MONOPOLY ADDS STITCH TO ‘OHANA

“Lilo and Stitch,” one of Disney’s enduring cartoon favorites, is transiting to the game board arena. Well, Stitch is, anyway.

Monopoly has added the rascal Stitch and his popular presence, to its growing franchise. A Lilo and Stitch Monopoly already is available.

But folks young and old, kane and wahine, will be able to venture into the realm of Lilo’s frisky buddy Stitch, the blue alien with his own personality.

No specific details have been released about content, regarding specific elements of game cards, or the mini bills of money, but tokens appear to feature Stitch in different color motifs and the game will retain the usual homes and hotels in the business of bartering.

 But assuredly, there will be  the endearing quote from the original animated show, which is being reimagined as a live-action film.

The quote: “Ohana means family, and family means no one is left behind or forgotten.”

Meanwhile, the live-action feature, filmed in Hawaii, is in post-production.

The cast includes Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Sydney Elizabeth Agudong as Nani, Chris Sanders as the voice of Stitch, Zach Galifianakis as Jamba, Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles, Tia Carrere as Mrs. Kekoa, Amy Hill as a new character Tutu, Kaipo Dudoit,  pictured, as David, and Billy Magnusson as Pleakley.

Jason Scott Lee, pictured, a veteran Hawaii actor who voiced David in an earlier animated role, will make a brief appearance in the live-action film, in an  unnamed role. 

“I got a little, small [part]. They threw me some bones, and I said, ‘Yeah, absolutely! In any capacity,’” Lee said. “I just wanted to be a part of it, so it’s a three-day cameo, and I think it will be fun.”

Lee plays a luau manager, and he gets to appear with the updated David actor (Dudoit) in the process.

Stitch will, of course, be a CG creation, via Dean Fleischer Camp, who will direct the film destined to be a major release on Disney+. Camp was an Oscar nominee for best animation feature for his “Marcel the Shell with  Shoes On” hit…

Tony nominees to be named Tuesday

Nominees for the 2024 Tony Awards will be announced Tuesday (April 30) from New York.

 The awards gala will be held June 13 at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theatre, with CBS televising the event.

The likely contenders for original plays include “Patriots,” “Stereophonic,” “Mother’s Play,” “Mary Jane,” and “Grey House.”

The roster of original musicals nominees include
“The Notebook,” “Suffs,” “Water for Elephants,” “The Outsiders,” “Back to the Future: The Musical,””Lempicka,” “Illinoise,”  “How to Dance in Ohio,” “Days of Wine and Roses” and “Hell’s Kitchen.”

Play revival candidate include “Doubt: A Parable,” “Uncle Vanya,”
“An Enemy of the Future,” “Purlie Victorious” and “Appropriate.”

Musical revival competitors include “Cabaret at the Kit Klub Club,” “The Wiz,” “Gutenberg!  The Musical,” “Spamalot” and “The Who’s Tommy.”

The American Theatre Wing and Broadway League are sponsors of the Tonys…

‘Forbidden Broadway’ returning this summer.

“Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song,” Gerard Alessandrini’s  beloved poke at Broadway shows and stars, will be a summer-fall attraction on Broadway.”

The show, which traditionally lampoons the attractions and performers then and now, will preview July 15 and open Aug. 5 at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Closing date is Nov. 1.

Alessandrini, pictured, a veteran playwright, is the reigning prince of parody lyrics and reinventions of Broadway fare will target such current shows as “The Notebook,” “Water for Elephants,” “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” “Back to the Future: The Musical,”  and “Merrily We Roll Along,” along with new interpretations of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company,” “Into the Woods” and “Company.”

Over the decades, “Forbidden Broadway” immortalized legendary figures on the Great Way, including “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Misérables” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” and such iconic spoofs of  Carol Channing, Liza Minnelli, Ethel Merman, Julie Andrews, Chita Rivera, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. In fact, the last “Forbidden Broadway” show I saw on Broadway was entirely focused on Miranda and “Hamilton.”

If you’re in the Big Apple when “Forbidden Broadway” is being staged, this is a gotta-see. Always hilarious, often with belly laughs.

And that’s Show Biz… 

IT’S ALOHA FOR ‘NCIS: HAWAII’


It’s aloha – like, in goodbye – for “NCIS: Hawaii.”

The CBS series – which still is rolling out its third season, with Vanessa Lachey as the first woman special-agent-in charge in the “NCIS” franchise —  was canceled today, (April 26), according to The Wrap. The finale will air at 10 p.m. May 6.

The local spin-off was launched in September 2021, toasting Lachey’s Jane Tennant role as the first female boss battling crimes from Pearl Harbor. The show also was the franchise’s first across the pond, so to speak, meaning the aloha state’s own crimes involving military personnel, would be prime time fare, upholding national security while sharing the usual visitor-popular views of the blue Pacific, the verdant mountains and valleys, and the mystic of the islands. Tropical has been an ingredient that fueled tourism for Hawaii, from the Jack Lord and Tom Selleck era.

LL COOL J, with Vanessa Lachey, were “NCIS” crimefighters here,

LL Cool J as Sam Hanna was dispatched this season, from the canceled “NCIS: Los Angeles,” a cool addition to the cast as a recurring guest star, adding fuel and manpower after appearing in the finale of season two. He joined Alex Tarrant as Kai, Noah Mills as Jesse Boone, Yasmine Al-Bustami as Lucy Tara, Jason Antoon as Ernie Malik, Tori Anderson as Kate Whistler, Kian Talan as Alex Tennant.

In recent weeks, the Hawaii cast had been was awaiting the green light, but a renewal was elusive.

Could it be that  “NCIS: Hawaii” overstayed its welcome, though it was the lone procedural filming here, following multi-seasons of reboots of “Magnum P.I.” and “Hawaii Five-0,” with a somewhat repetitive of aerial shots of Kualoa Ranch, the Koolau range, the vibrant coastlines, Waikiki, Chinatown and the North Shore waves?

However, CBS is not short of “NCIS” shows. “NCIS” (the Mark Harmon original) was renewed for its 22nd season, and the newbie, “NCIS: Sydney” also earned a season 2. “NCIS” also has two new hybrids coming up: a prequel “Origins,” examining the youthhood of LeroyJethro Gibbs,  and an anticipated new 10-episode season, still unnamed (on Paramount+), reuniting Michael Weatherly (DiNozzo) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) .

In TV land, everyone despises the C word. Cancellation is bad news…

And that’s Show Bjz,,,

WASH NEW DUDS WITH SUDS…

Just Asking…

When you buy a new shirt or a pair of jeans,  do you wash ‘em  before you wear ‘em?

Most folks don’t but should.

According to experts, it’s wise to send your new clothing, even socks, into the washer and dryer for a spin before donning ‘em.

Manufacturers don’t tell you, but chemicals – including formaldehyde — might be treated on your new apparel. Chemicals can cause skin irritation or respiratory and allergic reactions, but they help keep clothes crisp en route to stores.

So, before you wear, wash!

CAZIMERO TOPS MAY 1 FESTIVITIES

Robert Cazimero will be the big draw on Lei Day, when island residents make a lei, wear a lei, and give a lei.

May 1 is Lei Day, or May Day, and this year there are options.

Cazimero’s biggie will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. May 1 at the Bishop Museum, where a pageantry of  hula, mele and oli will flourish beneath a huge tent. Keauhou, the award-winning powerhouse trio comprised of Zachary Alaka‘i Lum, his brother Nicholas Keali‘i Lum and their Kamehameha Schools chum Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio, will assemble to vocalize and dance, but also perform on instruments. Zachary is producing the event, which will feature pre-show festivities and entertainment from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a two-hour revue from 7 to 9 p.m.. that will be streamed live on Mele.com, the evening’s presenters.

Cazimero, pictured, who is kumu hula of Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, will be at the keyboards and his halau gents, and other guest dancers, will harmonize and hula.

Tickets: $35 for general admission, and patrons can buy dinner and snacks from vendors; $50 for the show and a provided Hawaiian plate dinner, and $135 for a VIP package.

Reservations: visit mele.com …

Other Lei Day attractions:

  • Karl Veto Baker and Michael Lanakila Casupang, pictured, kumu hula of Halau I Ka Wekiu, will stage a concert at 7 p.m. May 1 at the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell. The event will salute their kumu hula from the past, Robert Cazimero.

“But I won’t be there,” Cazimero said, when asked for comment.

Tickets: $35 to $93  at the Blaisdell Center box office  at (808) 768-5488.

  • Kuana Torres Kahele, pictured, will front two May 1 concerts, at 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Blue Note Hawaii, at the Outrigger Waikiki resort with guest dancers Teva and Amberlee Medeiros. Doors open at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; dinner and beverage will be available. Tickets: $35 to $45,  at www.bluenotehawaii.com or call (808) 777-4890.
  • A belated Lei Day show  starring Kalani Pe‘a, pictured, three-time Grammy winner, will unfold at 7 p. m. May 4 at the Hawaii Theatre. Guests will include vocalist Weldon Kekauoha, kumu hula Sallie Yoza and Halau ‘O Napuala‘ikauika‘iu, kumu hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jordan and Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala and kumu hula Keli‘iho‘omalu Puchalski and Halau Kawai‘ulaokala. Tickets:  $45 to $55; VIP package, $250,  at www.hawaiitheatre.com  or (808) 528-0506…

Hawaii Theatre events

“Music & Memories,” featuring Jerome Koko, pictured center, and the Makaha Sons, will be staged at 3 p.m. June 2 at the Hawaii Theatre.

The event is a benefit for the Alzheimer Assn. of Hawaii.

Participating island talent includes Robi Kahakalau, Kawika Kahiapo, Kimo  & Kaimi Artis, Pomaika‘i and Malie, and Kamuela & Ka‘ihi Kimokeo.

Tickets: $35 to $60, at www.hawaiitheatrecenter.com or (808) 528-0506…

“Croce Plays Croce,” at 8 p.m. May 16 at the Hawaii Theatre, features the musical legacy of the late Jim Croce.

His son, “A.J. Croce,” will share his dad’s musical hits, which includes “Time in a Bottle,” “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” and “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song.”

Tickets: $65 to $85, at www.hawaiitheatrecenter.com or (808) 528-0506…

And that’s Show Biz…

‘SIMBA’ ZEKE EXTENDED TILL AUGUST

Ezekiel Kekuna, the Kaneohe lad performing the role of Young Simba in Disney’s “The Lion King,” Broadway in Disney’s hit show, has been extended through Aug.18.

His original closing performance was to be on June 2, but he was offered to continue his role at the Minskoff Theatre, and Zeke, pictured, decided to stay.

“We are very proud of Zeke and left the decision up to him to accept or decline the extension,” said Sarahlea Gamiao Kekuna, his mom who’s been very much a part of the Broadway experience.

The extension is not related to Zeke’s injury earlier this year when he was on sick leave to mend. But clearly, the lad was determined to return to the Pridelands undergoing rigorous PT and occasional rehearsals, to rejoin his acting ‘ohana in Broadway’s No. 1 hit, week after week.

A continuous flow of islanders has been flocking to the family favorite to catch Zeke in action. But he’s double-cast in the role, so it’s pertinent to know when Zeke’s in the show.

For early summer travelers, for instance, Zeke will be in costume, singing and dancing, on these June dates:

  • Wed, June 5 at 2 p.m.
  • Fri, June 7 at  8 p.m.
  • Sat, June 8 at 8 p.m.
  • Sun, June 9 at 3 p.m.

Martin to lead ‘Salesman’ cast

Dwight Martin, pictured, former executive director at Manoa Valley Theatre, is returning to the fold – to star as Willy Loman, in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” playing May 23 through June 2.

The profound drama deals with a struggling salesman seeking the American Dream, but success and happiness evade him.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and at 3 p.m. Sundays, with an additional matinee at 3 p.m. June 1.

Tickets: $25 to $46, at www.manoavalleytheatre.com and (808) 988-6131…

Broadway grosses, for week ending April 21

“The Lion King” still rules on Broadway, but “The Wiz”
is a newbie making an impressive debut.

The Top 10:

1– “The Lion King,” $2,174 million.

2—“Wicked,” $1,966 million.

3—“Hamilton,” $1,897 million.

4—“MJ the Musical,” $1,509 million.

5—“The Wiz,” $1,481 million.

6—“Moulin Rouge, the Musical,” $1,400 million.

7—“Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber on Fleet Street,” $1,391 million.

8—“Aladdin,” $1,394 million.

9—“Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,313 million.

10—“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $1,141 million.

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…