Category: Updates

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READERS THEATRE MOVING TO TAG

Windward Readers Theatre, a fixture at Pohai Nani retirement residence in Kaneohe for many years, will launch its 9th Readers Theatre season Aug. 8 at a new location, the Brad Powell Theatre at TAG, The Actors Group at the  Dole Cannery complex in Iwilei.

WRT, championed by the remarkably tireless director  Vanita Rae Smith and a booster of the Readers Theatre format, has played to intimate audiences for years.  Smith scheduled Readers Theatre for 12 years, which were Sunday afternoon sessions at the Army Community Theatre’s Richardson Theatre at Ft. Shafter, for 12 seasons, where Smith was artistic director of 24 years of musical theater successes under the auspices of the U.S. Army.

Vanita Rae Snith

The Readers format meant that elite and discriminating viewers would huddle on seats on the mainstage, where some of Hawaii’s legendary names would rely on the words of playwrights of works to bring drama to life, with listeners bringing their imagination to the plate.

Now the format will still be targeting readers and listeners alike, in the modest but effective TAG space. These theatrical Dark Night selections  — meaning attractions staged during the usual non-show evenings — will be embraced as part of TAG’s new season, with tickets at a modest $20 price.

Dwight Martin

The premier Readers Theatre vehicle at TAG will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – Aug. 8, 9 and 10 – with Dwight Martin, former Manoa Valley Theatre producing director, embracing John Barrymore, in William Luce’s “Barrymore” directed by Smith. The piece is filled with tension and surprises, surrounding the film and stage star, in the grips of advanced alcoholism, prepping for a production of “Richard III,” and reflecting on his multifaceted life, loves and legendary statue, a leading man on the brink of his last hurrahs.

“The last time we did a Readers Theatre at Pohai Nani was in March of 2020, and the auditorium there has been shut down since,” said Smith of the pandemic that closed nearly everything. “We didn’t charge an admission at Pohai Nani, and had a plate for donations, which went to them to cover expenses (of producing fees).

“Our new home at TAG will broaden the horizon of Readers Theatre, which are oral interpretations that fits the spirit at our new location,” said Smith, who has assembled  a slate of Readers Theatres scripts which amount to a legitimate “season.”

Also in the Readers Theatre agenda:

* Jo Pruden, portraying Lillian Hellman in  William Luce’s “Lillian,” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26, 27 and 28. Replaces an earlier-announced Bronte work. Directed by Smith.

* Alan Shepherd’s “Mary and Joe,” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4, 5, 10, 11, 12. Featuring Shepherd, Amy K. Sullivan, Christine Umipeg and others. Directed by Shepherd.

* Agatha Christie’s “Murder, Margaret, and Me,” at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23, 24 and 25. Featuring Jo Pruden, Shari Lynn and Eden Lee Murray. Directed by Smith.

*  “Sea Marks,” based on a memoir of Gardner McKay, at 7:30 p.m. May 29, 30 and 31, 2023. Featuring Annie Rennick and Peter Clark. Directed by Smith. …  

Dark Night Readers Theatre shows require an additional admission, apart from the fees of TAG’s weekend shows.

TAG’s 2022-23 season launches with David Lindsey-Abaire’s “Good People,” directed by Peggy Anne Sigmund,  opening  at 7:30 p.m. Friday (Aug. 5), with performances Thursdays through Sundays through Aug, 21 (2 p.m. curtain on Sundays). Tickets are $35 adults, $25 seniors and $20 students and military. Visit www.tagtickets@hawaii.rr.com or call (808( 722-6941. TAG requires viewers to don facemasks at all of its shows. …

Broadway grosses, for week ending July 31

The leaders still lead, in the roster of box office champs, but the dollars are fewer at least for now.

“The Music Man” still is No. 1, grossing $2.940 million, but not over the top of $3 million for much of its run to date. So Hugh Jackman is still the Money Man, too.

“Hamilton” again is No. 2, demonstrating it’s still a hottie in the room where it happens, pulling in $2.246 million.

“The Lion King” still has its roar, at No.3 and $2.166 million.

The list is courtesy the Broadway League. And note that the charts now show the rundown by grosses, not alphabetically. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

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MOMOA CASTING FOR ISLE FILM

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.
Jason Momoa

The film will focus during the turn of the 18th 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/

Hugh Jackman

“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. …

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CAN’T ALWAYS GET THE COKE ZERO

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?

It’s advertised, but you can’t always get Zero Sugar Coke at some Consolidated 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?

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MASKS STILL REQUIRED ON BROADWAY

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.

Ben Crawford

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

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. …

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‘TOP GUN’ CRUISES TO NO. 1

It’s official: Summer officially has begun, with all the right elements: a stellar story, hypnotic air flights and fights, and the key ingredient named Tom Cruise.

The fact that “Top Gun: Maverick” is a sequel of a film from 30 years ago, when Cruise first took on Pete “Maverick” Mitchell … somewhat astonishing. And then the pandemic stalled the release of “Maverick” for nearly three years … something frustrating.

But the delay heightened anticipation and expanded expectation and the Memorial Day weekend turned out to be the perfect moment to welcome “Top Gun,” which raked in a $100 million three-day gross, which, if international box office is added, meant a $248 million global tally. With today’s Memorial Day (May 30) holiday, another $50 million could be added to the explosive total.

Tom Cruise in “Top Gun: Maverick”

The alignment of the delay, the performance of Cruise as the cocky but dependable fighter pilot-turned-mentor, and the public’s eagerness to see the aerial dynamics in movie theaters (which has struggled to fill seats till now) meant the stars were aligned in filmland.

Wow.
The plot was somewhat predictable, but there are surprises: generals make mistakes, mavericks take chances, a few original characters return, old wounds are resolved, a romantic bond is sealed, and Lady Gaga seals the deal with her end-titles ballad, “Hold My Hand,”
uplifting the soundtrack as folks exit the theaters. Gage’s composing collaborators are  Harold Faltermeyer and Hans Zimmer. Clearly, it’s headed to No. 1 and will be an Oscar song contender next year.

It’s fun to know and hear the “handles” of the military mights: Maverick, Iceman, Rooster, Cyclone, Fanboy, Hangman, Coyote, etc.

And here’s a rarity just might increase: Cruise welcomes fans prior to the film, in a tack-on video akin to a handshake (Benedict Cumberbatch did a similar clip prior to his “Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness “sequel earlier). Could more actors and films adopt this policy? …

Elton John doc due on Disney+

A documentary on superstar Elton John is due from Disney Original Documentary and Disney+.

Deadline reports that the doc, entitled “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: The Final Elton John Performances and the Years. That Made His Legend.”

Elton John will be featured in a new documentary with a mouthful of a title.

Yes, it’s a mouthful. But John has been a musical figure not wholly represented in films. The thrust of the doc will be John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour,” when he spent months on tour, culminating in a November gig at Dodger Stadium that will cap his final North American show.

Unseen footage of his 50-year global success will provide essential videos of John earlier in his career, when his shows included lavish costumes and spectacles that reflected his charismatic flamboyancy.

“Rocketman,” the 2019 biography with Taron Egerton as John, explored his life but lacked theatrical vigor since the performance factor fell short; there was no soaring climactic fervor like the “We Will Rock You” finale with Rami Malek as Freddy Mercury in the Queen biopic, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” …

And that’s Show Biz. …