Updates Archives - Page 49 of 69

April 1, 2023April 1, 2023

DISNEY’S LIVE ‘LILO’ IS LOCAL GIRL

Maia Kealoha, a Big Island girl, has been cast as Lilo in Disney’s planned “Lilo & Stitch” live-action film, inspired by the animated set-in-Hawaii series.

Knight Edge Media was the first to disclose the news about Maia, with few details except the she has appeared in many Little Miss Kona Coffee pageants via Instagram.

Little is known about Kealoha for now; where she attends school, who her parents are. She has no acting experience, but is plenty cute. Details will be revealed, once Disney rolls out a PR campaign on its newest discovery.

Though the movie was scheduled to begin to start filming in February, it apparently has been delayed.

Further, buzz that Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in Disney’s “Moana” animated hit, likely won’t be able to participate in “Lilo & Stitch” as Nani, the older sister of Lilo, because of commitments to “Mean Girls the Musical: The Movie.” If that production is completed befzackore the start of “L&S,” she still could join the cast.

Maia Kealoha, left,

and Zack Galifianakis, right.

Earlier, it has been announced that Zack Galifianakis will play the alien Peakley.

Lilo is a lonely Hawaiian girl, who adores hula and the music of Elvis Presley, who builds a bonding friendship with Stitch, a blue dog-like alien who potentially has destructive powers. No word yet on who might play or voice Stitch, should it be a CGI-generated character.

Dean Fleischer Camp will direct. He was an Academy Awards nominee for his “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On.”

Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, son of Clarke and Lynell Bright and grandson of Ronald and Mo Bright, scripted the new film, from an earlier draft by Mike Van Waes. So Bright brings a behind-the-screen Hawaiian element to the project.

Lilo and Stitch, the little lonely girl, and her alien pal, in their animated days.

Disney has had remarkable success with “L&S” and sequels included TV-centric projects over the years and continued to invest in Polynesian projects like 2016’s “Moana,” which also featured the voice of Dwayne Johnson, who appeared as Maui.

The studio has made unknowns like Cravalho to become certified stars, so Kealoha could be a candidate for such fame, considering the enormous popularity of “L&S.” And it has been converting, successfully, animated films in live-action feature films.

Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich will produce for Rideback, with Ryan Halprin executive-producing for the company.

No date yet on when “L&S” will be released. …

Clublicity

Jake Shimabukuro, right, and his ukulele will be at Blue Note Hawaii at 6:30 and 9 p.m. April 2. Tickets: $75, $85, at https://www.bluenotejazz.com/hawaii/shows/ or (808) 777-4990.

Streetlight Cadence will return to The Republik at 7 p.m. April 20. Doors open at 6 p.m. Keilana and MTO will be guest performers. Tickets are $28.50, plus a $7.74 fee. Information: (808) 941-7469 …

Paula Fuga also will be at The Republik at 8 p.m. April 21. Trishnalei will also appear, along with DJ Keala Kennelly. Tickets: $35, $45 on day of appearance. Information: (808) 941-7469 …

And that’s Show Biz…

March 23, 2023March 23, 2023

DIRECTOR’S LIFE IN THE CAST LANE

Casting a major Broadway musical – well, for any show, whether a musical or a drama – is no picnic.

A director generally conducts auditions to seek his talent. But he or she might have a trick or two and the Midas touch to secure his performers.

In John Rampage’s case – he is directing the Jerry Herman musical, “La Cage Aux Folles,” which opens Friday night (March 24) at Diamond Head Theatre – and lightning struck brightly for him, since he reaped his key performers largely from previous associations with the men and women he discovered.

In his director’s notes in the show’s playbill, DHT’s artistic director admits how his memory of previous alliances with his actors were factors in filling his dance card.

Andrew Sakaguchi, portraying the difficult trans part of Albin, was a youth actor who has matured marvelously, and sang “I Am What I Am,” a show-stopping anthem from the score, at a previous DHT Sunset Serenade during the pandemic.

So the tune already was in Sakaguchi’s repertoire and he starred in “Anything Goes,” the final show in DHT’s now demolished theater, which was the current season’s first show. Rampage approached Sakaguchi, without an audition; “I realized that he’s now the right age to take on this demanding, triple threat role,”, he says — and got not just a yea response, but a bonus offer to choreograph the show, too.

Tenor Guy Merola as Georges, the owner of the club La Cage Aux Folles and Albin’s longtime partner, had the right voice and previously played opposite Sakaguchi in a production, “so there was a natural connection between them,” says Rampage.

For the part of Jacqueline, who belts out “The Best of Times” with Albin in the show, it was easy. Shari Lynn, a pal of his who is one of the town’s musical gems, called to inquire if he’d consider her to repeat her performance (she did the part in a 2006 production). “I love having the chance to reminisce and joke with her during rehearsal breaks,” he says. Nothing like have good friends in the right places at the right time.

The part of Edouard Dindon went to Joe Martyak, who did a number of DHT shows prior to moving to Washington D.C. was sympatico, with a twist. Early rehearsals had to be done remotely. “No one that auditioned for Marie Dindon was quite what I was looking for, so I put on my thinking cap and gave a call to Kim Anderson,” says Rampage. Her last DHT show was “Charley and the Chocolate Factory,” in which she starred as Willie Wonka, which brought out her comedic skills, and despite the fact that her character doesn’t appear till Act II. Anderson – playing against type – will likely get some of the biggest laughs.

It’s always fun to cast the Cagelles – nine of them – to play the feathered, bejewelled night club showgirls;, three players identify themselves as women, not men in drag. So the audiences get the opportunity to sort out the he’s from the she’s …

Broadway grosses, for week ending March 19

“The Phantom of the Opera” and its music of the night composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber continues to be the blockbuster of Broadway, grossing over $3 million for the A week ending March 19.

The Phantom’s journey, for 35 years, will end April 16, when the chandelier will descend for the final time at the Majestic Theatre.

Here are the top seven shows and their box office figures, courtesy the Broadway League:

1 –“The Phantom of the Opera,” $3.25 million.

2 – “The Lion King,” $2.25 million.

3 – “Hamilton,” $2.15 million.

4 — “Wicked,” $2.04 million.

5 – “MJ,” $1.742 million

6 – “Sweeney Todd,” $1.679 million.

7 – “Harry Potter and the. Cursed Child,” $1.627 million.

And just a skosh behind: “Moulin Rouge,” $1.567 million, and “Jonas Brothers,” $155.6 million. …

The full list:

Broadway is buzzing with new arrivals, too.:

Just opened: “Parade,” “Bob Fosse’s Dancin’,” “Bad Cinderella,” “Sweeney Todd.”

In previews: “Life of Pi,” “Shucked,” “Camelot.”…

And that’s Show Biz. …

March 23, 2023March 23, 2023

HOW MANY DOCTORS ARE TOO MANY?

Just asking…

How many doctors do you regularly visit?

And how many is too many?

Back in the day, life was simpler. You had one doctor for everything: a cold, a stiff neck,an aching stomach, a bruised chest. Two, if you included a dentist.

And way, way back, your doctor possibly made home visits. (Young ones, ask your grandparents).

How life has changed.

Nowadays, I count five doctors in my life. Si, if you include my dentist.
My primary physician also is a rheumatologist, and he’s the one I see most regularly.

But I also have a cardiologist, a back pain doctor, an eye doctor, and a urologist. Plus a dentist.

Not so regular, in terms of visits: a back doctor, a dermatologist, an oral surgeon, and an ear-nose-throat specialist.

Oh, forgot one: I had two visits with a gastroenterologist over a decade or so, but stopped doing colonoscopies.

Is it because of age, when you tend to have more problems that require a specialist?

Or is it the way of life now, where you have issues that your primary doc can’t handle, hence referring you to a specialist?

So how many docs are in your life?

Just asking…

March 20, 2023March 20, 2023

A HALAU OF A (CAZIMERO) SHOW

It was halau of a show –artistically stunning, emotionally celebratory — proudly championed and shaped by the incomparable Robert Uluwehi Cazimero.

For kumu hula Cazimero and his hula disciples from Na Kamalei O Lililehua, yesterday’s sold-out performance at Leeward Community College Theatre was a benchmark event, a prelude to a likely series of performances leading up to Na Kamalei’s 50^th anniversary in two years.

Cazimero and his two dozen gents have been popular attractions on the hula horizon, though like everyone everywhere else, took a break during the stifling three-year pandemic hiatus.

So the long overdue fund-raising hoike of sorts was a much-anticipated cultural event. So many hula types and A-list Hawaiian entertainers were among the crowd.

For the dancers – the “then” group and the current crop – it was a major outing, like those long-gone Cazimero May Day and Christmas events.

For the audience – who have followed and witnessed Na Kamalei’s success – this was a continuation of a shared journey. The intermission was ripe with whopping howdy-dos, hugs and kisses, long-time-no-see expressions, and catch-up-and-talk story reunion. The spectators brought lei and sweets for the king of ho’olaulea, and leadership and fellowship were evident.

Quick recap:

— This is one heck of a halau; the fellas generally sing while dancing, adding modernity to some of the fun stuff. Yep, there are kahiko and ‘auona moments, but humor and joy are ingredients in the choice of material and execution.

— The lads are always immaculately and stylishly costumed, whether it’s ti leaf motif, aloha shirts and jeans, dress shirt with tie. The looks matter, and the hues are coordinated.

— Almost always, fresh lei adorn the dancers’ necks. Sometimes, nut and shell leis rule.

Robert Cazimero at the piano, best-buddy Kaipo Hale sharing memories.

— There are selective surprises. The return of prolific Kaipo Hale (Cazimero’s best buddy) to reflect on what it’s like being in the halau ranks, circa 1975 in the awkward but savvy launch of the group, was a joyous revelation of lessons learned, never forgotten, and the links of brotherhood camaraderie gained.

— Cazimero attempted to theme his playlist, beginning with a projection of his personal desk at home, where his brainstorming and theories evolve. The mele here began with a casual “War Chant,” and familiar fare featuring hula soloist U‘ilani Lum on “Kuamo ‘o,” Ki Quilloy singing and Kaohi Daniels dancing on “Destiny,” and Zach Lum sharing his falsetto tones on “Ahulili.” A Travel Desk segment uncorked a splendid Big Island medley of “Ho’ea,” “Keawa ‘iki,” “Kona Kai Opua,” and “Mahai‘ula,” and a rhapsodic Punahele Moleta treatment of “Ikona” with hula by Sky Perkins. And dancer Parker Spencer had his moment of glory, with swishing arms, on the ensemble hula to “Little Grass Shack.”

— After intermission, “Hula Guys” with the dancers also vocalizing, reflected the kind of sustenance within the halau.

— Further, the gents’ trademark “Teve Teve,” choreographed by Cazimero in the salad days of Na Kamalei, was a positive remembrance of song/style fusion, with an element of double-entendre naughtiness, that has characterized the brotherhood’s legacy.

— Cazimero was unusually chatty throughout the show, though his miking could have used a bit more juice to make him properly heard. He seemed a bit uneasy to launch an In Memoriam segment – should he or shoudn’t he? – and he did, with visuals of about two-dozen former gents who have gone to the giant halau in the sky over the nearly five decades of operations.

— I wondered if “Waika,” a classic staple in the repertoire, might be revived, and surely, it wound up as the finale number, with Robert singing with his gents from at his usual keyboard perch, then walking to the front of the stage to convert the vocal into an a cappella specialty to close the show, with other previous gents and hula soloist Lahela Ka‘aihue joining in. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

February 23, 2023February 23, 2023

NETFLIX+NFL+MAHOMES=QB SERIES

Sounds like a touchdown, for football and TV fans: Netflix and the National Football League are out of the huddle and prepping to stream a football docuseries entitled “Quarterbacks” on Netflix this summer.

The astonishing news is that the show will embrace and have unprecedented access to football icons like Patrick Mahomes of the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs and his recording breaking total offense record and MVP trophy, Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings on engineering his greatest comeback to win the NFC North Division title, and – with a Hawaii link – Marcus Mariota reflecting on his first season as starting QB with the Arizona Falcons.

The docuseries, tapped for one season, will be produced by Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, partnering with Mahomes’ PM Productions, and will feature video on and off the field.

*Patrick Mahomes, during the third quarter in Super Bowl LVII a. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)*

Of course, footage will include some of this past season’s other standouts, not yet revealed, and the Netflix streaming will serve as not only a flashback of the 2022 season, but a likely prelude to the 2023 season.

“I’m excited for fans to get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at an unforgettable season for the entire Chiefs organization and for my family,” said Mahomes in a statement.

“From welcoming home a new baby in the middle of the season to welcoming the Lombardi trophy back to Kansas City, our crew was there for it all. This new Netflix series will show the time, preparation and balance that it takes to be an NFL quarterback and perform on the biggest stage.”

“Playing quarterback in the NFL is a unique experience that has some pretty incredible ups and downs,” said Manning, himself a former all-star QB. “Thanks to this collaboration with our partners at NFL Films, 2PM Productions and Netflix, fans will be given a unique and intimate look at what life is like as a starting QB.”

“We aim to give our members unprecedented access to the biggest athletes in the world, telling stories that you can’t see anywhere else,” Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s vice president of unscripted and documentary series, said in a statement. “And it doesn’t get any bigger than going inside the huddle with NFL quarterbacks, who hold perhaps the most important and difficult position in sports. We can’t wait to share their stories with our members around the world.”

Manning is executive producer for Omaha Productions. Ross Ketover, Pat Kelleher and Keith Cossrow are executive producers for NFL Films.
Manning played for 18 seasons in the NFL, including 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and four with the Denver Broncos, and is considered one of football’s greatest QBs. …

Fuga plans mana-fueled shows on Maui, Oahu

Paula Fuga, Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning soul singer, will launch her new venture, Mana Wahine Productions, with a two-island concert on Maui and Oahu in the days ahead.

Fresh from her theatrical stage debut as the Fairy Godmother in Diamond Head Theatre’s “Cinderella” musical, Fuga will headline a March 3 show at 8 p.m. at Da Playaground on Maui and March 4 at 8 p.m. at The Republic on Oahu.

The Oahu gig will showcase guests Trishnalei and DJ Keala Kennelly.

“I love having the support of powerful women to help me accomplish my goals and dreams.” said Fuga, founder of Mana Wāhine Productions. “I’m looking forward to expanding the creative potential of my career with bolder vision and progressive artistic collaborations elevated by my new, independent, Hawaii-based, mana-fueled production company.”

Tickets ($30 and $40 on Maui, $35 on Oahu) are available at https://www.paulafugahawaii.com/live …

And that’s Show Biz. …