Category: Stage

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‘Funny Girl’ at Diamond Head

“Funny Girl” — the acclaimed Broadway musical and hit film that made Barbra Streisand a superstar – opens May 22 at the Diamond Head Theatre, for a run through June 6.

Already, many playdates are sold out, so it’s prudent to secure tickets sooner than later, if you intend to go.

“Funny Girl” is the biographical musical about the feisty, determined wanna-be performer Fanny Brice, who is from New York’s Lower East Side, and her inspired journey to become a stage star as a headliner in the Ziegfeld Follies in the era when vaudeville was king.

It’s a tale of big dreams, challenging goals and immense hurdles, fueled by tuneful staples from the Bob Merrill and Jule Styne musical score, including such evergreens as “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People.”  The show — with book and original story by Isobel Lennart –has become a star-maker; two years ago, Lea Michele famously resuscitated the Brice role on Broadway and turned a so-so interpretation into a magical blockbuster.

John Rampage, veteran artistic director of Diamond Head Theatre, is charged with directing and choreographing “Funny Girl.”

 Becca Brake will portray the effervescent and Indefatigable Fanny Brice; Mark Sanders will enact Nick Arnstein, her financially unstable gambler-husband; Shari Lynn will be Mrs. Rosie Brice, Fanny’s mom not immediately convinced about Fanny’s quest; and Joe Martyak will play Florenz Ziegfeld Jr, who gives Fanny the nod to put her stamp on his famous Ziegfeld Follies show.

Others in the cast are David Weaver (Eddie Ryan), Brianna Johnson (Emma), Tracey Villiger (Mrs. Strakosh),  Betty Bolton (Mrs. Meeker) Lee Nebe (Tom Keeney),  Jody Bill (Keeney Girl, Showgirl, Fanny Brice understudy), Landon Ballesteros (John the Stage Manager), Mary Rydell (Mrs. O’Malley), Federico Biven (Heckie),  Brandon Yim (Workman), Presley Wheeler (Workman, Ziegfeld Production Tenor), Christina Sutrov (Keeney Girl, Showgirl), Anastasia Chrysler (Keeney Girl, Showgirl), Alexandra Langley (Keeney Girl/Showgirl), Salote Vaha’i (Mimsey, Showgirl), Timmy “Tino” Nozaki (Paul), Bob Calvert (Mr. Renaldi), James Lauer (Coronet Man, Jody) and Suzanne Green (understudy for Mrs. Brice, Mrs. Strakosh, Mrs. Meeker, and Mrs. O’Malley)..

Ensemble members are Casey Kekoa Lauti,  Jaiyu-Li,  Brittany Lewis,  Ani O’Hanlon, Emily Lane, and Teagan Staskawicz.

Performance days are at 7 p.m. Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. DHT’s website may not list certain sellout dates. Tickets range in price from $43 to $70, available at www.diamondheadtheatre.com and (808) 733-0274…

And that’s Show Biz…



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ROBERT: BIRTHDAY, WALLET, SELL-0UT

Robert Cazimero, the accomplished do-all island entertainer, turns 77 today (March 20). Happy da kine.

He celebrated his birthday last night (March 19), in one of his usual gigs at Chef Chai’s. But he’s been celebrating throughout the month of March, which is the timetable he advocates.

It’s been a banner month for him, and he works (hard) for his money, like the Donna Summer mantra song from yesteryear Consider:

Robert Cazimeero and his “water.”
  • He’s been rehearsing like crazy, for a two-show gig at 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday (March 22) at Paliku Theatre at Windward Community Theatre. It’s a fund-raiser for his Na Kamalei O Lililehua hula halau. The first show is sold out, and the finale likely will follow suit.
  • He’s had a bit of a setback last week, followed by a good luck streak last week. He dined at the Kam Bowl Restaurant in Kalihi, and his wallet – with driver’s license, credit cards, and cash – slipped out of his rain jacket and unknowingly fell under a table. He discovered the loss only when he was at a Safeway, unable to pay for his purchase, so headed home, when he noticed his phone was a-buzz with messages. His friends saw a Facebook post  by the restaurant, and they were trying to alert him. He ultimately secured his belongings, with contents intact, but he was a bit concerned that his driver’s license was exposed on Facebook. However, he was able to retrieve all his stuff, without the need to replace all the valuable cards in his wallet. Honesty was on his side, for which he was thankful. Perhaps his birthday angel was monitoring his fate.
Kuana Torres Kahalem , on electric bass.
  • His birthday show at Chai’s was afloat, so to speak, thanks to the continuous flow of “water,” in actuality his favorite champagne. The performance ran nearly two hours, underscored by the vast support of entertainment pals and hula colleagues.  Kuana Torres Kahale, his Hawaiiana buddy, flew in from Hilo, to join Cazimero in concert, playing electric bass, singing harmony and frequently lead, in a stunning demonstration of developing brotherhood, in a sense replacing the void and loss of bro Roland Cazimero.

Kumu Vicky Holt Takamine, doing a hula.

Hula dancers Sky Perkins Gora and Keola “Buddy” Makaiau did perhaps two solo dances, because of the volley of  peer stylists tapped to share periodic hula in the aisles.  These included impressive halau dancers, male and female, including legendary kumu Vicky Holt Takamine who rendered several lead dances.  Singer Marlene Sai was a  notable spectator. The bottom line: there was much love and loyalty and artistry in the ranks…

Manoa Valley’s ‘Spring Awakening’ opens

 Mānoa Valley Theatre “Spring Awakening” opened last night (March 19) for a run through April 5..

The gritty rock musical, set in late 19th century Germany, explores the turbulent journey of adolescent sexuality and self-discovery. The adult themes suggest this is not for young audiences,

A group of teenagers navigate their inherent desires amid strict social pressures and a lack of adult guidance,  resulting in powerful, often dark, coming-of-age themes. Mature subject matter prevails, including depictions of suicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, abortion, and sexuality.

A contemporary rock score features music by Duncan Sheik, and the show is based on the play by Frank Wedekind, with book and lyrics by Steven Sater.

The MVT cast features isaiah Gunderman Graham (Melchior), Amy K. Sullivan (Adult Woman), Mathias Maas (Adult Man), Ainsley Shearer (Wendla), Nikki Bagaw (Martha), Marie Chiyo Staples (Thea), Gina Miyazaki (Anna), Myla Pellegrini (Ilse), Casey Lauti (Ernst), Maya Joyce (Georg,) Chad Navarro (Otto/Rupert) Andrew Cheng  (ensemble/Bobby/Reinhold), Kevin Molina (ensemble/Ulbrecht), Victoria Chang (ensemble/Marianna), Juliette Moody (ensemble/Frieda), and Cayden Park (ensemble/Liesel). I

The production team includes Lurana Donnels O’Malley (director),Jenny Shiroma (music director), Jonathan Clarke Sypert (choregrapher/inimacy coordinator), Stacey Pulmano (assistant director), Erich Sableinwandt-Gudoy ( stage manager), Aly Sutton (assistant stage manager),  Teia O’Malley (set designer),  Willie Sabel (technical director/scenic artist),  Janine Myers (lighting designer/master electrician),  Tim Manamtam and Sarah Velasco (sound designers),  Ka‘iukapu Baker (costume designer),   Lisa Ponce de Leon (hair and makeup designer)r (Kelley Belle (props designer), Rehearsal Assistant – Denise-Aiko Chinen (rehearsal assistant), and– Amber Lehua Baker (costume shop supervisor).

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, at 3 p.m. Sundays, with a special 3 p.m. matinee on March 28.

Tickets are $25 to $47, available via phone at (808) 988-6131, or online at manoavalleytheatre.com.

And that’s Show Biz…

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ONLY MUSICALS AT DHT ’26-’27

Diamond Head Theatre’s 2026-27 season will be an all-musical affair, featuring four favorite classics and two Hawaii premieres of recent titles.

Thus, the shows will provide a spectrum of astonishing and satisfying theatrical experiences, which should pique the interest of the old and the young alike, beginning with the compelling soul-tugging “Fiddler on the Roof” and winding up with the outrageously funny “Hairspray.”

The season also will be a stellar opportunity for skilled singers and dancers to strut their stuff by auditioning for the varied roles.

The rundown:

  • “Fiddler on the Roof,”  Sept. 25 to Oct. 11 2026 – One of the most beloved classics of the Broadway repertoire, this is the treasured tale of Tevye, a poor milkman and his wife and five daughters, who reside in the Russian village of Anateva.  The opening number, “Tradition,” says and shows it all – a cornerstone of musical comedy theater, with book by Jerry Bock, music by Joseph Stein, and lyrics by Sheldon Harvey. Tevye and his wife, the sharp-tongued Golde, lead lives that are as precarious as the perch of a fiddler on a roof, which give the show its title. The score boasts a wealth of hit songs that reflect the love, faith and life challenges of the family: “Tradition,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “To Life,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” and “Do You Love Me.”
  • “How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical,” Nov. 20 to Dec. 6 2026 – This holiday classic, from the stories of Dr. Seuss, was a children’s book and animated movie before segueing into a stage favorite for the Christmas season. The mean and green Grinch is the keen figure in an outing for both children, teens and adult audiences, and features its celebratory hit song, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and a world full of the Whos. The playwright is  Timothy Mason.
  • “Into the Woods,” Jan. 22 to Feb. 7 2027 – This Tony-winning musical, with storybook characters, is timeless and  tuneful, with wishes galore: Cinderella wishes to go to the ball, Prince Charming wishes to find the maiden who lost her shoe at the ball, the Baker and his Wife wish for a baby,  Little Red Riding Hood  wishes to visit her grandma, and  Jack of the beanstalk fame wishes to return home. The show was written by James Lapine with words and lyrics composed byStephen Sondheim. The audience might wish for one singular sensation of a song in the score, but there’s a bonanza of choices: “No One Is Alone,” “Stay With Me,” “Children Will Listen,” and “Last Midnight.” In the forested woods, however, happily ever after isn’t always so.
  • “Suffs,” March 12 to 28 2027 – “Suffs,” short for “suffragists,” is an award-winning show by Shaina Taub, who wrote the book, music and lyrics, and even starred in the original Broadway production. It Is a tale of the struggle for equality, the power of protest, and the relevance of the fight today. The original production featured an all-female cast, with women playing all roles, including the male characters, providing a unique and compelling perspective to the story; there’s no indication that DHT will go down this avenue. 
  • “Pirates! The Penzance Musical,” May 21 to June 6 2027 – This reimagining of Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic operetta,  was a 2025 hit on Broadway. The razzle-dazzle of G&S’s Penzance have been transported to New Orleans’s French Quarters, and the operetta flavor has been seasoned with Caribbean rhythms and jazz. The book and lyrics are by Rupert Holmes. The plot follows Frederic, who is mistakenly apprenticed to a band of tender-hearted pirates until his 21st birthday. But due to a leap year technicality, his apprenticeship is extended, complicating his love for Mabel. The Pirate King and the tongue-twisting Major-General are aboard ship, along with new young lovers, fleet-footed police, and footloose pirates.
  • “Hairspray,” July 23 to Aug. 8 2027 – First there was a movie by John Waters, then a Broadway show, and “Hairspray” thus became an iconic legend of 1960s Baltimore. Plus-size teenager Tracy Tumblad has one mission in life – to gain fame on the “Corny Collins Show,” the “American Bandstand”/Dick Clark sound-alike. Edna Tumblad, Tracy’s mom, is part of the legendary folks here – cuz she’s portrayed by a dude, who’ll become a notable sort in the process. The book is by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas McKeehan, based on the Waters film, with music byMarc Shaman and Scott Wittman. Themes include racial prejudice and integration, and size-hate and social change. The anthem, “You Can’t Stop the Beat” rules here, but other danceable and singable hits include “Good Morning Baltimore” and “I Can Hear the Bells.”

DHT advisories:

Season ticket sales are now underway and current subscribers must sign up by May 8. By phone: box office at (808) 733-0274. By mail: DHT, 520 Makapuu Ave., Honolulu HI 96826. Box office hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

To change current subscriptions, call or visit the box office.

Important operational changes:

  • All Thursday performances will begin at 7 p.m.
  • All Sunday shows will start at 3 p.m.
  • A new Thursday subscription show will be added; thus, the first Thursday option will become a second Thursday choice, the second Thursday will become the third.
  • The current first Saturday matinee will become the second.
  • The current second Saturday matinee will become the third.
  • The Friday opening night will not be changed, so the planned new Thursday performance will precede the usual opening night.
  • Shows prior to the opening night week could be added; they constitute extensions before the openings. (This option already has happened; the current show, “West Side Story,” had been slated prior to its March 20 debut, though at least two shows last week had to be canceled due to last week’s Kona low storms).

‘Harry Potter’ spell rules on Broadway

“Harry Potter” continues to have box office magic on Broadway, grossing $2.5 million for the week ending March 15. Only one other show – “Hamilton”—is in the $2 million club.

The Top 10:

1—”Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $2.507 million

2—“Hamilton,” $2.117 million

3—“Wicked,” $1.723 million

4—“The Lion King,” $1.718 milion

5—“Just in Time,” $1.680 million

6—“Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” $1.430 million

7—“Chess,” $1.331 million

8—“The Outsiders,” $1.296 million

9—“MJ the Musical,” $1.180 million

10—“Every Brilliant Thing,” $1.107 million

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…

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IT’S ‘WET SIDE STORY’ AT DHT

“West Side Story,” which was to open Friday night (March 13) at Diamond Head Theatre, will not happen even it is an audience sell-out. Because of the lingering stormy weather, the governor has shut down all educational facilities.

Though DHT is not under  the governor’s jurisdiction, the Kapiolani Community College is and its parking lot across the theater will be shuttered, said DHT executive director Trevor Tamashiro. The theater patrons need KCC’s parking spaces, which will not be available.

Trevor Tamashiro

“We just got the notice earlier at 1 p.m., and we have crews trying to inform folks that the show on the 13 is not happening,” said Tamashiro.

Further, Saturday’s (March 14) show – also sold out — also likely will not happen, due to the weather.

A Sunday (March 15) matinee could be open, but it’s subject to the rain.

Curiously, these early March shows, were supposed to be pre-opening “extension” dates.

“The opening night still will be on March 20,” said Tamashiro.

“West Side Story,” often considered one of the world’s most powerful, poignant and enduing love story, has survived a storied past. Surely, it will weather the wet days and nights we’ve been having  earlier this week.

Based on William Shakespeare’s fabled “Romeo and Juliet,”  the DHT show is scheduled extended through April 9, which includes add-on playdates. But with the closures this week, make-up performances are expected to fulfill a five-week run.

The tale tracks the star-crossed young lovers, who are caught in the crossfires of two feuding “sides,” with nowhere to go but a tragic finale.

In the retelling on stage, “West Side Story” is set in the Upper West Side of New York of the 1950s, where street gang racial violence pit the white teens of New York against the Puerto Rican Sharks–

Like Romeo and Juliet, Tony and Maria are caught in the web and theme of trouble-seeking West Side youths provoking gang violence. The couple, from both side of the tracks,  innocently become victims in warfare not of their making.

The music is by Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, whose melodies pump up the love and hatred and the original choreography and direction by Jerome Robbins propelled the show into a bona fide triumph of devastation, loss and unabashed tragedy. The book is by Arthur Laurents.

The original Broadway production had the eminent award-winning director Hal Prince as one of the producers overseeing the show.

Locally, Andrew Sakaguchi is directing and choreographing the DHT vehicle, with Jason Nomura as musical director.

The cast is comprised of Damian Chambers (Tony), Relle Revis (Maria), Jonah Guerrero (Action, Tony Alternate), Emi Sampson (Anita), Mike Braud (Riff), Dwayne Sakaguchi (Bernardo), Karsyn Wentzell (Big Deal), Alex Miller (Snow Boy), James Lauer (Diesel), Tai Malalis (A-Rab), Owen Gaillard (Baby John), Colton Cameros (Guitar), Chandler Converse (Anybodys), Salote Vahai (Graziella), Brittany Lewis (Velma), Anneliese Wirsching (Minnie), Justin Garde (Chino), Sammy Houghtailing (Anxious), Tino Nozaki (Indio), Saea Hikila (Pepe), Paul Garcia (Luis), Trent Yamagata (Toro), Kirra Baughn (Teresita), Caris Leong (Francisca), Pualalea Slover (Consuela), Rain Young (Estella), KC Ann Olivas (Rosalia), Ken Roberts (Shrank), Brandon Yim (Glad Hand), Ioani Camacho (Krupke), Joe Martyak (Doc), Kalani Hicks (Shrank Cover), and Jasmine Weldon (Swing).

The technical crew is headed by Deanne Kenndy (set designer), Stephen Clear (lighting designer), Emily Lane (costume designer), Michael Minor and La Fa’amausili-Siliato (sound designers), Kyle Conner (props designer), and Aiko Schick (hair and make-up designer).

If you have tickets for performances that have been canceled, call the box office at (808) 733-0274. Regular hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends during production days…

And that’s Show Biz…

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‘HI’IAKA’ LOOMS BIG; TRYOUTS SET

The legendary tale of Hi‘iaka, historically part of the Hawaiian oral tradition and notably passed on from generation to generation through song and dance, has been honed and developed as an eventual spectacle on Broadway. It’s been on the burner since 2019, and final auditions are ahead to cast the production.

The spectacle is due to debut on Broadway this October, with details still forthcoming.

 The Hawaiian story has all the epic elements of high drama, based on the goddess Hi‘iaka – full name, Hi‘iakaikapoliopele – whose quest is to find her sister Pele’s dream lover, restore him to life, and deliver him safely to Pele, the volcano goddess at her crater home on the Big Island. With Pele among the characters, there should be some explosive eruptions of sorts.

Of course, it is not a simple journey filled with ordeals and dangers, but one very much alive with a  very human retelling of love and lust, with challenges of jealousy and justice,  with deities and chiefs, commoners and demons, and  a potential fall out of the two sisters.

Michael Jackowitz

Essentially, the story is about two goddesses, who happen to be sisters, and thus boasts grandeur as well as grace. It is storytelling with cultural impact, with collaborative input by the legendary stage and film visionary Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Godspell,” “Pippin,” “Children of Eden,” “The Prince of Egypt”), Broadway guidance by stage producer Michael Jackowitz {“How To Succeed in Business Without ReallyTrying,” “tick, tick, Booml”) and stalwart Hawaiians Roslyn Catracchio (music and lyrics) and Patrick Makuakane (choregraphy, music and lyrics). Keali’i Reichel (multi Na Hoku Hanahano Award winner, recording artist and kumu hula) was an advisor in preliminary development of the show, along with Schwartz).

The production, earlier utilzing the title “Hi’iaka,” now boasts a formal new name, “The Epic Tale of Hi‘iaka: A New Hawaiian Musical.” The operative word is “Hawaiian.” The story will be told – with a roster of vivid and atmospheric Hawaiian songs, dances, and chants – and performed by a cast of Hawaiian artists on both sides of the limelight.

Roslyn Catracchia

Once cast. “Hi’iaka” will loom as a mammoth cultural spectacle with pulsating and harmonizing vocals rendered in traditional Hawaiian, with choreography and costuming unlike anything ever seen and heard on the Great White Way.

Applicants should designate voice range and roles sought; audition documents and head shots must be submitted by Feb. 15, with call backs to follow. Email applications to  castinghiiaka@gmail.com

The creative team boasts remarkable star-studded notables:

  • Book, Music and Lyrics: Roslyn Catracchia and Patrick Makuakane.
  • Original Story: Ho’oulumahiehie.
  • Hawaiian Consultant: Puakea Nogelmeier.
  • Stage Director: Scott Schwartz.
  • Choreographer: Patrick Makuakane.
Patrick Makuakane
  • Scenic Designer: Kevin Depinet.
  • Costume Designer: Manaola.
  • Music Supervisor: Brad Haak.
  • Orchestrations and Instrumental Track Production:  David Kauahikaua.
  • Hawaiian Music Advisor: Shawn Pimental.
  • Musical Arrangements:  David Kauahikaua and Brad Haak.
  • Producers: Michael Jackowitz for WitzEnd Productions and Kuhio Lewis for Hawaiian Council.
  • Associate Director: Melanie Lockyer.
  • Associate Choreographer: Christine Yasunaga.
  • Costume Coordinator: Maile Speetjens.
  • Preliminary Artwork: Solomon Enos.
  • Keyart by Mance Creative for Rubicon Theatre Company.
  • State of Hawaii Tourism/Creative Industries Division Consultant: Georja Skinner.
  • Marketing:  NMG Networks.
  • PR Consultant: Adrian Kamali‘i.
  • Casting Director: Aubrey Lee Staley
  • Advisors During Development: Keali’i Reichel and Stephen Schwartz.

Footnotes:

Prolific author: Ho‘oulumāhiehie, credited as original story writer, was a prolific Hawaiian (The Epic Tale of Hi‘iakaikapoliopele), which ran in the newspaper Ka Na‘i Aupuni in 1905–1906. His 500-page narrative is renowned for containing 375 chants, and vivid portrayal of the goddess Pele and the scholar and author was best known for chronicling the epic saga Ka Mo‘olelo o Hi‘iakaikapoliopeler, sister Hi‘iaka.

Stephen Schwartz

Father and Son: Stephen Schwartz (“Wiz” icreaator) is the father of Scott Schwartz. 

Principal roles:

  • Hi’iaka, the youngest of the sisters and the favorite of Pele.
  • Pele, the volcano goddess.
  • Lohiau, chief of Kauai and Pele’s lover.Hopoe, Hi ‘iaka’s best friend.
  • Wahine: Hi ‘ika’s most trusted ally and traveling companion.
  • Kane: God of procreation…

‘Chicago’ returns to Broadway’s Top 10

“Chicago,” one of the longest-running Broadway hits, surged its way to No. 7 this week – a remarkable return to the charts.

“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” continues to be Broadway’s top-grossing play, earning $2.339 million for the week ending Feb. 8.

 “Chicago” landied at No 7.

The Top 10:

1—”Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $2.339 million

2—”Hamilton,” $1.848 million

3—”Wicked,” $1.596 million

4—”The Lion King,” $1.514 million

5—”Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” $1.400 million

6—”Chess,” $1.379 million

7—”Chicago,” $1.316 million

8—”Just in Time,” $1.314 million

9—”Oedipus,” $1.212 million

10—“Ragtime,” $1.090 million

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway Guild:

And that’s Show Biz…