition in April 2015, they copped first place in the kane division, as well as best-overall laurels.

Cazimero participates in the hula competish once a decade, so this year is the timetable for that visit.

Reservations for the birthday celebration is $159, at www.opentable.com/r/chef-chai-honolulu …

Broadway grosses, for week ending March 16

George Clooney

Though “Othello” continues to top the Broadway charts – indeed, “the play’s the thing” – George Clooney’s debut in “Good Night and Good Morning” drama proved to be quite a draw, and clearly means star power works. It’s the No. 3 attraction, on the Great White Way.

The  Top 10

1—“Othello,” $2.824 million

2—“Wicked,” $2.490  million

3—“Good Night and Good Morning,” $2.358 million

4—“Hamilton,” $2.009 million

5—“The Lion King,” $1.994 million

6—“Glengarry Glen Ross,” $1.907 million

7—“The Outsiders,” $1.500 million

8—“Aladdin,” $1.312 million

9—“The Great Gatsby,” $1.260 million

10—“MJ the Musical,” $1.248 million

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…

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WUN TON, CHICKEN, AND MORE…

Zippy’s wun ton min, a mainstay on the daily menu, remains a valid lunch choice.

It’s been so long since I’ve ordered it — last time, perhaps three years ago— but I was at the Makiki Zippy’s  the other day and opportunity knocked.

At $11.15, the small wun ton order is still affordable with no frills.

The presentation remains the same: Saimin noodles and wun ton dumplings — four or five pieces — swimming in the broth. There  were two  slivers of  pink and white fish cake, the size of quarters, plus a couple of pieces of egg.  The stem of  spinach in the soup was a great addition.

Zippy’s photol: note char siu pieces, top.

However, on this day, the char siu pork was a wash-out. There seemed to be) single piece dissected into four teeny shreds, and I guess the days of scoring three of four actual wedges of char siu are long gone. Guess char siu prices are high and not generously served.

My photo: note char siu shreds, top left.

For proof, Zippy’s online wun ton photo, date unknown, displays actual char siu pieces; my photo shows the char siu flaw.

Good to know that the serving of wun ton min has 460 calories, but not sure if the total is higher with the side of mustard and shoyu added. Further, there seems to be no formal right or wrong, when it comes to spelling wun ton min. Take your pick: won ton min, wun tun mein, wonton min.

Signage of the times

You’ve seen the makeshift sign at one of the busiest corridors in Waikiki, where Kalakaua Avenue merges with Kapiolani Boulevard. You know the forthcoming drill.

It’s already a hot traffic spot, even without a current tenant at the site, so imagine the anticipation of the snarling traffic when Chick-fil-A roosts at the prime triangular corner where a  low-profile coffee house was the last occupant. Earlier, Hard Rock Café settled into that fabled turf but  pioneering tenants like Kau Kau Korner (which boasted a Crossroads of the Pacific landmark sign) and Coco’s Coffee House prevailed back in the day, with no strain in traffic. Must be there were fewer drivers and cars then, but these were establishments that locals flocked to, particularly after movies and Waikiki  nightclub shows, for late night snacks.

But now, there’s a clear worrisome issue. Whoever approved this Chick-fil-A location didn’t learn about the chaos of the chicken fast food eatery opening on Beretania Street, where Burger King was located, across the street of McDonald’s.

In Waikiki,  there’s no clear resolution to the anticipated mess; one way in, one way out? No left turns into or out from the property.  Is there a plan, or is someone even interested in the potential headache?

Is the chicken worth the pilikia? Just asking.

Sorabol is history

Fans of Korean food should already know that Sorabol, a mecca for kal bi and grill chicken for four decades on Rycroft Street off Keeaumoku Street, had been at its “new” site,  Pagoda Hotel/Restaurant, for a short spell. Haven’t heard if Sorabol has landed a new location, so it’s the end of the road for the family-run, 24/7 Korean restaurant.

Pagoda is part of the Highgate hotel chain and clearly will undergo a makeover. Highgate already operates the Alohilani  resort  (the former Pacific Beach Hotel) and will soon open the new Romer House Waikiki (the ex-Ambassador Hotel). In July, the Kaimana Beach Hotel will join the Highgate brand.

It’s quite certain that new dining spots will evolve at all new sites

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LISTEN UP: SOME WORDS ON ‘GREASE’

Even before it opens tonight (March 14) at Diamond Head Theatre, “Grease” will add three more performances on April 18, 19 and 20 at the tail end of the original run.

“Grease,” the stage musical, is about Rhydell High’s Class of 1959, with all the frills of the era, from hot rods to duck-tailed hair for the dudes and gum-chewing box-soxers doing the hand jive. A period piece, yes, laden with nostalgia

But some cautionary expectations, please, so listen up. The play is not the movie, and vice versa. So get famiiar with the boundaries.

The original stage show, which opened in 1972 on Broadway, should not be confused with the film version which opened during the summer of 1978. The movie surely cemented the popularity of  John Travolta  as Danny  and Olivia Newtown-John as Sandy. And put the show on the map.

The Rydell High teens in the stage musical, “Grease,” opening tonight at DHT>

The now familiar title song was not  in the score of the play. It was a priority special insert, by Barry Gibb and performed in the film score by Frankie Valli, and  the hit song fueled the catch phrase,“Grease is the word,” still uttered decades later.

Some shared tidbits about three other tunes added to the film – that you won’t hear on stage.

Three other titles, added to the film version, provided those romantic flurries and also a solid sliver of rock, which enriched the songscape of the movie soundtrack. You know ‘em well: “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “You’re the One that I Want” (both written by John Farrar for the film and “Sandy” by Louis St. Louis and Scott Simon.

So, what’s in the stage score? A few titles you’ll recognize, including “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightning,” “We Go Together,” “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee.”  Oh, and that hand-clapper, “Born to Hand Jive.”

DHT’s cast features  Cameron Scot as Danny Zuko, Sophia Ysrael as Sandy Dumbrowski, Jody Bill as Betty Rizzo,  Alexandria Zinov as Marty, Parker Kilkenny as Frenchy,  Lainey Hicks as Jan,  Cate Labas as Patty Simcox, Jantzen Shinmoto as Kenickie,  Chad Navarro-Cortes as Doody,  Kevin Molina as Roger,  Jake Glasser as Sonny Latierri,  Pono Lundell as Eugene Florczyk,  Ryan Philips as Vince Fontaine, and Gabriel Ryan/Kern as Johny Casino.
The ensemble includes Emi Sampson, Jeff Andrews, Brianna Johnston, Victoria Chang, Kirra Baughn, Caris Leong, Jasmine Weldon, Maggie Ryan, Shane Nishimura, Drew Bright, Paul Garcia, Justin Garde and Sammy Houghtailing.

The artistic team includes  Michael Ng, director; Dwayne Sakaguchi,  choreographer; Darcie Yoshinaga,  musical director; DeAnne Kennedy, set designer; Kyle Conner,  props designer; Chris Gouveia, as lighting designer; Emily Lane, costume designer; Aiko Schick, hair and make -up designer; Kristen Kenney,  set painter; La Tanya Siliato,  sound designer;  and Trudi Melohn, stage manager.

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“Grease”

What: A musical about teens at Rydell High School, with book and music by Jim Jacobs,  and Warren Case, with a title tune by Barry Gibb

Where: Diamond Head Theatre

When: Performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays;  also, at 3 p.m. Saturdaysand 4 p.m. Sundays,  from March 14 through Aprill 20.

Tickets: $41 to $68, at www.diamondheadtheatre.com or (808) 733-0274

Broadway grosses, for the week ending March 9

For the second consecutive week, “Othello” has grosses $2.8 million, retaining the top spot on the The Top 10.

The  Top 10:

1—”Othello,” $2.818 million

2—“Wicked,” $2,435 million

3—” Hamilton,” $1.683 million

4—”The Lion King,”$1.543 million

5—”The Outsiders,” $1.306 million

6—”Gypsy,” $1.248 million

7—”MJ The Musical,” $1.202 million

8—”Aladdin,” $1.183 million

9—”Death Becomes Her,” $1.077 million

10—”Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club,” $1.061 million

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway Guild:

And that’s Show Biz…

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FINAL MAILING OF EASTER PINS

Finally, the Easter bunny delivered the final 2025 Easter pins. So: if you’ve not received yours, you’ll likely get ’em tomorrow or Saturday, in plenty of time to celebrate Easter.

Made, too, a limited number of Easter baskets with a pink rose attachment on the front.

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RELOCATED FRANK: NO DILEMMA

Comedian Frank DeLima now calls Las Vegas home, settling into his new digs, precise location I promised never to reveal.

“Still getting settled,” he said in a recent email, when I asked, “How you doing?
On this day, he was hanging pictures on the walls of his senior home, and deciding what goes where, like any other person moving into new quarters.

“Putting stuff in their proper places,” he added.

Frank DeLima

What he learned, when he was ensconced in a Maikiki apartment for decades before his retirement this past year, is get room gear like shelving on wheels, for easier movement.

So, his shelves are on rollers, along with his chest of drawers. With back and hip issues, the easier it is to shuttle and shuffle stuff, the better.

DeLima also engaged in a new regimen – regular exercise – at his new senior facility.

“Every morning, I do two-hour therapy,” he revealed. “Neck, back, leg. Music makes it easier,” so he has his own brand of health-targeted disco.

“The hallways are so long, I walk indoors for exercise, for half an hour,” he said.

DeLima is fortunate to have friends in Vegas, who help him on shopping outings.  “But I’m slowly learning about home delivery,” he noted.

Generally speaking, DeLima has no dilemma about his retirement move.

On new turf, he’s also had to secure new  health services. “I got a new primary care physician,” he said. “And cardiologist, orthopedist, neurologist, dentist, physical therapist.”

All the vital “ists” in his quest for wellness are in place.

While he doesn’t have much hair to address, he nonetheless also has found a barber.

Health coverage is helping him to curb costs.“My insurance takes care of my transportation, round trip, to my appointments.,” said DeLima.

“I no more car, but my family and friends take me when I need to go shopping. And eating.”

He’s been scheduling lunches at least once a week, a comfortable rhythm and pace for all he’s been doing.

Further, he’s discovered a Catholic church a mile away, for Sunday worship.

“My sister  (who has been a Vegas resident for a while) picks me up and we attend (church). Then go eat.”

 He’s truly done all the proper  homework, to adjust to his new senior life in the desert. He’s located restaurants in all directions of his residence, offering quite a range of choice: Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korea, Jewish and even “a place called Island Style, with Hawaiian favorites on the menu,,” he said..

DeLima also has figured out the locations of a CVS Pharmacy, Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, Target and a Smith’s Supermarket perhaps three miles away.

He’s been a Zippy’s advocate in Honolulu, but he hasn’t revealed if he’s visited the first Zippy’s on the Ninth Island or where a second eatery is coming up soon.

Frank DeLima, with a fan, at his last show Dec. 15 at Blue Note Hawaii.

If you recall, DeLima’s final gig in Honolulu before heading for Vegas, was a Dec, 15, 2024, Christmas show at Blue Note Hawaii, complete with his array of comedic vignettes. Because of the holidays he staged his “Filipino Christmas” complete with his tree costume with lights. Diehard fans showed up at the mid-day finale.

Next up, possibly later than sooner, DeLima is eager to test the waters of doing limited shows for the constant Hawaii delegations who convene to Vegas for birthday or wedding receptions and the plethora of high school reunions which adore the climate of  seeing old school pals and the lure  of trying to win the big jackpot on the slots before catching a flight home …

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And that’s Show Biz…