Category: Stage

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REVIEW: ‘FOREVER PLAID’ IS FOREVER GLAD

“Forever Plaid,” a modest, nostalgic off-Broadway musical about a fictional four-part-harmony group, has been extended for four more performances (through June 13) at Diamond Head Theatre. Go see it, if you can; you’ll be forever glad.

The “Forever Plaid” foursome: front, Will Thomson as Sparky, rear, Tyler Devere as Jinx, Ryan Michel as Frankie, and Scott Fikse as Smudge. — Photo by Brandon Miyagi, courtesy Diamond Head Theatre.

It is the perfect confection for this ongoing pandemic, with a small  four-member cast, an orchestra of two, and one set against which four lads appear in sort of a dream sequence since they perished in a crash en route to a gig where they specialize in boy-group harmonics of the 1950s. The title alludes to the group’s fondness of plaid, and there are four of ‘em, and they idolize the Four Freshmen.

That’s all the subtext you need to know to enjoy this stroll down memory lane.

Tyler Devere appears as Jinx, Scott Fikse as Smudge, Ryan Michel as Frankie, and Will Thomson as Sparky, whose vocal ranges, when combined, result in sweet harmonics suitable for songs of the era, including “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “No Not Much,” “Rags to Riches,” and “Moments to Remember.”

As lovingly directed and choreographed by Andrew Sakaguchi, who played Smudge in a 1997 mounting of this bon-bon at the unlikely Waikiki restaurant-club called Hula Hut in 1997, “Forever Plaid” represents the naivete and niceties of a kinder, gentler time in entertainment.

Its flashback motif works, in this era of pandemic stress, and DHT’s revival is an opportune vehicle to move back into show mode, albeit with caution and safety. Masks are required for entry and watching, and social distancing protocols remain. The tradeoff is a feel-good feeling as you exit the theater.

The show, created by Stuart Ross, lowers the bar considerably in the production realm, but succeeds in keeping reality in check; DHT has a full slate of creative talent at play, without the overhead of an overblown product in a financially distressed time.

The four gents are genial and appealing, engaging in minimal but essential choreographics, which require some dancing feats but more hand motions and body action. Agility is a must, for a visually hilarious panorama of  3 minutes and 11 seconds of the antics during an Ed Sullivan Show, embracing such warm remembrances including Topo Gigio, my-name-Jose Jimenez, jugglers and accordionist, spinning plates and hula, Senor Wences and his hand puppet Johnny, in the host’s “really big shoe.”

Remaining shows: 4 p.m. today (June 7), 7:30 p.m. June 11, 3 and 7:30 p.m. June 12 and 4 p.m. June 13. Tickets: $22 at www.diamondheadtheatre.com.

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BROADWAY OPENINGS: ‘MJ’, ‘TINA’ AND ‘SIX’

Three new titles will join the Broadway reopening pulse this fall and winter.

“MJ,” a musical with 25 Michael Jackson songs, will bow Dec. 6 at the Neil Simon Theatre. The production will explore and magnify the energy behind the man in the mirror, who is one of the undisputed entertainment legends.

“Tina – the Tina Turner Musical” will resume production on Oct. 8 at the Lunt-FontanneTheatre. It was one of the hits of the past season, but shuttered because the pandemic. The show is a stunning and inspiring comeback story of the superstar who challenged the bounds of racism, sexism and ageism, becoming the radiant Queen of  Rock ‘n’ Roll.

“Six,” which has become an international, premieres Sept. 17 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.The concept is to trace 500 years of the the six wives of Henry VII, reimagined as the tudor queens and pop princesses with 21st century girl power.

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HTY’S ‘HI WAY’ NOMINATED FOR EMMYS

The Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s “The HI Way” television series has been nominated for six regional Emmy Awaards.

The theater group had to pivot from live productions to virtual because of last year’s pandemic, and since March 2020, the resident ensemble has produced 21 half-hour episodes that have connected with more than 4 million views via TV stations.

“HTY’s shift to digital production would not have been possible without the incredible support we received from our community partners,” said Becky Dunning, HTY managing director. Supporters included government and foundation grantors, she said, along with corporate donors and community individuals “who recognized the importance of keeping Hawaii children engaged and excited about learning during the pandemic.”

Eric Johnson, HTY’s artistic director, commended teachers who embraced the show’s content for distance-learning and in-person classes, and said the shows “celebrates what is unique about our culture, lifting up local stories and perspectives, and celebrating the values of diversity, environmental stewardship and aloha.”

Gerard Elmore

The six nominated episodes are “Pono,” “Respect Racism,” “Energy” and “Da Holidays,” with a special nominee in Gerard Elmore, who directed “Surfing.”

Episodes for season three are now televised on Hawaii News Now stations as well as the theater’s website, www.htyweb.org.

Season four premieres in fall of this year. …

DHT’s nostalgic ‘Forever Plaid’ opens May 28

“Forever Plaid,” an off-Broadway musical  brimming with nostalgia and tuneful oldies, opens May 28 at Diamond Head Theatre, eight performances through June 5. Facial masks are required to attend, with social distancing protocols prevailing, meaning limited seating in the theater.

The show has a heavenly twist;  four buddies named Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie head to a gig when a school bus collides with their car, terminating their career. But the stars were aligned and the group’s fate is reborn so the foursome can continue its musical journey.

The show is a tribute to 19502 guy-group music – think the Four Seasons from another era – with emphasis on four-part harmony. Thus, the score features the likes of Four Freshmen, Four Aces and Four Lads and titles such as “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “No Not Much,” “Moments to Remember,” “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing,” “Rags to Riches,” and “Shangri-La.”

Andrew Sakaguchi returns home from New York to direct and choreograph, with Maika‘i Nash conducting the orchestra.

The cast features Tyler Devere as Jinx, Scott Fikse as Smudge, Ryan Michel as Frankie and Will Thomson as Sparky.

Playdates: 7:30 p.m. May 28, 7:30 p.m. May 29, 4 p.m. May 30, 7:30 p.m. June 3, 7:30 p.m. June 4, 3 p.m. June 5, 7:30 p.m. June 5 and 4 p.m. June 6.

Tickets: $22 at diamondheadtheatre.com …

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Remembering Willie K

Willie K will be remembered in a Celebration of Life in the form of a drive-through from 2 to 4 p.m. May 18 at the Wahikuli Wayside State Park on Maui.

Willie K

The Kahaiali‘i ‘Ohana – Willie’s family and friends – is presenting the drive-through, in a one-way traffic route below the Lahaina Fire Station.

Some traffic restrictions will be in place, with no-left turns and no-parking in the nearby lots.

Uncle Willie, the beloved entertainer, died May 18 2020,

He is widely known for his expansive musical repertoire, ranging from old-style Hawaiian to the blues, from operatic arias to country tunes, from contemporary Hawaiiana to jazz. He was a regular at several Maui sites and the Blue Note Hawaii club in Waikiki, where he serenaded his fans monthly until illness prevented him from performing.

Willie Awihilima Kahaiali‘i is survived by his wife, Debbie Kahaiali‘I and children Karshaun, Max, Lycettiana and Antoinette. …

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And that’s “Show Biz.” …

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BROADWAY IS READY, BUT I’M NOT

Start spreading the news. New York theater will be aglow again. Broadway is in reopening mode, with the main thrust coming this fall.

But…

I’m not, and I’m not certain you are either.

I’d take the direct flight to JFK, if I’m flying Hawaiian. Or if I opt for United, the destination is Newark.

Either way, NYC is on my radar now. But I am cautiously optimistic of a smooth reopening, but I likely will wait till spring 2022,

The newbie shows I’d love to see are:

* “Mrs. Doubtfire,” the comedy that starred Robin Williams on film, set to open Oct. 24 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York.

* “Music Man,” beginning Dec. 20, at the Winter Garden Theatre. This one features Hugh Jackman as Professor Harold Hill and Sutton Foster co-star.

But there might be  T-R-O-U-B-L-E ahead, borrowing the song from “Music Man.”

Why? Ticketing websites are already selling seats for the new shows and the perennial favorites, lined up like racehorses, for the opening bell. Since New York claims the theaters will be like the pre-pandemic days, there shouldn’t be open seats between patrons. What happens if protocols and rules change? Do you forfeit seats?  Who stays and who preys for open spaces, if that happens, and will you have wiggle room that fits into your hotel bookings?

Many wonderments. Not many precise details yet.

If you’re planning a fall visit, the marquees should be glowing with these attractions:

• “Hamilton,” beginning Sept. 14, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Now you can finally get your “shot.”

• “Wicked,” returning Sept. 14, at the Gershwin Theatre. Green will be the keen face color again.

• “The Lion King,” roaring in Sept. 14, at the Minskoff Theatre. Can you feel the love already?

• “Chicago,” starting Sept. 14, at the Ambassador Theatre. It’ll be razzle dazzle time, with all that jazz.

• “The Phantom of the Opera,” resuming Oct. 22, at the Majestic Theatre. Watch out for the falling chandelier and bask in the music of the night.

• “Diana,” premiering Dec. 1, at the Longacre Theatre. A musical about the beloved Princess of Wales.

• “Ain’t Too Proud,” opening Oct. 16, at the Imperial Theatre. Relieve Motown magic and music.

• “Jagged Little Pill,” returning in Oct. 21, at the Longacre Theatre. Music by Alanis Morissette.

• “Come From Away,” opening Sept. 1, at the Schoenfeld Theatre. The Canadian hospitality blooms again, post 911.

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ON STAGE: TWO LOVELORN COMEDIES

Curiously, two island theater stages will offer comedies focusing on lovelorn columnists in the weeks ahead.

  • At Diamond Head Theatre, “The Lady With all the Answers,” premiers April 23. It’s a play by David Rambo, inspired by the newspaper column, “Dear Ann Landers,” that explored romance, heartbreak, and inquiries from singles and couples with a myriad problems, in search of resolution. Esther Pauline Lederer is the actual columnist whose pen name was Ann Landers, and she helped thousands of folks to sort out issues that plagued them in their daily lives, when, in fact, she was personally struggling with her own problems. The show runs through May 2. Tickets: $22.

Call 733-0174 or visit www.diamondheadtheatre.com

  • At Manoa Valley. Theatre, “Tiny Beautiful Things,” about a struggling woman writer who takes an unpaid role as an advice columnist, debuts May 23. The play, by Cheryl Strayed, looks at a fictional writer trying to overcome problems big and small, attempting to resolve questions that have no immediate answers. The show will run through May 23. Tickets: $40 adults, $35 seniors and military, $22 youths 25 and younger. Call 988-6131 or visit manoavalleytheatre.com

At both theaters, social distancing procedures will be in place and face masks are required for admission.