It’s somewhat “Desperate” times at Manoa Valley Theatre again. Its much-delayed “Desperate Measures” comedy has been moved back again, now premiering – hopefully – Jan. 27 instead of this Thursday (Jan. 13).
And you guessed right: COVID-19 has menaced MVT’s staging for three calendar years along with the surge of the Omicron variant this year, prompting MVT to once again push back
“Desperate Measures” is an Old West sendup of Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” in its Hawaii premiere.
Playdates are now from Jan. 27 through Feb. 6, and season ticket holders are asked to contact MVT via phone (808-988-6131) or email (boxoffice@manoavalleytheatre.com) to adjust performance dates. Shows are staged at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
“Just days before the opening of ‘Desperate Measures,’ we were forced to close our doors due to health and safety concerns,” said Kip Wilborn, MVT managing director, on an online post. He added, “(MVT) has proven resilient and nimble in many ways, rescheduling an entire season, pivoting to hybrid (live and streaming) programming, postponing and rescheduling the beginning of the current season. This path has been anything but a straight line.”
Indeed, the theater has taken curves and turnarounds and traveled a bumpy road since the pandemic started in 2019, and Wilborn said the latest surge of new (Omicron)
case numbers has elevated safety concerns not just of viewers/patrons, but theater’s staff, cast and volunteers, prodding the latest detour.
Despite the pandemic cloud, normal seating – with all seats filled – will prevail. …
Weight and see
Charles Degala, a veteran community actor and singer absent from the limelight for a spell, is back in the spotlight as host of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s upscale “Aha ‘Aina” luau show, easily the best revue of its kind, blending Hawaiian culture and history and told with exquisite mele and hula. It’s staged on the front lawn of the Pink Palace, with vistas of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head.
Perhaps the latest gig prompted him to lose weight, as he posted a photo and quotable on his Facebook page, saying “Excited that I was able to finally tuck in my shirt! Here’s to the new me! 40 lbs. gone.” …
New date for Nievera, Paulo
Singer Martin Nievera and saxophonist Michael Paulo have rescheduled their collaboration concert, from Jan. 15 to March 3. Yes, it’s a Thursday, because weekends at the Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra’s Hibiscus Ballroom are filled and a substitute date suitable for both entertainers was key in the decision.
Further, because it’s a week night, so the event will start earlier, at 7:30 p.m. instead of 8 p.m. A full contingent of earlier named back-up singers and musicians remains unchanged.
Both headliners are audience faves, Nievera for his smooth vocals (they call him “the concert king of the Philippines”), Paulo for his savvy saxophone jazz performances. For adjustments and reservations, go to TIX.com …
On the radio
Following its recent housecleaning, SummitMedia Honolulu has named Kona Chang program director of ethnic stations FM 100 The Legend KCCN and Hawaiian 105.1 KINE, and Micah Banks as p.d. of Krater 96 KTRT and Power 104.3 KPHW.
“The promotion of these two Hawaii radio legends … affirm our commitment to continuing the tradition of Hawaiian music,” said Patti Ponimoi, newly installed president. Chang and Banks assume roles previously held by Wayne Maria, who was part of the mass firings last week. Clearly, Summit needs to rebuild and restore listenership with the hiring of new on-air personalities, not yet named. …
And that’s Show Biz. …