With the hope that the lingering pandemic protocols will ease or dissipate by this fall, some of Hawaii’s theatrical organizations are tweaking policies, anticipating the best and perhaps kind of a return to normalcy. This, despite current reactions from a state health official who deems the CORONA-19 virus outbreak “a crisis.”
At Manoa Valley Theatre, season subscribers and single-ticket purchases will have reserved seats for the first time during the 2021-2022 theatrical season, beginning in the fall. Playgoers must wear face masks and must show evidence of vaccination. Seating will be “normal,” meaning pre-pandemic, without spacing between seats. “Be More Chill,” a Hawaii premiere, kicks off the new season Sept. 2.
At Diamond Head Theatre, all seats will be open for purchase – no empty seats and alternating spaces in each row – with “normal” full-houses anticipated. Face masks and proof of vaccinations will be required. DHT’s season launches Sept. 24, with “Oliver.”
Both aforementioned theater groups hope that with vaxxed patrons donning face masks throughout a performance, they’ll be OK under current protocols minus the social distancing open seats. Sure hope so; image the train wreck, if sold seats have to be socially distanced.
Elsewhere, there are variations of how the fall theater season will play out. For instance:
- Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s season, which kicked off Aug. 9, will be a mix of live performances for school audiences and the public, but will involve flexibility with virtual performances for some productions.
- Kumu Kahua Theatre also will mix live with virtual staging. “#Haoleboyfriend” debuts Sept. 14 as a virtual production, along with the second show, “The Kasha of Kaimuki” Oct. 28, but the third event, “The Conversion of Ka‘ahumanu,” will be live, beginning Jan. 20.
- The Actors Group opens Aug. 27 with an all-live season at the Brad Powell Theatre at Dole Cannery.
- Kennedy Theatre will unveil its first show, “He Leo Aloha,” in the Hawaiian language, in early October, but closes its season with a second part later in the year
Smooth as silk
The Silk Sonic collaboration has a new wrinkle: investments outside of music.
Anderson .Paak, who partners with Bruno Mars as the newest hot vocal duo, has ventured into the world of restaurants.
Californian .Paak has invested into Taisho, a Japanese restaurant, in Sherman Oaks, Calif.
He posted an online photo of himself, with this caption: “The boy done invested his #silksonic money in the best sushi in town! The foodies are calling it ‘BUSSIN!!’ Come see for yourself!
While former Honolulan Mars does not have a stake – not yet, anyway – in a restaurant, he has his own sideline biz: he is one of the owners of Selva Rey Rum.
No arrival date of Silk Sonic’s first album, which already has become sizzling chart-topping singles: “Leave the Door Open” and “Skate.”
Birthday mahalo
Have had an overwhelming round of birthday wishes the past few days, and most notably, some folks can’t perceive my turning 80. Because I’m a Facebooker and also post stuff on my own website, I don’t commonly get to see words of aloha on other sites, so I thank my buddy Loretta Ables Sayre, who shares Instagram and Twitter items about me, like this one from her “South Pacific” co-star on Broadway, Matthew Morrison.
Saw him in the show with Loretta at Lincoln Center, and caught his Hawaii Theatre show before the pandemic shut down everything. And had an opportunity to share my Wild Cards creations with the remarkable Broadway singer-actor. So sharing his communication a few days back. ..
And that’s Show Biz. …
Wow! Thanks for all that great reporting!