ANNOUNCING…
LIKE SANTA, CAZIMERO MAKING ROUNDS
Robert Cazimero will be in Santa Claus mode, minus the red suit and white beard, this holiday season, making the rounds at two venues.
He has two separate shows – a pair of major performances, with his hula halau involved, at Leeward Community College this weekend (Saturday night and Sunday afternoon – Dec. 9 and 10) – plus five more intimate performances, when he’s at the piano at Chef Chai Dec. 13 to 17.
“‘Tis the season,” Cazimero said, in an email from Tokyo. “I can’t believe the Christmas concert is almost here. I’ve been working on it since July.”
He added, “I’m excited for it (the Leeward production) and nervous at the same time. What makes things solid for me is the fact that I am surrounded with great people. The crew at Leeward Community College, my cast of dancers, singers, and musicians, as well as good friends and family members never go unappreciated. It is my life, and I am loving it.”
The theater at the Leeward campus, has been a viable showcase for his singing from his keyboard and spacious enough for his singing/dancing Hālau Nā Kamalei o Līlīlehua.
“The concert will be full of wonderful things that most people would expect. Great singing, dancing, fun things, surprises, and opportunities to reflect on gratitude and wonder.”
The key to the annual Kalikimaka spectacle – besides kumu hula Cazimero—is the versatile ensemble of male dancers who can sing beside dance and also play drums.
Another watchable element is the array of costumes – ancient and contemporary Hawaiian as well as casual attire, dependent on the ‘olelo – and if you’re seated near the stage, a photo op for sure.
Because it’s the Christmas season, the concert will engage familiar carols.
Cazimero is keen on themes, so the first half is themed Green, the second half is White.
As for the Chef Chai shows, the format is casual and commonly unscripted. His gig here usually is one-nighter, themed Full Moon Concert, with two hula dancers. But because of demand, the booking was expanded to five nights.
It’s a dinner show, so plan to eat while watching.
“A Robert Cazimero Christmas”
What: A celebration of the holidays, featuring Hawaiian and holiday music and dance
When: At 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and 2 p.m. Dec. 10
Where: Leeward Community College Theatre
Tickets: $30 to $55, available at the Leeward box office at (808) 455-0385 or online https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=leecc
“Full Moon Christmas Concert” “
What: a casual show with Robert Cazimero at the keyboard.
When: Dec. 13 through 17, with dinner from 5:30 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Chef Chai
Tickets: $99, includes a hearty meal, at cheffai.com/chai-reservations/ or (808) 585-0011
Meanwhile, on Broadway, the ‘Lion’ roars
Looks like “The Lion King” will be king of the Broadway jungle, as it continues to occupy No. 1 on the weekly gross compilation, courtesy The Broadway League.
The top 10 grossing shows:
1—”The Lion King,” $2,399 million.
2—”Wicked,” $2,109 million.
3—“Hamilton,” $1,972 million.
4—”Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,833 million.”
5—“MJ The Musical,” $1,643 million.”
6—”Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,”
7—”Aladdin,” $1,499 million.
8—”Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” $1,402million.
10—“Back To The Future: The Musical,” $1,191 million.
The complete run-down:
And that’s Show Biz…
STORIES BEHIND SIX CHRISTMAS PINS
Don’t ask me why, but I’m particularly fond of these six Christmas pins…so I’ll likely keep ‘em for perhaps a season.
The little boy charm has, what else, charm.
The six wee glass Christmas trees make me ponder the three wise men (I made about six of these pins, since I had a bunch of the little trees).
Two Christmas bulbs reflect the classic hues of the holidays, red and green.
I adore the little green gingerbread boy; made me recall the “Sesame Street” anthem, ”It’s not easy being green,” sung by Kermit the frog.
The mini nutcracker in wood is “different,” with its tall hat and sit-down pose with two black boots sticking out in its sitting position.
This Santa’s cap features an iridescent red glow, plus a customary cotton-white pompom and band.
Each pin possesses a story of its own, eh?
ZEKE KEKUNA JOINING ‘THE LION KING’
A Hawaii lad from Kaneohe, Ezekiel Ko‘iaweawe Gamiao Kekuna, is one of four minor actors who will join the cast of the phenomenal Tony Award-winning Disney musical, “The Lion King,” beginning Dec. 5.
Zeke, who is a sixth grader at Kapunahala Elementary School, will portray Young Simba, sharing the role with Albert Rhodes Jr., with two girls, Annika Franklin and Nia Thompson, double-cast as Young Nala.
All the youths are making their debut on the Great White Way.
Zeke, pictured, who has been in rehearsals in New York for the past month, is no stranger to the stage. He has been a part of the I’m a Bright Kid (Foundation) Summer Program every year since 2018 and has an enviable list of credits, including Diamond Head Theatre’s “The Bodyguard” and in IABK’s “This is Me” at Paliku Theatre. He also has performed with Marcelo Pacleb’s 24-VII Danceforce group.
But musicals are in Zeke’s family DNA, since brother Ezra Kekuna, and sister Azaliah Kekuna also sing, act and dance, following in the footsteps of their mother, Sarahlea Gamiao Kekuna whose mentor was the late Ron Bright, at Castle High School and Paliku. Mom Sarahlea is accompanying Zeke on this journey, so dad Kawaiolu “Billy” Kekuna is home, holding down the fort.
In the past, Hawaii minors – now adult actors – have performed on the Broadway stage. “Les Miserables,” another hot ticket, has featured Jason Tam as Gavroche, Ryan Rumbaugh as Gavroche, and Janel Parrish as Young Cosette. This year, Milo Maharlika is touring in “Les Miz,” portraying Gavroche, but his is not a Broadway gig.
Zeke is earning his union card, with this engagement, and he’s truly lucky: “The Lion King” is Broadway’s hottest ticket now, with a gross of $1,944,894 for the week ending Nov. 19. (See chart below).
Customarily, Broadway companies offer six-month contracts to youth actors, since they shoot up – get tall – pretty quickly and there is a height restrictions for certain roles.
Zeke is of Filipino, Hawaiian, African-American, Native-American, Irish and English descent – a walking United Nation – and with his joy and potential, who knows? He could play Simba, the father lion, or Scar, the nasty uncle, when he’s older, in the next chapter of his career.
“He’s a wonderful performer and a great kid,” said a proud Allan Lau, president of the I’m a Bright Kid Foundation, about Zeke’s Broadway opportunity. Lau oversees the company’s summer program, where the seed was sowed in Zeke’s journey to the stage, almost as if Mr. B scripted this achievement. It’s a feather in the Bright franchise….
More good news for IABK
It’s been nothing but good news for IABK, which received a $25,000 donation from the Honolulu Cookie Company, which is commemorate its 25th anniversary, with grants to three local non-profits. IABK is one, along with the Malama Aina Foundation and Kupu.
“Honolulu Cookie Company has supported our summer program since its inception in 2017,” said IABK. “A heartfelt mahalo to Ryan Sung, President of Honolulu Cookie Company; Keith and Janet Sung, Executive Vice Presidents; and Kathy Arasaki, Senior Vice President. We are so grateful for your support.” …
“The Lion King” drawing nearly $2 million
Zeke is joining the Disney musical at a great time; for the week ending Nov. 19 (newer figures are due this week). The show is just a whisker away from the $2 million mark.
See the grosses, courtesy The Broadway Group:
And that’s Show Biz. …
A SPECIAL NOTE OF THANKFULNESS
One reason I’m extra thankful this Thanksgiving today.
It’s our 55th anniversary for Vi and me.
We customarily have been celebrating Nov. 23 — for the past few decades, anyway — with a dinner for two at Roy’s in Hawaii Kai.
But being Thanksgiving day, and my recent health issues, we’ll toast with a quiet dinner at home.
I am particularly grateful for Vi’s comforting support following my health challenges in early August when I was hospitalized for 10 days in Queen’s. She has been nursing me 24/7 since, and the journey continues. Love you, Vi. And mahalo plenty.