Category: Updates

Jason Momoa, the Nanakuli native who’s become a Hollywood superstar, will take on the leading role, co-write the screenplay, and serve as an executive producer, of a historical project that will probe the unification and colonization of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

“Chief of War,” earlier announced as an AppleTV+ film, will view island history from an indigenous point of view.
The project will film here this fall, so Momoa has scheduled two casting calls in July, with specific needs for adult men and women of Hawaiian and Polynesian descent, including Maori prospects. The search will include speaking roles, too.

The audition dates:

• July 15, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Waianae Intermediate School Cafeteria.
•  July 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Bishop Museum.

The film will focus during the turn of the 18^th century, when there were four major kingdoms of Hawaii, engaged in wars. The story is historically true, about Kai‘ana, a war chieftain, who travels the world outside of Hawaii and discovers his island home is being invaded and anticipates that the kingdoms would not be able to survive the power of foreign interests. Thus, Kai‘ana returns home to find a bloody campaign and joins the fight for unity.

Momoa will star as Kai‘ana, who also was known as the Prince of Kauai. Momoa is co-writing the script with collaborators Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett and Doug Jung.  He has been particularly passionate about “Chief of War,” because he was born in Nanakuli and is part Hawaiian, making him a certified keiki o ka ‘aina.

Applicants must be residents of Hawaii, 18 years or older, and experienced actors as well as newcomers are invited. Other audition details are posted here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbb37YGO0ff/

“Chief of War” will be streamed on AppleTV+, where Momoa had his foot in the Apple door as a star for two seasons as Baba Voss, in the just concluded action-drama, “See.”…

Broadway grosses, week ending June 26

With Hugh Jackman returning to the cast of  “The Music Man,” the Meredith Wilson musical, after a post-Tony bought with COVID 19, the show has an attendance bounce, topping a $3.2 million gross once again, besting “Hamilton” and its $2.2 million take last week. “The Lion King” was third, with $2.1 million.

The outlook:

And that’s Show Biz. …

Just asking…

If Consolidated Theatres show an on-screen commercial about Coke Zero, aka Zero Sugar Coke, wouldn’t you think that they should stock that Coca-Cola product at their refreshment counters at all theaters?

I can order and receive Coke Zero at the Koko Marina theater, with no problem; but at Kahala and Ward Center, they don’t serve this particular choice.

When you nestle into your seat, the Coke Zero advertisement is screened. Regularly.

Coke’s wasting  its ad dollars, don’tcha think?

The Phantom in “The Phantom of the Opera” isn’t the only one donning masks on Broadway.

The Broadway League has just extended the facemask requirement, through June 30, because New York’s COVID-19 alert level has escalated to “high,”despite New York Eric Adams, mayor of New York, just saying that “we are not at the point of mandating masks,” a few days ago.

The cautionary adjustment for mask-wearing applies to indoor settings, which, of course, includes play-going on Broadway.

Among the Broadway community, the mask requirement will be monitored in the weeks ahead, but the possibility of extending the rule till July, or even later,  could happen, depending on the pandemic temperature.

Masks on Broadway have been required since theaters reopened last year; the protocol on proof of vaccination has been removed, like in most communities.

So if you’re heading to Broadway, masks still matter, so bring and wear your masks that cover your noses and mouths. Unlike the Phantom’s, which covers half his face. Oh, the latest actor playing the Phantom is Ben Crawford. …

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Here, there, everywhere…

Ryan Tedder, lead singer  of OneRepublic, was spotted at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The group has been in town for a private concert at the Four Seasons resort at Ko Olina.. The band’s “I Ain’t Worried” tune is in the soundtrack of the Tom Cruise “Top Gun: Maverick” blockbuster, which certainly must be a career boost. …

Brother Noland and Tavana will share the spotlight in a show at 4 p.m. June 25 at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel on the Big Island. Tickets: $35 general, $60VIP, at www.hawaiistars.com …

Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals,  formerly The Young Rascals, will give  six performances at 6:30 and 9 p.m. June 10, 11 and 12 at Blue Note Hawaii. Presume the repertoire will be loaded with flashback Rascals hit, including “My Hawaii,” a fave back in the day that originally featured the voice of Eddie Brigati.  Other hits: “Groovin’,” “Good Lovin’,” “How Can I Be Sure,” “It’s a Beautiful Mornin’,” and  “People Got to be Free.” Tickets: $45, loge and bar area; $55, premium seating;  at www.bluenotehawaii.com or (808) 777-4890…

And that’s Show Biz. …