CAROLE KAI 80TH BIRTHDAY BASH

Carole Kai turns 80 on Monday (Oct. 28), but family and friends will celebrate her birthday this Saturday (Oct. 26) at Oahu Country Club.

Kal, born Carole Shimizu and now Mrs. Eddie Onouye, is one of Honolulu’s most active philanthropist and charity enthusiast, with a remarkable list of performing and producing credits.

Let me count some of the ways: singer-pianist, piano bar;  Carole Kai Bed Race, in Waikiki; Great Aloha Run, from Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium,  the Local Divas with Melveen Leed, Loyal Garner and Nohelani Cypriano;  co-host of “Hawaii Stars,” with Kimo Kahoano, on local TV.

She’s an entertainer in spirit, who certainly does a lot of charity work, which is her top mission in life.  Hauoli la hanau, Carole…

DHT sets cast for ‘White Christmas’

Diamond Head Theatre has announced its cast for the holiday musical, “White Christmas,” which opens Nov. 22 and runs through Dec. 15.

The stage production is based on a 1954 Paramount film starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen, featuring music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. The stage version features a book by David Ives and Paul Blake, and capitalizes on the classic Berlin tunes, including the iconic title song, plus hits such as “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” and “How Deep Is the Ocean.”

The plot involves war veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis,  who have a popular song-and-dance act following World War II. With love in their mind, the pair follow two singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at Vermont Lodge, owned by the soldiers’ former army commander.

DHT’s cast features Adam Allison as Bob Wallace, David Sheftell as Phil Davis, Lainey Hicks as Betty Haynes, Alexandria Zinov as Judy Haynes, Joe Martyak as General Wavery, Mary Chesnut Hicks as Martha Watson, Charlotte Miyahara/Anna Johnson as Susan Waverly,  Ralph Sheldrake as Mo Radke, Chandler Converse as Rita/Betty understudy, Amanda Ross as Rhoda,  Fedrico Biven as Ezekiel Foster, and Ken Roberts as Mike/Jimmy.

Quintet players are Samantha Allen, Sofia Garcia, Camille Michel, Reilly Choo, and Shane Nishimura.

The ensemble includes Samantha Allen, Kirra Baughn, Victoria Chang, Celia Chun, Reilly Choo, Chandler Converse, Sofia Garcia, Amanda Giang, Grace Gilbertson, Eriq James, Tyson Jao, Caris Leong, Brittany Lewis, Pono Lundell, Tai Malalis, Camille Michel, Shane Nishimura, Ken Roberts, Amanda Ross, and Brandon Yim.

Other credits: Marisa Capalbo is a swing actor, 
Celia Chun is assistant to the choreographer, and
Victoria Chang is assistant to the tap choreographer. 

John Rampage is director and co-choreographer with Caryn Yee, and Phil Hidalgo is musical director.

Playdates are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and also on select Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 3 p.m. select Saturdays and at 4 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $41 to $68, available at www.diamondheadtheatre.com and (808) 773-0274…

HJQ in last gig at Honolulu Beerworks

John Kolivias’ Honolulu Jazz Quartet will be giving its final performance at Honolulu Beerworks from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday (Oct. 28).

The venue, at 328 Cooke St., is shutting down soon and is seeking a new location.

HJQ normally features Kolivas on bass, Tim Tsukiyama on saxophones, Dan Del Negro on piano and Noel Okimoto on drums.

However, guest musicians will perform Monday, including Jimmy Funai on guitar, Corey Funai on harmonica and vocals, Stacy Tanongan on drums and Kainalu Kolivis, John’s son, on vocals…

Broadway grosses for week ending Oct. 20

The reigning top three on the chart of Broadway shows –“Wicked,” “The Lion King,” and “Hamilton” — still are leaders of the pack, but “Hell’s Kitchen” is perched at fourth place, the highest it’s been since it opened.

The Top 10:

1—”Wicked,” $2.231 million

2—”The Lion King,”$2.006 million

3—”Hamilton,”$1.868 million

4—”Hell’s Kitchen,” $1.554 million

5—”MJ The Musical,” $1.471 million

6–“The Outsiders,” $1.468 milion

7—” McNeal,” $1.347 million

8—”The Great Gatsby,” $1.266 million

9—”Aladdin,” $1.233 million

10—”Sunset Blvd.,” $1.211 million

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway League: :

And that’s Show Biz…