Say you’re getting married, have a lot of money or a source to get the moolah, and want Bruno Mars to sing “Marry You” as your headliner.
It’s not impossible, and it did happen earlier in September, according to The New York Post, when Troy Brown got hitched to Kristin Ryan at the Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod, MA.
The deep pockets to pay the tab was the groom’s father, who is CEO of Motorola Solutions. His name is Greg Brown, who reportedly had a salary of $20.3 million last year.
Bruno Mars
The Post reported that following dinner, a marching band led guests to a “secret speakeasy,” where guests had to utter the secret password, “Magic,” to receive keys that said “Join us in room 24.”
The clues might have been obvious: “24K Magic” was a monster hit for Hawaii-born Mars.
How long Mars entertained, or what he sang, is not known. How much he was paid is unknown, too, though Scarlet Events, a luxe party planner, indicated that Mars’ standard fee for an event like a wedding starts at $3 million … so the sky’s the limit, budget willing …
New Ballet Hawaii exec director
Kimi Takazawa
Kimi Takazawa is the new executive director of Ballet Hawaii, effective today (Oct. 1). She succeeds John Parkinson, who served the organization for the past 14 years.
Takazawa, most recently the chief operating officer at ‘Olelo Hawaii, has vast leadership and experience with non-profit organizations such as the Boy Scouts and After-School All-Stars.
Former islander Janel Parrish, whose show biz career began when she played Little Cosette here and in Broadway’s “Les Miserables,” will co-star with Ryan Paevy in a Hallmark Christmas movie this coming holiday season.
But she’s not a Hallmark newbie; she previously starred in the rom-com channel’s flicks in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Janel Parrish
Of course, you remember her from “Pretty Little Liars” and “To All the Boys,” among other projects. …
A galactic Cinderella
Cinderella goes galactic in “Interstellar Cinderella,” a University of Hawaii Department of Theatre and Dance and Kennedy Theatre production next month.
The show, a Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) presentation, is based on an award-winning children’s book by the same name, authored by Deborah Underwood. In its Hawaii incarnation, the project will be directed by MFA candidate Taylor Bogan, who also will portray the reimagined heroine in a space adventure incorporating themes of science, courage, kindness and storytelling dreams.
It also will have a streaming element – staged virtually, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 and 2 p.m. Oct. 23 and 24 – because of the prevailing pandemic.
Cinderella takes viewers into the 31st century; she is a space engineer seeking to revolutionize space travel with a new invention. Her prince stages a space parade and she sees it as an opportunity to demonstrate a hyper-warp speed engine. Of course, there is an evil stepmother in the mix.
Tickets: $15 adults, $10 seniors, military, UH faculty-staff, and non-UHM students; $5 students with valid UHM ID; visit showtix4u.com/events/kennedytheatre.
I was saddened by the death Sept. 16 of Jane Powell, legendary star of stage and screen and one of the giants of the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals. Sure, she was from another era, when film actors also were marvelous singers and dancers. She was 92.
Jane Powell
I recall going to see Elizabeth Taylor in the leading role in “The Little Foxes” on Broadway, and I was able to buy house seats, meaning res in prime orchestra locations.
While my wife and I were seated, who should come in the same row, but Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood, who settled to the left of us. Then another Hollywood couple showed up and sat next to us to the right, Jane Powell and her hubby. The four of ‘em headed backstage after the performance, to wish Liz well. I introduced myself to the celebs, before we simply exited the theater in awe of the stars onstage and surrounding us. … and surprise! Wagner and Wood were on the same home-bound United flight, en route to an appearance at a Waikiki hotel, which, coincidentally I covered for the Honolulu Advertiser. …
With the launch of a new TV season Monday (Sept. 20), and “NCIS” mothership switching to the lineup from its long-time Tuesday perch, the newbie “NCIS: Hawai‘i” appears to benefit in the ratings, thanks to its slot following the original show’s 19th season lift-off.
A new franchise — this one filmed in Hawai’i — can always use a helpful boost.
Here’s how the evening played out in the ratings:
— No. 1 – CBS’ “NCIS,” the Mark Harmon foundation of the franchise, attracting an audience of 8.5 million viewers and 0.7 rating in the coveted 18 to 49 age demo, a skosh lower than last season’s debut on a Tuesday night.
— No. 2 — NBC’s “The Voice,” with 7.2 million viewers, topping the demos with a 1.1 rating. Its audience of younger fans reflected the uptick in the demo.
— No. 3 – CBS’“NCIS: Hawai‘i,” with 6.6 million viewers and a 0.5 demo rating. Not bad for the newbie.
Mark Harmon as agent Gibbs.
In fine fashion, there was Harmon, as lead agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, recovering from his boat explosion from last season’s finale, and finally connecting with his team including special agent Timothy McGee (played by Sean Murray). Sure, Gibbs is an often threatening bossman, who often smacks the back of the heads of his agents, but he has their back, and vice versa. That rapport is a two-way street; respect for the honcho, and support for the chief. That camaraderie has been the spine that has kept NCIS on the straight-up as the No. 1 procedural for nearly two decades.
Vanessa Lachey, appearing as Jane Tennant, the first woman leading an NCIS team, must not have gotten the memo, or its script writers didn’t, in the first episode of the “Hawai‘i” installation. Her I’m-the-boss tone quickly created friction with a Navy Capt. Joe Milius, portrayed by Enver Gjokaj, with her colleagues awkwardly jostling for relevance. Leaders need to have mutual respect and sensible work ethics to co-exist and succeed.
Vanessa Lachey as agent Jane Tennant in “NCIS: Hawai’i.”
Tennant is a single mother, so is tasked to shape a comfortable home front while juggling her chores as a head agent. She is called from a soccer match to proceed to a plane deliberately pounding into a mountain, so the mission’s finally launched. At best, Lachey has potential to get that chip off her shoulder and lead the team effort. Might take two or three more episodes for this niggler to settle. Alex Tennant ([portrayed by Kian Talan) is the elder son of the lead character and Julie Tennant (played by Mahina Napolean) is the young sister and both logically can anticipate to be more visible in future episodes when the mother meter ticks.
The Hawai’i investigative team is a quirky lot. Lucy Tara (played by Yasmine Al-Bustami), eager to please and curiously swift to proclaim her standing, has an unexpected lesbian embrace, suggesting future LBGTQ themes down the line.
Kai Holman (played by Alex Tarrant) is a junior squad member returning to Hawai’i to serve, still trying to forget or escape his Waimanalo roots; he looms as a key figure, but seems unsettled about where to set anchor. He looks local/Hawaiian (he’s Maori, Samoan and Niuean) and orders kalua pig, manapua and loco moco from a food wagon, but clearly can’t feign the real-local ways. Yet. One of his issues is in doubting his dad, realistically portrayed by Moses Goods, a keiki o ka ‘aina. You can quickly recognize the legit in the first few utterances and moments. Yep.
Jesse Boone (portrayed by Noah Mills), is a homicide detective settling into a new job in the islands, and has the look and physique that could develop into a popular and major sidekick.
Kate Whistler (played by Tori Anderson) also is an outsider from the Defense intelligence Agency hoping to find her niche in the Pearl Harbor realm and seems to have a path for her own rise on the ladder of investigation—and possible revisit her eyebrow-raising smooch with Agent Tara.
And Ernie Malik (played byJason Antoon) is the sometimes goofy techie /intelligence guy – all procedurals have one – who has to dig up investigative files in quick moves.
When a franchise has four shows total (“Los Angeles” and the original still exist, ‘New Orleans” went to TV heaven), it’s tough to differentiate one from the other, except by setting. The military or cop jargon remain the same, but landscape matters. Problem is, “NCIS: Hawai’i” still has competish from locally-filmed “Magnum P.I.” (aerials, surf, hotels, green mountains when it rains), and frankly, reflecting back to the original “Hawaii Five-0,” “Magnum” and other Hawaii series as “Jake and the Fatman” and “Five-0” reboot, the novelty of sea-shore-sun is long gone. The major difference will be in the art of storytelling, and perhaps some day, bona fide Hawaiians, Asians and Pacific Islanders as principal cast, not secondary backgrounders. (Current fave: “Doogie Kamealoha,” the Disney+ creation, with lots of local faces and manners).
At least in the premiere, the newbie had the smarts to embrace local music in the soundtrack, notably “Island Style.” Words and sounds — meaning our cultural tunes — will boost and establish atmosphere, and further enhance and propel the images.
If nothing else, Lachey’s Tennant character has gusto and guts, speaking her mind, and totally immersing herself in island waters (well, clearly, her stunt double did that finale scene). The best bet going for her, and the island-based show, is the fact that it airs here at 9 p.m., following the mothership at 8 p.m. Mondays. Now it has to earn its own stripes. …
The Hawaii Opera Theatre is the latest victim of the coronavirus pandemic; it has announced the postponement of its fall show slate as well as its fund-raising Opera Ball till 2022..
Andrew Morgan
“My goal since the start of the pandemic has been to find creative artistic outlets of expression that keep opera alive while ensuring the safety of our patrons, staff, artists, and artisans that collectively makeup the HOT ʻOhana,” said Andrew Morgan, HOT’s general director, in a statement. “The generous support of our audience has never been more appreciated and impactful. Truly, there would be no Hawaii Opera Theatre without our dedicated patrons.”
HOT patrons need to add patience to the mix before opera returns to the shuttered Blaisdell Concert Hall.
On the horizon:
— “Re-Emerging: HOT Live in Concert, set for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 and 4 p.m. Jan. 30
— “Opera Ball: The Butterfly Emerges,” rescheduled for 6 p.m. March 26, at the Sheraton Waikiki ballroom.
— “The Tragedy of Carmen,” Feb. 18 and 20 (dates are unchanged).
— “Madame Butterly,” April 8, 10 and 12 (dates are unchanged).
— A December musical show honoring the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, will also be staged, at theHOT rehearsal studio at Hawaiʻi Opera Plaza, 848 S. Beretania. Featuring members of the Mae Zenke Orvis Opera Studio at the University of Hawaii, directed by Jamie Offenbach, HOT artistic director.
Pandemic protocols will prevail at all events: proof of mandatory vaccinations for all staff, artists and artisans; proof of vaxx shots, certification of those with protected exemptions, masks for everyone. Ticket holders may call the HOT box office at 596-7858, or visit HOTTickets@hawaiiopera.org.
Talk about people
Michael Paulo
Sorry to report the ongoing misfortunes within the Paulo musical family.
We earlier mentioned Rene and Akemi Paulo, who caught the COVID-19 virus. They are the patriarch and matriarch of a talented musical family in Hawaii’s history.
Now two other daughters, along with the husband of one, have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, according to musician-saxophonist son Michael Paulo, who so far has managed to dodge the bug.
Again, the family welcomes prayer support, so send positive thoughts and hopes for wellness. …
A Bright kid sings a Disney oli
Colton Bright
Belated congrats to the Ron Bright ‘ohana; Colton Bright, son of Michael and Jade Bright, had a role in Aulani Disney’s 10th celebration recently, singing and recording a special tune.
Colton has appeared in I’m a Bright Kid Foundation shows, the organization preserving and persevering the memory and methods of the late educator-director Mr. B. He recorded an oli, “’O ‘Aulani No Ho‘i Au,” which was part of the hotel’s first decade anniversary. Aunty LinellBright, the music and choir teacher at Kamehameha Schools (who is the wife of Clarke Bright, the eldest son of Ron and Mo Bright), had a hand in making arrangements. The tune was written by Eric Lee (a Disney cast member) and Angela Morales (also a Disney cast member, and one-third of Na Leo who now is Mrs. Ricardo Escontrias, having wed this past June).
Dad Michael commented online, “Our ‘ohana is truly humbled and blessed that Colton had a small role in the celebration.” And you betcha, a proud Poppo, as Ron is called by the grandkids, must have been beaming gratitude and pride from the heavens. …
Ukulele wizard Jake Shimabukuro will be strumming amid a galaxy of stars when “Jake & Friends,” his most ambitious CD yet, is released Nov. 12.
It’s a bona fide party on a platter, when the likes of Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, Kenny Loggins, Jack Johnson, Jimmy Buffet, Michael McDonald, Ziggy Marley, Vince Gill and Amy Grant collaborate with the island-born musician to share, strut, and savor a gamut of musical genres, from pop to country, from blues to folk, from rock to standards.
“Making the album was a real challenge, but I’m deeply honored that all of the artists agreed to record with me,” Shimabukuro said in a statement.
“Jake & Friends” CD
The idea to lasso guest artists began on a modest scale, when Shimabukuro, the prevailing and defining figure of the ukulele movement worldwide, first got country legend Willie Nelson to consent to collaborate on one of his signature tracks, “Stardust.” Nelson at that time also was stretching his reach beyond his usual country corral.
Similarly, Shimabukuro also had been testing the waters to expand his horizons, when he tapped George Harrison’s “The Guitar Gently Weeps,” and gave that bluesy song an ukulele spin, which garnered him widespread attention on YouTube, connecting his talent to the national musical scene.
Jake Shimabukuro
“Stardust” with Nelson’s expressive yet familiar vocal, and “Two High,” featuring a Nashville alt-rock group Moon Taxi, will be the first singles from the milestone CD.
He scored Midler, a fellow Honolulan, to bring his ukulele presence to her luminous and lovely Golden Globe-winning “The Rose,” one of the treats on the disc and one to Bette on, given her popularity.
The roster of other guests is impressive; participants include former Grammy and Country Music Association winners. Beyond the aforementioned names, listen for other crowd-pleasers in Jesse Colin Young, Jon Anderson, Sonny Landreth, Warren Haynes, Ray Benson & Asleep at the Wheel, Lukas Nelson and Billy Strings.
“Looking back on it all now, it feels like a dream,” Shimabukuro said with both pride and relief. “I grew up fantasizing that one day I might be able to meet my musical heroes, and here I am on my own record playing with them. That’s remarkable beyond words. I’m so fortunate to have had this experience, and I can’t wait for people to hear it. I think they’re going to be able to tell that I’m having the time of my life.”
Vanessa Lachey, on Modern Luxury Hawaii magazine cover
There’s not a whole lot of quotable quotes from Vanessa Lachey, who is portraying Jane Tennent, the first female leader of an NCIS unit in CBS’s procedural family of shows, in pre-premiere articles so far. Lachey is going to be the focus on how “NCIS: Hawai’i” fares after it debuts Sept. 20 at 8 p.m., following the launch of the mothership show “NCIS,” at 7 p.m.
Lachey is the cover girl of the current Modern Luxury Hawaii cover, with the piece exploring her juggling her professional life as an actress with that of being a mom of three kids with husband Nick Lachey of the group 98 Degrees, but given the nature of the mag’s audience and focus, the pictorials are fashion-oriented — a missed opportunity to share perhaps the first-on-the-site filming at Pearl Harbor, in her work environment, where much of the show’s plots will be anchored. …
