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‘WHEEL OF FORTUNE’ FILMING PROMOS

Ryan Seacrest, incoming “Wheel of Fortune” host, has been in Waikiki with letter-turner Vanna White, to tape promos for the next season of the syndicated game show.

Seacrest, who still hosts ABC’s “American Idol,” is succeeding Pat Sajak, the original “Wheel” host, who announced his retirement last year and will exit in June 2024. Thus, Seacrest will make his debut later this summer.

Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest, on location in Waikiki

Seacrest and White  have been seen in tourist mode, donning swimwear and goggles and flipper diving gear for knee-deep waves in waters off Waikiki. The duo, wearing appropriate island wear,  also trekked in the shopping mall at the Hilton Hawaiian Village…  

Cataluna’s ‘Kimo’ premieres Feb. 23

Lee Cataluna’s “Kimo the Waiter,” a glimpse of exclusion, inclusion, diversity, and accessibility within the community of television and film work, will make its world premiere at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Paliku Theatre on the Windward Community College.

The production is a partnership of WCC and the Hawaii Conservatory of Performing Arts (HCPA), where Cataluna is HCPA’s Established Island Artist.

The comedy explores the plight and frustration of Kimo, a dude that loves to act who tracks and attends auditions for roles, but he’s either too brown or not brown enough, or perhaps not enough, period. How many times can an actor play “the waiter”? He’s good, but clearly lives with rejection.

Set in 1980s Honolulu, “Kimo the Waiter” tracks the elusive dream of an actor whose dream world is never within his reach.

Alakaʻi Cunningham and Kirstyn Trombetta in “Kimo the Waiter.”

“’Kimo the Waiter’ is a hilarious and moving look into the world of an actor. Cataluna shows the frustrations and raucous truths of what actors experience,” said director  Taurie Kinoshita.

 Set in the Hawaii of the 1980s, “Kimo” features Alakaʻi Cunningham as Kimo. The cast also includes Stuart Featheran, Kirstyn Trombetta, Maya Leslie-Berengue, and Kealaulapoiunalani Faifili.

The family-friendly comedy, which runs approximately 90 minutes, should relate to constant auditioners who’ve experienced rejection.

Tickets: $15 to $25, available at palikutheatre.com or call (808) 235-7315.

And that’s Show Biz…

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MURDER, MAYHEM, MIRTH IN WHODUNNIT

An oddity, “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,” is neither a full-fledged musical nor a riotous comedy, though there are brief tuneful segments and a mix of laugher, amid a series of murders.

The whodunnit, playing at the Diamond Head Theatre, is actually quite charming. Actors eager to audition for a show (a musical, natch), along with a dancer, a singer and a comedian, who are seeking employment, so they assemble at the mansion of Elsa Von Grossenknueten (Lisa Konove, flamboyantly brilliant and in her prime) in Chappaqua, New York. The time is midnight (of course), at the height of a chilling snowfall (another of course). The theatrical figures hope wealthy Elsa will bankroll the musical, or so is the premise.

In actually, the estate is where three dancers were previously murdered by an unknown slasher, and a policeman, Michael Kelly (Michael Abdo, sleek in his sleuthing) is among the invitees and believes the slasher also is among the party guests. So everyone is a suspect;  or dead serious. a forthcoming victim.

The play, by John Bishop, is set in December, 1940, and opens with the murder of Elsa’s maid Helsa Wenzel (Brianna Johnston, fittingly domestic, who comes to life again, which viewers later learn how).  The slasher claims several more victims, terrifying the survivors, who are stuck in the snowstorm and the expected happens: the lights go out,  meaning more murders when they go on again.

The motley crew includes the singer, Patrick O’Reilly (Christopher Denton); the dancer, Nikki Crandall (Emily Lane); the comic Eddie McCuen (David Samsel),  a director Ken De La Maize( Lee Nebe); and a writing team comprising Roger Hopewell (Andrew Simmons) and Bernice Roth (Betty Bolton). They’re all wary of the lurking mayhem, beginning with the demise of Elsa’s friend, Marjorie Baverstock (Heather Taylor).

“Musical Comedy” cast: seated front, Lisa Konove, Michael Abdo and Heather Taylor; rear, from left, David Samsel, Emily Lane, Brianna Johnston, Christoper Denton, Andrew Simmons, Betty Bolton and Lee Nebe. — Brandon Miyagi photo, courtesy DHT.

An ensemble show, the cast builds chemistry with shared fear and mutual concerns about who is the killer. Frequent hilarity lessens the intensity of emotions in this kind of murder mysteries, and director John Rampage maintains a cadence of fright and laughs. Actress Konove, a veteran of many dramatic and comedic shows in the past, is in her element in this one, clad in flowing, elegant and colorful gowns created with authority by Emily Lane (doubling as a cast member), with Aiko Schick’s hair and makeup designs contributing to the era of the ‘40s.

A star is born, in set designer Randy Tandal’s auspicious debut as a stage designer, whose maginificent single-set spectacle is efficient and functional, with book shelves that spin to hide, then display, a hidden passageway. The one-view spectrum includes handsome doorways for entrances and exits, plus a clothes closet which conceals a body and also displays wardrobe. There are eye-filling gems including artwork on the walls and working lamps, working in sync with prop designer Travis O. Asaeli’s contributions – a desk, a comfy armchair, and a faux grand piano.

At long last, DHT has come of age, marking the first anniversary of the new theater with a set (finally) that demonstrates and reflects the magic of stagecraft. Clearly, greatness sprouts with time and talent. This set — and its creator — are winners! No set pieces to roll on and off stage; nothing to descend from the overhead fly space. What you see is what you get–excellence.

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“The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940”

A play by John Bishop, about theatrical types gathering at a mansion, where murder is on the menu and a snowstorm prevents an escape

Where: Diamond Head Theatre

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; also at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays, through Feb. 18; extension playdates, 7:30 p.m. Feb.23 and 3 p.m. Feb. 24

Tickets: $37 to $62, at www.diamondheadtheatre.com or (808) 733-0274

And that’s Show Biz…

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BRUNO’S PINKY RING AT BELLAGIO

Bruno Mars, barkeep?

Hawaii’s superstar, a big draw as a showroom star in Las Vegas, is the barkeep of The Pinky Ring, a ritzy new lounge at the Bellagio resort on the strip on Monday (Feb. 12).

To elevate the opening night, Mars’ long-time band, The Hooligans, will be the resident band for two weeks only. Hmmmm, would Mars take a mike, to share his uptown funk moves, at The Pinky Ring?

“I’ve been performing in Vegas for years, and I’ve always wanted a place where I could throw glamorous parties when I’m in town,” Mars (pictured) said when the project plans first were announced.
“A place that felt like my personal penthouse suite, with live music and sensational cocktails. The Pinky Ring is that,” he said.

The Pinky Ring is located on Bellagio’s casino floor  where Lily Bar & Lounge once occupied.

Hours will be from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.  Entertainment will include all kinds of music…

Two more restaurant closures

Sorry to report the upcoming closures of two restaurants.

Paisano, the popular Italian restaurant at Manoa Marketplace, will be shutting down Feb. 17 after 32 years. For theater goers like me, who usually dined there before a Manoa Valley Theatre show, Paisano was a tradition for a hearty, delish dinner before theater. Yes, there are a few other restaurants at the marketplace, but none with the quality of food and swiftness of service. The closure is due to issues with the owner’s health, since no one is able to take over the operations.

Haili’s Hawaiian Food, a popular dine-in, take-out restaurant in Kapahulu, will close in June. Other details are not known…

Super troupers

This is Super Bowl weekend, with Usher (pictured0 headling the halftime show on Sunday, when Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs take on Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers.

To me, Bruno Mars staged the best, most entertaining and cohesive show, with only his band, The Hooligans, pumping up the pulse. No backup singers, no chorus of hoofers, no assembly of marchers/dancers to fill the field and/or multiple stages. And no aerial entrance. or animal prop to trot in. No need. Just Bruno.

So who drew the largest at-home TV audiences at earlier Super Bowls?

The Top 10, with year and viewership:

1—Rihanna, 2023, 121.017 million

2 —Katy Perry, 2015, 121 million.

3–Lady Gaga, 2017,  117.5 million.

4—Coldplay, 2016, 115.5 million.

5–Bruno Mars, 2014,  115.3 million.

6–Madonna, 2012, 114 million.

7–Beyoncé, 2013, 110.8 million.

8– Black Eyed Peas, 2011, 110.2 million.

9–Justin Timberlake, 2018, . 106.6 million.

10—Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, 104 million.

It’s a coveted gig, and only elitist acts get invited to do the party. They’re’s no paycheck for this honor, only the joy of publicity and viewership…

‘Lion King’ back to No.. 1 on Broadway

On Broadway, “The Lion King” has roared back to reclaim No. 1 on the list of grosses:

1 – “The Lion King,” $1,666 million.
2—“Hamilton,” $1,656 million.

3— “Wicked,” $1,602 million

4 — “Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,517 million.

5 —  “MJ The Musical,” $1,317 million.

6 – “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” $1,517 million.

7—“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $1,113 million.

8 – “Aladdin,” $1,068 million.
9 – “& Juliet,” $1,o10 million.

10—”Back to the Future: The Musical,” $953,000.

And here’s the complete rundown of shows and grosses, courtesy The Broadway Guild:

And that’s Show Biz…