Category: Show Biz

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‘KIMO THE WAITER’ AT KUMU KAHUA

Kaipo Dudoit stars as the titular character in “Kimo the Waiter,” opening Thursday (Nov. 7) at Kumu Kahua Theatre.

The script, by Lee Cataluna, spotlights Kimo as a frustrated actor who waits tables while pursuing his dream of acting professionally in the Hawaii of the 1980s, when Hollywood “discovered” the islands by filming TV procedurals here.

Kaipo Dudoit

Kimo is challenged to break free from stereotypical mindset of Hollywood directors to land a role beyond local commercials.

Jason Kanda is director.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 7. There is no show on  Thanksgiving Nov. 28, but there is a 2 p.m. matinee in its place, on Saturday Nov. 30.

Tickets are $8 to $28, available at www.kumukahua.org or at (808)536-4441…

Elliman sings on Princess Cruises

Honolulan Yvonne Elliman reunited with Teddy Neeley and performed together during a Princess  Cruises Mexican Riviera cruise last month. She was Mary Magdalene and he was Jesus in “Jesus Christ Superstar” back in the day.

Yvonne EllIman and Teddy Neeley sing on Princess cruise ship.

They sang Neeley’s composition, “Love Is All There Is.”

Elliman sings, using cane

She also shared “If I Can’t Have You,”  her No. 1 hit from  the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack, on the final night of their journey.

Elliman, 72, on the cruise with her husband Allen Alexander, was a global sensation when she performed in “Jesus Christ Superstar” on stage and in the film version, and her voice also was highly prominent in the “Fever” soundtrack along with the riches from the Bee Gees.

Despite her reliance of a walking cane for support (visible on the “If I Can’t Have You” video), Elliman managed to provide movement and a bit of dancing on the track.

You go, girl! …

‘Sunset Blvd.’ rising on Broadway charts

“Sunset Blvd.,” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest revival on Broadway, has risen to third place in the weekly round-up of grosses. It stars Hawaii girl Nicole Scherzinger as Norma Desmond.

The Top 10:

1—”Wicked,” $2.279 million

2–“The Lion King,” $1.961 million

3—”Sunset Blvd.,”$1.723 million

4—”Hamilton,” $1.717 million

5—“MJ The Musical,” $1.500 million

6—”McNeal,” $1.375 million

7—”The Outsiders,” $1.331 million

8—” Hell’s Kitchen,” $1.275 million

9—”Aladdin,” $1.207 million

10—“Oh, Mary!,” $1.176 million

The full list:

And that’s Show Biz…

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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.

Carole Kai

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 Kolivas

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…

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A RASCAL AND A DOLLY REVIVE ‘MY HAWAII’ HIT FOR MAUI FIRE FUNDRAISER

Felix Cavaliere, a member of The Rascals and co-writer of the group’s popular “My Hawaii”  hit from the past, has re-recorded the tune with Dolly Parton.

The song, co-composed by the group’s lead singer Eddie Brigati, was a staple in the bands for years, and apparently was written  and recorded by The Rascals, formerly The Young Rascals,  following concerts in the islands.

Felix Cavaliere

The revival soon will be available for downloading and streaming as a benefit for the Maui United Way’s Maui Fire Disaster Relief Fund. I have heard the 2024 version sung and it is a splendid fundraiser for the 2023 wildfire tragedy that erased the Lahaina waterfront businesses and left hundreds homeless and more than 100 killed.

Cavaliere solicited  the kokua of Parton on vocals, to join the effort to provide financial assistance to the Maui community members whose businesses and residences, including the thriving Lahaina waterfront, were devastated in the wildfire.

Dolly Parton

Both Cavaliere and The Rascals, and country singer and iconic entertainer Dolly Parton, have had ties with the islands, and singing “My Hawaii,” with lyrics that mention Maui, was a natural means of creating a meaningful homage to the Valley Island.

“The song ‘My Hawaii’ is a token of love and gratitude to the people of Hawaii, especially Maui,” said Cavaliere.

The Rascals visited Hawaii for the first time in August of 1966 to perform at “The First Teen Fair”, a five-day event held from Aug. 24 to 28  at the Hawaii International Center (HIC)  Exhibition Hall, where admission was $1.  Because of terrific fan response, promoter Tom Moffatt rebooked The Rascals for five more sell-out gigs at the HIC Arena (now the Neal Blaisdell Center) between 1967 and 1969.

The Rascals, back in the day, from left: Gene Cornish, Eddie Brigati, Dino Danelli and Felix Cavaliere.

In August of 1967, following an arena show, Moffatt staged  a Neighbor Island tour, enchanting fans on Maui, Kauai and The Big Island.

Legend has it that Cavaliere and Brigati penned “My Hawaii” after a performance on Aug.10, 1967, at the Maui War Memorial Auditorium.

“My Hawaii,” introduced on The Rascals’ 1968 album, “Once Upon a Dream,” never was a single release, but it found an audience, particularly in the islands.

A Hawaii group, The Krush, adopted “My Hawaii” for its island shows, including the Main Showroom of the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel.

In recent years, Cavalier, minus The Rascals, performed at the Blue Note Hawaii club, which previously was the Main Showroom, at the Outrigger Waikiki resort.

It’s uncertain how Cavaliere was able to access the services of Parton to make “My Hawaii” a two-voice special. 

Parton had both musical and business ties to Hawaii. She concertized at Conroy Bowl at Schofield Barracks in May 1976 for a military audience, and headlined a Blaisdell Arena show in 1987. She also launched a restaurant, Dockside Plantation, a waterfront destination at the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center, which operated for nearly a year and a half.

The remake of “My Hawaii” is a crisp, fascinating find, rejuvenating one of the grand hit tracks from the past. Both Cavaliere and Parton take turns, articulating the lyrics, which have everlasting appeal; and midway in the song, there’s recitation of the words—rich with aloha, resourceful in tapping emotions. For a fund-raiser, this is fabulous in tapping emotions and nudging the heart.

However, I’ve been awaiting a link from Maui United Way that will enable supporters to hear the tune, with a gorgeous video of the beauty and the magic that is Hawaii (Cavaliere and Parton are not shown performing the tune), to download for streaming with a donation to support the Maui fundraising effort. If and when I receive that info, I will update this report and share the link…

Update: the tune has landed on YouTube, and here’s the link:

And that’s Show Biz…

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WARD TAKES ON HAWAII KAI BUZZ

Rumors have been flying high and wide in Hawaii Kai– some true, most not – about the fate of area businesses. And Rep Gene Ward  (R, House District 18), has taken on the role of taskmeister, sorting out the truth, in an email to constituents.

I’ve heard some of the buzz, but not all. And Ward examines the riff and the raff. But he has not addressed all the concerns in the neighborhood.

Like: Costco Hawaii Kai is not closing. Never heard that it might exit our neighborhood. Nor the chatter that the Hawaii Kai Satellite City Hall was shuttering. Ward indicates that Councilman Tommy Waters’ office revealed that the convenient satellite city hall, tucked behind Roy’s Restaurant, has a lease through Aug. 31, 2031. Good to know.

Rep. Gene Ward

More disclosures:

The Hawaii Kai office of the Honolulu Police Department is staying put; the office “functions solely as  an unmanned workspace, which officers may intermittently utilize for writing reports” and is not open to the public, so it would have no impact on staffing levels in East Oahu. That’s comforting news.

Here are some good news and bad news: The abandoned restaurant space at the Hawaii Kai Towne Center, once occupied by Outback Steakhouse and most recently by the failed launch of Scratch Kitchen near Roy’s, will gain a new tenant, but  it won’t be an eatery. Bank of Hawaii, which has a small space at Koko Marina Center, will expand again to occupy the Scratch space. (The bank had been a long-time tenant at Koko Marina, across Zippy’s).

I have two questions for Rep. Ward: There’s been buzz that Zippy’s might shut down its take-out counter, which has been operating after Zippy’s closed its dine-in restaurant. That area still is vacant, and folks are wondering: Will Zippy’s reconsider and return to dine-in, too, or might another restaurant move in?

And more queries: What or who might acquire the abandoned Koko Marina multi-plex movie theaters? The front signage has been removed and the building frontage painted; but the rear sign, visible from Lunalilo Home Road, still is there. Why?

One final query: since Ben Franklin left its Koko Marina home years ago, the vacancy remains after a game center failed. There had been earlier rumors that a health-food market might move in, and also an H-Mart store, but the doors are stlll locked, with the UPS store the only surviving merchant on that corridor.

 Rep. Ward welcomes queries and concerns about Hawaii Kai businesses. You may reach him via phone at (808) 586-6420 or email repward@capitol.hawaii.gov …

TAG seeks $15,000 to upgrade light and sound

The Actors’ Group (TAG), the fledging theater group located at the Brad Powell Theatre at Dole Cannery, is seeking 15,000 to upgrade its lighting and sound systems.

And it’s off to a great start: $7,900 already has been committed from donors and supporters.

The plans will include acquiring LEDs and updated software to replace antiquated equipment from the theater group’s Yellow Brick Studio facilities in Kaka‘ako.

LEDs are energy-efficient, with longer lifespan, and will reduce on-stage heat for actors. Power speakers will enhance amplification and depth, benefitting theater audiences.

Contributions, large or small, may be made at the theater during performance or at the group’s website, at www.taghawaii.net …

Broadway grosses, for the week ending May 5

While “The Lion King” still lords over the weekly list of Broadway grosses – the lone show in the $2 million club – the arrival of newbies will likely change the rankings in future weeks.

The Top 10:

1–“The Lion King,” $2,035 million.

2—”Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club,” $1,920 million.

3—”Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” $1,762 million.

4—”Hamilton,” $1,732 million.

5—”Wicked,” $1,586 million.

6—”The Wiz,” $1,458 million.

7—” MJ the Musical,” $1,456 million.

8—”Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,435 million.

9—”Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” $1,405 million.

10—“Hell’s Kitchen,” $1,270 million.

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway Guild:

And that’s Show Biz…

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MOMS THE WORD IN LUNG ASSN. EVENT

Four community mothers, including Cha Thompson, the co-founder and retired vice-president of Tihati Productions, will be singularly and collectively honored as the 2024 Outstanding Mothers Awards winners in an event at 11:30 a.m. to 2 p,m. May 26 at the Alohilani Resort in Waikiki.

Three other honorees in the American Lung Association and Lung Force Women’s Cabinet are notable professionals and leaders in the community: Bettina Mehnert, president and CEO of Architects Hawai‘i, Dr. Diane Paloma, president and CEO of Hawai‘i Dental Service, and Angela Pratt, M.D., OB/GYN department chair at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women and Children.

Photo IDs: Cha Thompson, right; Dr. Diane Palona,below, left; Bettina Mehner, further below right; and Angela Platt, further below left.

Thompson’s company is the largest producers of Polynesian entertainment industry shows in Hawaii and the world.

 The honorees acknowledge the crucial, ongoing challenges in lung health, from the impact of COVID-19 to the rise in vaping rates

among youth and the air quality concerns resulting from the Lahaina wildfires on Mau

 The ALA providies essential lung health programs and connects individuals to vital resources.

The proceeds raised from the Outstanding Mother Awards, directly contributes to sustaining the Lung Association’s life-saving efforts in the islands.

Sponsorship options include four premium tables of eight, $25,000 two diamond tables, $12,000; one emerald table, $6,000; one pearl table, $3,000.

Deadline for table reservations is May 3; Ad options in a journal, for personal messages, are also available; deadline is April 19.

For details, visit Action.Lung.org, or contact Angela Petersons at angela.petersons.@lung.org or call (808) 437…

Hawaii No Ka Oi

The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra has a slate of shows in the weeks ahead at the Hawaii Theatre:

  • Robert Cazimero stages a Hapa Symphony concert, at 7:30 p.m. April 23 and 24. Tickets: $10.50 to $99.00. .
  • Beethoven Fest features the HSO conducted by Dane Lam, with pianist Mahani Veave, at 4 p.m. April 27, Tickets: $19:99 to $89.00.
  • “LOST” in concert scopes the soundtrack of the filmed-in-Hawaii favorite, at 7 p.m. April 27. Tickets: $19.00 to $89.00
  • Ukulele whiz Jake Shimabukuro will strum his stuff in another Hapa Symphony, at 7:30 p.m. May 18. Tickets: $10.50 to $99.00.
  • Shoshkovich Five, at 4 p..m. May 19, features Dane Lam, conducting, and Michelle Cann, pianist. Tickets: $10.50 to $99.00.
  • Hawaii Theatre box office: : (808) 528-0506…

And that’s Show Biz…