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PANDEMIC SHUTS DOWN DHT’S ‘ELF’

Looks like the Grinch has shut down and canceled Diamond Head Theatre’s holiday hit, “Elf, the Musical,” last night (Dec. 22) and tonight (Dec. 23), which were to be the final two performances.

OK, it was the pandemic that shuttered the pair of shows, an abrupt and unfortunate circumstance which saddened and distressed director Greg Zane.

“Extremely upsetting,” he said in an online post. “Not how we imagined this joyful production would finish its run.  As some know, I invest my whole heart and soul into a production; that’s what I taught. That’s what I’ve learned from the artists that I admire and that have mentored me. If not, then why do it?”

The villain was the pandemic – though specifics on whether it was Delta variant or the newer Omicron threat that led management to put an early end to the run, in the name of safety.

The theater’s notice to ticket holders for either show – me included – disclosed that the cancellation was “due to notice of a positive COVID case here at DHT,” with no other specifics.

Greg Zane

As far as we know, state leaders like Gov. David Ige or Mayor Rick Blandiardi had not issued new measures to shut down the shows.

Most recent alerts forewarned the growing influx of Omicron cases, but the protocols alluded to social distancing, hand-washing, sanitizing and vaccination including booster shots. Caution and avoidance of “large” crowds had been issued, but not monitored or forced.

These abrupt cancellations are hitting events nationally; a cluster of Broadway musicals, including “Hamilton,” has had temporary closures, and even the legendary Radio City Music Hall Rockettes Christmas show has been shuttered due to COVID. Several NFL games have had to reschedule, since football players have contracted the virus.

With Christmas and New Year gatherings and celebrations imminent, folks should maintain awareness and take precautions to avoid the virus. …

Piano and popovers

Noly Paa

Elsewhere, things are looking up. Pianist Noly Paa has opened at Azure Restaurant, at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, where he serenades from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. today (Dec. 24) and tomorrow (Dec. 23) and again Dec. 29, 30 and 31. …

Not certain if Paa has been reinstated at the Sunday brunches at the Halekulani Hotel, which have been resumed without fanfare. But forget about going this weekend or next – it’s sold out. Understandably, it’s Waikiki’s best buffet (like the normal days, with self-served goodies to select). And home of those yummy signature popovers. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

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TIHATI ‘OHANA ON ‘LIVING HOPE’

Two generations of the Tihati ‘ohana share their rarely-discussed stories of love and faith on “Living Hope,” New Hope Hawaii’s new TV magazine series airing this holiday season.

The Tihati founders, Jack and Cha Thompson, open up their home and hearts, along with their successors, Afatia Thompson and Misty Thompson Tufono, in conversations with hosts John Tilton and Dawn O’Brien, in seven unprecedented screenings this weekend (see box), the second of a new series of programming.

“It’s about good news in challenging times,” said Tilton, new leader of New Hope and a former employee of Tihati Productions, about Tihati’s struggles amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down operations for more than 18 months until the company’s Polynesian shows reopened when visitors finally started to arrive in Hawaii.

Thus, it’s a rare glimpse of dad and mom and son and daughter, revealing how their Tihati Productions company – the state’s and world’s largest entertainment-producing organization for 52 years – is deeply rooted in religion and family values.

Jack and Cha Thompson, founders of Tihati Productions

Faith is the glue that bonds the Tihati tradition; commitment to ‘ohana is the framework of its success.

As Cha declares about the religious orientation, “Give to the Lord first and he will come through.”

As Jack remembers, “We have to thank someone or something,” about their good fortunes then and now.

Afatia Thompson and Misty Thompson Tufono, current president vice-president.

Their revelations suit the theme of New Hope’s series of “Living Hope,” with pastor Tilton and Dawn O’Brien co-hosting.

God and prayers have been part of the Tihati spirit for decades, when inspiration hit the Farrington High School sweethearts one night. They went shopping/searching for a church, and set anchor at a Pearl Harbor home of worship. Since then, the church is where there is a need, like hotel show spaces where performers conduct Bible studies and offer prayers before and following each performance.

As Jack “Tithai” puts it, “we give to the Lord first and he would come through,” a sentiment that has prevailed ever since the company was launched. Through his South Seas Christian Ministry, Tihati has provided support and kokua to independent Samoa for 34 years, arranging for natives to receive medical supplies, creating water tanks to families, and building or rebuilding churches to continue the work of God.

‘LIVING HOPE’ AIRDATES


12:30 p.m. Dec. 24, KITV

6:30 p.m. Dec. 24, KHII

8:30 p.m. Dec. 25, KHON

10:30 p.m. Dec. 25, KITV

9:30 a.m. Dec. 26, CW

6:30 p.m. Dec. 26, KHII

10:30 p.m. Dec. 26, KHON

Son Afatia, now Tihati president, and his sister Misty, now vice president, continue the gift of caring and giving, having lived and learned the ways of Tihati as youngsters with ringside seats growing up in a show biz family. “Being onstage, growing up in hotels…we thought that was normal,” says Misty.

“God has helped us weather this storm (of the pandemic) and we remain faithful in his plan,” says Afatia.

Misty says Psalm 46:10 in the Bible – “Be still” – is her inspiration. “In the fear, we will worship.” she explains.

The show includes a few vintage photos of Jack and Cha, back in the day, and should have included an archival clip of a live Tihati performance to provide visual evidence of the pulse of the company’s livehood: hula, mele, otea from the Polynesian resources that give the Tihati brand a sound and moving foundation.

However, there’s live music, to conclude the TV chat, as Afa sings “I Will Worship” on the front lawn of his parents’ Portlock home, surrounded by ‘ohana singing, dancing (Cha, in a sit-down hula from a queen’s chair), or listening on the front porch. For the holiday season, and befitting the Tihati message: a family that plays together, stays together, and prays together …

And that’s Show Biz. …

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THE JOYS OF CHRISTMASES PAST

Just asking…

Have you been listening to Hawaii’s Christmas radio station, KSSK, to reminisce the yuletide via songs old and new?

I’ve been loving the walk down memory lane, to hear traditional carols alongside pop and rock Christmas fare.

More importantly, since I downsized a couple of years ago, I no longer have a stash of vinyl 33 1/3 discs that I’d haul out every December. I tried to update, without much success, rereleases of popular titles available on CD. I kept a few LPs but not 45s.

Andy Williams

So the outpouring of sentimental journeys, via KSSK, has made it a blissful holiday.

Yuletide melodies get you into the holiday spirit. Bing Crosby. Perry Como. Dean Martin. Andy Williams. Gene Autry. Karen Carpenter and The Carpenters, principally Karen Carpenter, Bobby Helms. All silenced by death, but back to the future via holiday classics.

Karen Carpenter

Oh holy nights and days.

Happily, the king of Christmas serenading – Johnny Mathis – provided many signature hits. He’s one of the greats still alive. Add Brenda Lee, Mariah Carey, Michael Buble and Pentatonix for today’s bank of Christmas crooners.In the mix: local tracks by Henry Kapono, Gail Mack, Willie K, The Brothers Cazimero.

So to these singers and the stations that share them, mahalo plenty. And Mele Kalikimaka!

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FRUITCAKE: LOATHE IT OR LOVE IT?

Holiday fruitcake has a love/hate presence every year.

To those who must have a wedge of fruitcake: Why do you adore it? It’s a dense brick of a cake; often the butt of jokes…that it can be crack a window when hurled.

Dark and fruity…

To those who nix the fruitcake: What don’t you like about it? The preserved soaked-in-liquor fruit and nuts, with too little cake?

Me? Not a huge fan of traditional “dark” fruitcake loaded with preserved fruit with a high liquor presence, and less cake.

…or blond and pinappley?

Prefer the local “blond” cake, the Happy Cake concocted in 1967 by the late Dick Rodby  of Kemoo Farm. This is the version chock full of pineapple and macadamia nuts – and more pound-cake than fruitcake..

And it’s still being produced  by Hawaiian Happy Cakes. Visit hawaiianhappycakes@mail.com or call  (808) 922-1957.

What’s your stance on the fruitcake debate?