Category: Show Biz

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FOR LORETTA, GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK

Actress Loretta Ables Sayre confirms that letting her hair go gray enabled her to land jobs like “Pretty Little Liars: Summer School” last year.

“I have now graduated from the mom/auntie roles to the tutu age market,” she said in an e-mail. “And frankly, I love it.”

Widely known for her Tony-nominated role of Bloody Mary in Lincoln Center’s revival of Rodgers and Hamilton’s “South Pacific” 16 years ago on Broadway, Ables Sayre surmises “there might be less gray-haired tutus in the Polynesian/Asian category that are looking for work (but) I love the freedom of being who I am and not having to worry about touching up my roots. At this point, darker hair didn’t make me look younger. It just made me look like I was in denial.”

On April 1, Ables Sayre will  turn 66  and admitted her dye job days are over. “No one was looking at me saying ‘gee, I wonder if she’s still in her 50s?’ Letting my hair go gray the way it has wanted to the past 35-plus years was freeing.

Further, going gray was empowering and enabled her to land the role of a grandma named Lola in “Pretty Little Liars: Summer School” which she completed filming in New York last year. Appropriately, Lola is a name and also the term that Filipinos call their grandma (Ables is Filipino, so she knows!).

 Ables Sayre portrays the tutu of Minnie Mouse, her granddaughter enacted by Malia Pyles in the HBO/MAX series, and the mother  of Tony winner Lea Salonga, of “Miss Saigon” fame, who plays her daughter Elodie.

She wasn’t in “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin” (Season 1) but makes her debut in “Summer School” ( Season 2), likely to premiere sometime in spring, continuing the topsy-turvy life in Millwood.

“I don’t think having gray hair means you look frumpy,” said Ables Sayre.
 “If you have a great cut that still looks fun and sexy, you can rock that. Being older doesn’t have to mean being over the hill. You can be gray and still sparkle; I have a great hair stylist, Donna Tokumoto, who keeps me in shape.”

Ables Sayre said filming was whirlwind but fab – “everybody brought their A-game to the set every day” – and the challenge was to complete the work complicated by the dual WGA and the SAG/AFTRA strikes. The Hollywood walkouts paused production and filming resume when the strikes were settled.

“I would come home whenever I could but sometimes, I would only be home for about four days before I had to head back to New York,” she said.

Enough to give one gray or white hair…

Bruno Mars has gambling debt

Hawaii’s superstar Bruno Mars (pictured below), who has an ongoing stint at the MGM casino in Las Vegas, apparently is an extravagant gambler, according to the News Nation website.

Mars, a professional poker player, has apparently logged significant gambling losses at the MGM, with a Vegas source indicating that the debt is in the $50 million range.

As the resident attraction in the casino’s showroom, Mars’ revenues from his performances likely will be paybacks to clear the debt.  

Good thing Mars is completing a new album – his first solo disc since 2016’s “24K Magic” — and is in early conversations with Live Nation to plan a concert tour to support the disc through 2025.

He has been on an international tour with his group, The Hooligans, which has sell-out tours in key markets like Tokyo, so he’s cashing in huge sums.

He also has a secondary R&B career with Silk Sonic, with his blues partner Anderson .Paik. Their 2021 debut studio album, “An Evening With Silk Sonic,” earned  four Grammy trophies…

And that’s Show Biz…

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‘EVAN:’ SPLENDID, BUT TENSION-FILLED

In “Dear Evan Hansen” — the emotional Tony Award-winning Broadway musical embracing teenage angst, loneliness, kindness, mental health, and suicidal issues — Manoa Valley Theatre hits all the right notes, with a superb cast led by Darian Keanu Aquino as the title character.

It is a potent and painful glimpse – loaded with tension — of the profound power and unexpected danger of social media, and the unintended fame earned by Evan, a high school student who writes himself an email in a doctor-ordered exercise that  gets into the hands of an unhappy peer, Connor Murphy (Presley A. Wheeler, equally unstable, carefree, sometimes rude, and a free spirit), who finds a printout in the school’s computer room, and steals the letter enroute to committing suicide.

Connor’s mom, Cynthia Murphy (Susan Hawes, every bit a concerned mother), discovers the errant  letter after his death, and it becomes the catalyst  and centerpiece in Evan’s twisted rise to fame and a campus hero.

Darian Keanu Aquino is Evan, Presley A. Wheeler is Connor, in “Dear Evan Hansen.” –– Photo by Brandon Miyagi, courtesy MVT.

The show features a book by Steven Levenson  (passionate and eloquent) and music and lyrics by Oscar winners (“La-la Land”) Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (absorbing and heart-tugging tunes). Directed by Rob Duval on a “set” by Elyse Takashige that is a bare but functions as an oversized billboard with periodical projections designed by R. Andrew Doan that propel – Facebook and TikTok fashion – the meandering plot details. The  tech team thus is as vital as the acting ensemble, and together, there’s raw power and cadence that propel the highs and lows of this emotional roller-coaster.

Aquino as  Evan has body language that speaks emotions without words. He is twitchy and nervous, with constant blinking eyes, with a fetish about his wet and clammy hands, always apologizing and possesses a never-ending habit of pulling down his tee shirt, shirt, or hoodie. Evan is a perpetual loner, walking a tightrope with a baggage of worries, not the least of which is his inability to find a genuine friend to sign his cast on his injured left arm. Enter, Connor, an indication that he’s an outsider, too,  

With telling details, the plot is all about relationships, between Evan and his best bud, Jared Kleinman (Shane Nishimura, a charming wise-cracking sidekick, who’s Evan’s only friend), who serves as a warm shoulder to lean on. While Evan accepts Connor’s signature on his cast, he’s a hardly a pal, in life and in his imagined encounters after his passing, but there’s a moment of mutual, vigorous rock-dancing.

Evan, who is attracted to Connor’s sister  Zoe Murphy (Ayzhia Tadeo, initially distant and quizzical but eventually tenderly sweet), overcomes the friction after Connor’s death.

 Further, there’s a relationship between Evan and his working mom, Heidi  Hansen (Vanessa Manuel-Mazzullo ) and with Connor’s parents, Larry Murphy (David Weaver), father of Connor, and Cynthia Murphy (Susan Haws). Not surprisingly, there are cracks and gaps in the relationship, when Evan is “outed” as a liar, the fibs heightened by public acclaim of his befriending Connor.

There’s one more relationship instance, between Evan and Alana Beck (Jenelle Wong, a willing cheerleader), who is co-president with Evan of the Connor Project, which she is fully committed to, to perpetuate the life of Connor.

Evan’s inability to spill the beans of his faux pretenses is understandable; he was a nobody before the tide turned, and the attention serves his psychological deficiencies while simultaneously feeds the frenzy that lifts his ego. That he could even deliver a speech at an assembly of peers plus the Murphy family reflects his lofty status and his declining fragility. And Aquino’s performance gets richer and more robust as Evan’s popularity soars, and the details get more specific and cloudier with fake specifics, like falling from a tree in the orchard of apple trees he had never seen. He’s found pieces from a massive puzzle, and he’s reaching out to complete a portrait he feels his rooters anticipate.

The musical score is splendid and the singers soar; the riches include Evan’s “ “You Will Be Found” in Act 1, the anthem where he laments his loneliness and uncertainty. Evan and Zoe’s duet on “Only Us” assures that his crush is becoming a real romance in Act 2, and Evan’s “Words Fail” is the ultimate “I’m sorry” effort, with the admission, “I never meant to make it such a mess.”

Jenny Shiroma conducts (and also plays keyboards with) the unseen orchestra of eight, supported by the resourceful sound designed by Sarah Velasco and Timothy Manamtam. Lighting designer Chris Gouveia illuminates the set with brilliance; and costume designer Amber Lehua Baker delivers with credible everyday garb. Likewise, Lisa Ponce de Leon’s hair and makeup design also reflects the simplicity the show requires.

For the faint of heart, bring Kleenex, because there will be emotional elements that will evoke tears. Truly. And for those queasy about language, there several F-bombs throughout the play…just so you know.

And with the sensitive health concerns of mental illness, and the element of suicide, MVY has a “You Will Be Found” postcard inserted in the “Dear Evan Hansen” playbill, should there be families or friends with need for support and consultation. Also, HMSA is the presenter of “Dear Evan Center,” cementing potential health needs for the community at large. A noble and necessary involvement…

And that’s Show Biz. …




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“Dear Evan Hansen”

A musical by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, with book by Steven Levonson

What: A lonely youth who writes a letter that falls into the hands of a suicidal peer, and the fame then furor, that ensues

Where: Manoa Valley Theatre

When: at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through April 7; extension dates,  March 29 and 31 and April 6 and 7

Tickets: $36 to $46, at (808) 988-6131 or www.manoavalleytheatre.com

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AND THE OSCARS GO TO…

This year’s Academy Awards likely have been already decided in recent weeks, amid the cluster of pre-Oscars competitions.

You know, Golden Globes, Critics Choice, SAG, BAFTA, etc.

ABC will televise the ceremonies, set to begin at 1 p.m. Sunday (March 10) Hawaii time, with Jimmy Kimmel hosting  from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. A pre-show ceremony starts at 1:30 p.m.

Our predictions in seven key categories:

  • Best Picture – “Oppenheimer.”
  • Best Director – Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer.”
  • Best Actor – Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer.”
  • Best Actress – Lily Gladstone, “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
  • Best Supporting Actor –Robert Downey Jr., “Oppenheimer.”
  • Best Supporting Actress – Da’Vine Joy Randolph, “The Holdovers.”
  • Best Song – “What Was I Made For,” from “Barbie,” Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell.
  • Some observations:

Disclosures: I didn’t see “The Holdovers” – it was on island screens briefly – so I’ll go along with Da’vine Joy Randolph’s previously amassed trophies. In the same film, Paul Giamatti (one of my respected faves over time) has won a Globe, seemingly won’t be able to surpass the rollercoaster that “Oppenheimer” has been this season.

Upsets could happen: Emma Stone (“Poor Things”) was a fave in the Golden Globes, so could bump Gladstone, the first Native Ameriican nominee this year. While Randolph was an earlier winner in the SAG, America Ferrera’s long monologue in “Barbie’ was quite the essence of a supporting actress performance.

Longest running films this year: “Flower Moon,” 3 hours 26 minutes.  “Oppenheimer”? 3 hours. “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” 2 hours 48 minutes. Length could be a winning element.

Documentary snub: Why was Swift’s (pictured) concert film was ruled ineligible for Best Documentary consideration?: The Academy’s take: “Works that are essentially promotional or instructional are not eligible, nor are works that are essentially unfiltered records of performances.” Oh-kay. Still, the doc was tailor-made for Swift’s abundant talent.

More snub-bery: “Barbie” earned eight nominations but was absent in key actress and direction categories. Why?  “Barbie” was nominated for Best Picture, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress (Ferrera) and Best Supporting Actor (Ryan Goslyn), and two  Best Song contenders, for a total eight slots. Everything considered, “Barbie” was a fun, stylish and popular box office hit. Pink and pretty, too, but it won’t win Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, or Best Supporting Actor, so let’s hope it cops a couple of techie awards. Its fame will have to settle for Best Song.

A galaxy of stars will be assembling: As is the tradition, last year’s Oscar winners will be on hand to present trophies to this year’s winners. So, anticipate seeing Brendan Fraser, Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis. Other celebrities expected: Michelle Pfeiffer, Al Pacino are set to appear, along with  Zendaya, Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Lange, Nicolas Cage, Mahershala Ali, Sam Rockwell and Luptia Nyong’o. More names should be added by show time. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

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ABLES SAYRE JOINING ‘LIARS’ CAST

Perhaps her white hair mattered!

Loretta Ables Sayre, the Tony-nominated island singer-actress who starred as Bloody Mary in Lincoln Center’s “South Pacific” several years ago, has been cast as a grandma in HBO Max’s “Pretty Little Liars” second season, dubbed “Summer School.”

“I play the mother of Lea Salonga (Elodie in season one’s “Original Sin”), and the grandmother of her daughter Mouse, played by Malia Pyles,” Ables Sayre said in an e-mail.

Her character’s name is Lola, who arrives in Millwood, to live with her granddaughter for the summer.

Ables Sayre, pictured, does look like a tutu now, with a stunning ’do. Remember when her Facebook postings last year showcased her flowing, graying, whitening hair, au naturel…minus coloring?

“Pretty Little Liars” will be chockfull of teens, many who are deceiving liars. Some will be returnees, others will be newbies. The show is a daunting and complicated blend of passion, tension, creepiness, heroes, and villains. Some will survive, some won’t.

The show is expected to stream on HBO Max this spring…

Broadway grosses, for week ending March 3

Not surprisingly, “The Lion King” still tops the ratings game on Broadway; but two new shows have joined the million dollar club, at No.9 and No. 10.

The Top 10:

1—“The Lion King,” $1,633 million.

2—”Wicked,” $1,603 million.

3—“Hamilton,” $1,548 million.

4—“Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,478 million.

5–  Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” $1,214 million.

6—”Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” $1,199 million.

7—”MJ The Musical,” $1,181 million.

8—”Aladdin,” $1.035 million.

9—”Hadestown,” $1,022 million.

10—“An Enemy of the People,” $1,005 million.

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…

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‘NCIS’ GROWING, WITH PREQUEL, SPIN-OFF

The “NCIS” universe is about to broaden this year and next, with two new shows – a prequel and a spin-off.

The recent issue about the mothership of CBS’ “NCIS” franchise, whether the original show will be gaining a 22nd season, following the current 21st season, or head for the sunset via syndicated reruns.

But then news broke about a prequel on CBS, introducing Austin Stowell, pictured, as a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, who star in “NCIS: Origins,’ tracking Gibbs as he launches his career as a special agent in 1991, years before the current series.

If that wasn’t enough, rumors of a reunion of two standouts in “NCIS” history, Michael Weatherly as Tony DiNozzo, and Cote de Pablo as Ziva David, also surfaced, but as a streaming show on Paramount+, not CBS. The title of new show, expected later this year, has not been announced, but its return to the small screen had been fueled with buzz and anticipation (mostly generated by Weatherly) 10 years after both special agents departed the show.

Two Harmons will be aboard

Mark Harmon, pictured, whose Gibbs viewers know well, will narrate the new prequel, and serve as the series’ executive producer, joined by his son, Sean Harmon, who has also previously portrayed a young Gibbs. Both Harmons  will join David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal, who are set to serve as co-showrunners. and will co-write the premiere episode.

Stowell is not yet widely known, though he has amassed previous credits with roles in “Whiplash” and “Bridge of Spies.” He co-starred with Emma Stone in “Battle of the Sexes,” and appeared in other TV series as “A Friend of the Family,” “The Hating Game,” “Breathe,” and “Catch 22,” plus  Steven Spielberg’s series “Amazing Stories” and “Public Morals.”

It’s too early to know where CBS will program its newest “NCIS.” Could it be on Monday nights, where the prequel could precede the still-running original show, which in turn now precedes “NCIS: Hawaii”?  CBS already has a triple dose of “FBI” series on Tuesday nights, just the way NBC devotes Wednesday nights to the trio of “Chicago” shows and Thursday’s roster of “Law and Order” staples.

International implications

The spin-off will have international implications and thus will be shot abroad.

Cote de Pablo (Ziva David) and Michael Weatherly (Tony Di Nozzo) will reunite in a new “NCIS” spin-off based in Europe.

The new series picks up after Ziva’s dramatic return from her supposed death, reuniting her with Tony and their daughter, Tali, in Paris. However, their peaceful life is shattered when Tony’s security company comes under attack, forcing the family to go on the run across Europe. As theycsort out who is after them and why, they must confront the past and rebuild trust.

John McNamara, who wrote the pilot episode, expressed enthusiasm in joining the team to explore the NCIS universe from a different perspective and new locations.

“Given that the franchise is such a global sensation, I think it’s phenomenal that CBS Studios and Paramount+ have given us the greenlight to shoot in Europe,” he said in a statement..

Romantic tension, workplace friction

After years of romantic tension and workplace friction with Weatherly/Tony, de Pablo/Ziva resigned during season 10 but appeared in the first two episodes of season 11.

Shortly thereafter, de Pablo left the series, with her character being presumably killed in a bombing in Israel, as revealed in season 13 — but not before she gave birth to a daughter, Tali, who was fathered by Tony.

Weatherly’s character departed the series after season 13 to presumably care for Tali. Further, Ziva was revealed to have survived the explosion that everyone thought killed her in a bombing in Israel, as revealed in season 13 — but not before she gave birth to a daughter, Tali, who was fathered by DiNozzo.

Ziva was revealed to have survived the explosion in season 16, and briefly reappeared in that season’s finale and four episodes of season 17.

Exec producer credit, too

In their new show, Weatherly and de Pablo will serve as executive producers alongside John McNamara, The spin-off will mark the screen debut of the couple’s daughter Tali.

The spin-off will likely log a NCIS “first:” Mark Harmon will not be an executive producer and — for now, anyway — is not expected to appear on the show…

And that’s Show Biz…