It’s been a while since I’ve dined at Panya, at Ward Village, so when my pal Kevin Iwamoto was visiting – and our Soldier Boy nephew, John Rhoades, was on vacation from Army duties at Fort Liberty, N.C. – Vi and I ventured to Panya for lunch.
Vi opted for the lup cheong friend rice, John chose the oyako donburi, and Kevin and I chopsticked our way through the Shanghai-style udon, upon my suggestion.
For dessert, Kevin had the bread pudding; I chose the crème brulee.
We all loved our choices; Kevin even returned the next evening to have the fried rice. Too much of a good thing? Not really.
Can’t go wrong with the Asian dishes, but if you’re the burger-with-fries type, that’s on the menu, too.
Panya’s menu is ‘wonderfull and dependable.!
Vi, Kevin, me and John, at Panya; below, Kevin and me.
Two of Hawaii’s finest entertainers bring their special Christmas repertoire to Chef Chai’s in December.
Robert Cazimero’s (pictured below) Full Moon concert, usually a one-nighter, will be staged for five evenings, from Dec. 13 to 17, and yes, he’ll mix Hawaiian and holiday tunes from his keyboard to suit the yuletide spirit. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $99, including dinner. Reservations at https://chefchai.com/monthly-full-moon-concert/
Amy Hanaiali‘i (pictured below) also will stage a Christmas show Dec. 20 and 21 — not certain the logistics of her event, since there’s no formal stage at Chai’s. But she’s bringing along bottles of her signature Hanaiali‘i wine. Tickets: $195, including dinner. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m. Reservations: https://chefchai.com/chai-reservations/
Meanwhile, at the Hawaii Theatre…
The Hawaii Theatre has assembled several shows of interest over the next few weeks. A select list:
The Platters’ “Very Merry Christmas Show” plays a tad early, at 7 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Hawaii. Tickets: $65 to $85, at www.hawaiitheatre.com
Comedian Margaret Cho’s (pictured left) got a date at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Hawaii. Tickets: $74 to to $94, at www.hawaiitheatre.com
The Makaha Sons unveil their Christmas show at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Hawaii. Guest stars include John Cruz and Melveen Leed. Tickets: $40 to $75, at www.hawaiitheatre.com
Na Leo Pilimehana joins the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra in “Hapa Harmony,” offering a yuletide agenda at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Tickets: $27 to $99, at www.hawaiitheatre.com
Kalani Pe‘a will be in a Hawaiian Christmas mood, at 7 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Hawaii. Tickets: $45 to $100, at www.hawaiitheatre.com
The Clairvoyants’ Holiday Special takes the spotlight at 8 p.m. Dec. 30 at the Hawaii. Tickets: $55 to $75, at www.hawaiitheatre.com …
Why Audy missed the Lifetime Achievement event
Audy Kimura (pictured right), a previous Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner was a no-show at the recent Na Hoku Lifetime Achievement at the Royal Hawaiian’s Monarch because he had a previous engagement out of town.
As he said in an email, “I’ve been in LA for a little work and a reunion of people who worked at the legendary Ocean Way recording studio before it closes. It’s where Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, and countless others recorded. I recorded my last two albums there and was mentored by the owner since 1977. One of the most iconic studios in the world.”
He provided an acceptance speech because he couldn’t change his travel dates due to the imminent closure of the recording studio. …
Broadway grosses, week ending Nov. 5
There has been for $2 million club winner among the Broadway shows in production, thus “The Lion King” – which has been a $2 million winner – remains the king of the jungle.’
The Top 10:
1—“The Lion King,” $1,983 million.
2 – “Wicked,” $1,834 million.
3 – “Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,811 million.
4—“Hamilton,” $1.768 million.
5 – “MJ the Musical,” $1,539 million.
6 – “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” $1,459 million.
7 – “Moulin Rouge the Musical,” $1,230 million.
8 – “Aladdin,: $1,212 million.
9 – “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $1,190 million.
10 – “Back to the Future the Musical,”$1,063 million.
Here’s one to add to your upcoming holiday agenda:
Keali’i Reichel (pictured below), one of Hawaii’s foremost singers and kumu hula, will return to Waikiki for fall performances at Blue Note Waikiki at the Outrigger Waikiki resort.
Reichel’s mele, enhanced with hula by his dancing entourage, provide a spectrum of tuneful melodies, many with Hawaiian roots, some with contemporary seasoning. He is best known for his first hit tune, “Kawaipunahele,” but his compositions and recordings over the decades have become part of the soundtrack of island life.
Reichel will star in a five-show, four-night gig, as follows:
Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 18, 6:30 and 9 p.m.
Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m
Doors open at 5 p.m. all nights and 8:30 p.m. for Saturday’s second show..
Tickets: $125 for premium seating, $85 for loge seating and the bar zone; available at www.bluenotehawaii.com or (808) 777-4890.
Others heading for the Blue Note
Holiday season attractions on the Blue Note calendar include:
Anuhea headlines a Thanksgiving two-nighter, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Nov. 24 and 25. Tickets: $45 and $35.-
Frank DeLima stages a holiday brunch show at 1 p.m. Dec. 3 Tickets: $45 and $35.
Don McLean serves his “Amerian Pie” at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 and 3. Tickets: $125 and $65.
Henry Kapono & Friends’ holiday show, themed “Merry Christmas to You,” unwraps at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Tickets: $45 and $35.
Wayne Newton (pictured right) makes his Blue Note debut with a four-night schedule, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Dec. 7 through 10. Tickets: $125 and $85.
Kimie Miner & Friends take the stage at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16. Tickets: $45 and $35.
“Ho‘okena for the Holidays” is the group’s yuletide show, at 4 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Tickets: $45 and $35.
Raiatea Helm has a one-nighter at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18.Tickets: $45 and $35.
Paula Fuga will presents her “Home for the Holidays” pre-Christmas star at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Dec. 22 and 23. Tickets: $45 and $35. …
If you adore musical theater, love the shows of Rodgers & Hammerstein, miss the Golden Age of Broadway musicals and want to see a splendid cast of local talent — mostly troupers who performed these songs under the tutelage of the late Ron Bright — head over to Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College tonight (Sept. 30) and tomorrow afternoon (Oct. 1).
The attraction is “An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein Classics,” the first tunefest produced by the I’m A Bright Kid (IABK) foundation since the pandemic shut down Broadway fare and limiting the IABK focus to summertime kid-centric shows.
This one’s a wow. Wow, wow, wow!
This latest concoction collates titles from R&H’s Big Five shows, “The King and I,” “Carousel,” “South Pacific,” “The Sound of Music,” and “Oklahoma!”
The opening first notes and lyrics from “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” featuring the solo voice of the incomparable Michael Bright, provides a chicken skin moment and underlying theme of the production: It was a grand night for listening and reminiscing and applauding.
Directed by Ligaya Stice, IABK executive director, the evening was a concise, luminous, rapturous, and gratifying tapestry from the R&H songbook, filled with familiar melodies staged simply but effectively, minus the usual costumes and storytelling, but periodically embracing choreography and demonstrating a Mr. B trait: family virtues and participation.
The performers include many Brights, including the aforementioned Michael, Mr. B’s younger son and his wife Jade Bright, and a cluster of grandchildren, Caitlin Bright, Colton Bright, Drew Bright, plus another musical Bright, elder son Clarke Bright, in a rare role – drummer in the band of four.
Jade Stice, resident diva of IABK, works her magic.
Highlights:
Jade Stice is the undeniable IABK resident diva, who owns whatever she sings. Her best moment is her “Bali Hai” solo, making the mythic island real. She also is radiant on “Something Wonderful,” and works her magic amid kids on “My Favorite Things.”
Michael Bright is a proven soloist, time after time, and “Younger Than Springtime” validates his vigor; with wife JadeBright, “I Have Dreamed” is a sweet anthem of hope, while “People Will Say We’re in Love,” rings true as bona fide romantics.
Buz Tennent, rarely seen or heard lately, has an operatic baritone voice, capable of reaching those low, low notes, and he uses it well, notably on the classic “Some Enchanted Evening,” which might be deemed his nighttime hit here, and “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” which showcases his eloquence with a sunny stroke.
Mary Hicks is entrusted with the inspirational fare, and she makes her soprano glow on “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” and is one of the forces on “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” joined by Caitlin Bright, Jade Bright, Caris Leong, Jodi Leong, Jade Stice, and Azaliah Kekuna.
Bryce-William Irvine contributes a rhapsodic “If I Loved You,” demonstrating leading man potential and confidence.
The teen pendulum swings engagingly, with Drew Bright and Azaliah Kekuna swapping teen emotions on “Sixteen Going on Seventeen.”
Two group efforts are fun and charming. “There Is Nothing Like a Dame” is a playful romp, delivered by Colton Bright, Drew Bright, Kainalu Durkin, Bryce-William Irvine, Allan Lau, Damian Mendez, and Devon Nekoba. The youthful singing ensemble combines rollicking dancing on “Do-Re-Mi,” featuring Caitlin Bright, Colton Bright, Drew Bright, Azaliah Kekuna, Mikaela Freitas, Bailey Fujita, Aniylah Henry, and Jake Sato.
The “Rodgers and Hammerstein” cast takes a final curtain bow.
The staging is spartan yet efficient, comprising a platform designed by DeAnne Kennedy, for musicians So Jin Kimura (piano), Lynell Bright (keyboard), John Kolivas (bass) and Clarke Bright (drums); two staircases boast platforms for singers/dancers.
A dozen background panels enable projection of images (designed by Anna Foster), providing archival images from Mr. B’s past shows.
Clarke Bright (music director) and So Jin Kimura (vocal director) are multi-tasking musicians.
Lighting designer Janine Myers, sound designer Kings Kalohelani and hair and makeup designers Kevin Murata and Mia Yoshimoto provide stellar tech support…
And that’s Show Biz…
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“An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein Classics”
A musical revue of Rodgers and Hammerstein evergreens, from “King & I,” “South Pacific,” “Oklahoma!,” “Carousel” and “Sound of Music,” reflecting the favorite titles of the late Ron Bright.
Tickets: Premium, $32; adult, $27; seniors 65+, students up to 13, military, $22: children 6-12, $17; free, toddlers 2 to 5; babies under 2 not allowed; reservations at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/75827 …
