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A DECLARATION OF INCANDESCENCE

“This Is Me,” an I’m a Bright Kid Foundation (IABKF) youth-centric  musical, is a declaration of incandescence, featuring teens who spent several weeks learning the essence of the theatrical experience.

Playing four times only – Friday night, Saturday afternoon and evening, and at 2 p.m. Sunday (July 30) at the Paliku Theatre at the Windward Community College —  “This Is Me” is profoundly and personally a reflection of growing up, mixing appropriate tunes mirroring  each kid’s take on the why’s and how’s of crossing the bridge from kid to teens, while simultaneously shaping a live show in a legitimate performance space.

Mentored by a dedicate corps of teachers, the kids express their “me” in the mentoring process, singing, dancing, and enacting what ultimately is a memorable shared experience in the making of a show.

The I’m a Bright Kid Foundation’s youthful cast : all shapes and sizes.

Oh, what charm and fun. There is no single star in this shimmering galaxy; all lads and lasses are equals and bring singular bursts of joy in declaring their individual “me.” The 40-plus in the ensemble come in all ages and sizes, with varying degrees of experience on stage, and it’s exhilarating when the entire troupers are whirling, kicking, dancing with cyclonic strength, bodies moving in circles of energy.

Diversity is an undercurrent, with a mixed plate of voices and faces – white, black, Asian and surely hapa-this or that —  which distinguishes the show’s sheen and style.

Led by artistic director Jade Stice, herself an accomplished stage professional and  backed by a team of musical (David James Boyd), vocal (Moku Durant, Sarahlea Kekuna) and choreographic (Lisa Herlinger-Thompson, Annie Yoshida) adult directors, the show is an IABKF trademark.

Youthful participants in grades 3 to 12 interpret a number of known and not-so-famous tunes with kaleidoscopic vigor,  yielding a genuine, heart-tugging reflection of growing up amid the angst and aspirations of finding their place in life’s journey.

Some kids are terrific singers, others not so accomplished, but certainly eager to share and  try, best exhibited in Colbie Callait’s “Try,” fueled with wistful wonderment. The tone is try, but don’t overdo the effort; do the best you can.

“Landslide,” the Fleetwood Mac entry, features a trio of older girls (Faith Morrow, Zoe Naso, Moana Simmons) taking turns with a trio of younger girls (Alana French, Aria Kuboyama,  Kamren Neste) synchronizing voices and perspectives about girlhood.

“I’ll Stand by You,” a song by The Pretenders, is a joyous buddy number, delivered with powerful sense of loyalty, by Ezekiel Kekuna and Ezra Kekuna, with Oziah Wurlitzer on keyboard.

One of the hysterically funny numbers is a rap/hip-hop take on Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” with Noe Kaimu loa, the Kekuna brothers, Damian Mendez and keyboarder Wurlitzer gyrating with obvious joy and intensity.

Similarly, the kids are in vogue with a mashup of “Express Yourself” and “Born This Way,” putting their youthful harmonies and movements to the Madonna and Lady Gaga signatures.

“Me” matters in “This Is Me.” This is a rehearsal shot. (Courtesy IABKF)

A series of “I Am” monologues interspersed within the larger production numbers, with single or group revelations about hope, fear, loves, hates and other challenging idiosyncrasies of teenhood.

The show’s  title tune – the soul-moving, self-assuring song popularized by local girl Keala Settle in the Hugh Jackson musical film, “The Greatest Show,” is the perfect vehicle to bring out the best of the cast. Every “me” matters.
The concept of the summer musical is the seventh in the IABKF series, led by Allan Lau, a dedicated fulltime teacher and the theater group’s current  president. David James Boyd, the morning program director, helped shape the daytime sessions with the youngsters that evolved into the cast now doing the show. Ligaya Stice, sister of Jade, is the IABKF executive director, who continues to run the office and makes certain the spirit and inspiration of the late Ron Bright continue to be the lightning rod for developing future theater talent ….

And that’s Show Biz. …

‘This is Me’

A presentation of the I’m A Bright Kid Foundation, to perpetuate the legacy of the beloved teacher-director, Ron Bright

When: final performance at 2 p.m. today (July 30)

Where: Paliku Theatre, at the Windward Community College

Tickets:  $13 to $28, at https://www.showtix4u.com/events/24380/?event=75386&date=200187

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A SUMPTUOUS THAI MENU AT CHAI’S

Just home from a splendid Thai dinner at Chef Chai’s on Kapiolani Blvd.

Chai Chaowasaree outdid himself with a sumptuous seven-course meal. He said the fare was stuff from his childhood — authentic dishes with incredible flavors. A happy memory, now a reimagined feast for Hawaii diners.

The lineup included:

* Kai Satay — chicken tenderloin on sticks, with peanut sauce, with a cucumber salad accompaniment, plus Asian flat bread.

* Po pia tod — crispy Thai spring rolls of shrimp, ground pork, onions and mushrooms,  with lettuce, cucumbers and flavored sauce.

* Som tum — green papaya salad, seasoned with garlic, tamarind dressing, dried shrimp, long beans and tomato, with gigantic shrimp chip for crunch.

* Tom kah kai — a creamy lemongrass soup with chicken and mushrooms and coconut milk.


* Pra lad pik — crispy whole fish with chili ginger sauce and scallions.

* Pad Thai koong — noodles with shrimp, chicken, tofu, bean sprouts, chives and chopped peanuts.

* Khao neou mamoung — Thai sticky rice with coconut milk and sweet mango slices.

This special menu is served family style; cost is $67 per person, with seatings at 4 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.. through Sunday (July 30).

Wayne and Vi, at Chef Chai’s Thai menu night.

Reservations required at www.chefchai.com or (808) 585-0011; credit card required to assure seating.

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KOKO MARINA THEATRES CLOSING

Consolidated Theatre’s abrupt announcement that it was shutting down the multi-plex at the Koko Marina Shopping Center is disheartening but not surprising.

The facility opened on July 6, 1984, as a twin theater but evolved into an eight-screen suburban film house on Oct. 1, 1999.

I saw “Oppenheimer” last Sunday and “Barbie” last night.

Business was scanty, but let’s face it: Koko Marina merchants have been making a quick exit.

There were clear hints that a shutdown was coming:

  • The concession stand has not been restocking candy; last night, when I got that free combo pack of a small soda, small popcorn, and a choice of a box of sweets, there was no choice but Raisenets. I liked Goobers best, but that’s not been an option for months. And the Butterfingers also was out.
  • Last Sunday, three or four of the smaller screen theaters had broken air-conditions, with a warning posted at the ticket desk.
  • Last night, there were four or five urinals in the men’s restroom that were covered with plastic and signage that said they were broken.
  • The theater has not utilized its usual box office for ticketing; when the indoor door was open, I could see piles of boxes and debris galore. It’s simpler, I guess, to do biz from that concession space.

Koko Marina Theatres’ closure not surprising.

Clearly, Consolidated has let the theaters deteriorate over time. Koko Marina was not part of the re-imaging of the cinema experience, with lounge seating. Costly, for sure, but an indicator that East Oahu has not been a priority. Even the nameplate outside was not functioning for quite a while (the lights were out for the numeral 8) but repaired recently.

So, the closure on Sunday is sad but part of the reality at Koko Marina.

Assaggio also closes its doors Sunday. Zippy’s beat ‘em to the punch, eliminating the dining room and only doing take-out. Ben Franklin pulled out several doors down from the theater, and a game room biz tried to make a go there but couldn’t.

A string of tenants, from Al Phillips and around the corner to the UPS store (it’s still open), had leak and mold issues, so are history.

I’ve been doing my community best to patronize merchants at the center – dined at the Kona Brewing Company last night and Harbor Village, the Chinese-food restaurant tucked away on the unseen side of Koko Marina last Tuesday – since it’s important to support your area merchants.
The still-in-construction restaurant next to Assaggio faces a dismal future, with many dark spots, like Fatboys across the way. Moena Café seems to be holding out, with its niche audience.

Roy’s following is steady, and its 35-year run down the street at the Hawaii Kai Towne Center is admirable. Scratch, at the former Outback Steakhouse site, is struggling with a menu that is not appealing and pricey.

But the big blow is the shuttering of the movie theater. Consolidated is offering $7 tickets and free popcorn Friday through Sunday’s closing, but it’s too little too late.

Will the Sunday church services be pau after the shutdown?  Could Consolidated do what Zippy’s did, and operate only certain screening rooms? What do you do with a space with lots of seats but broken toilets?  Will other businesses open and tap the space for other purposes?

Perhaps theater groups – stage attractions – can find a way to build stages and dressing rooms to do live musicals and plays, with rentals based on use?

Just wondering and hoping the space doesn’t just sit and wait for the destruction…

HJQ performing at Beerworks

John Kolivas (pictured right) and his HonoluluJazz Quartet will perform from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Honolulu Beerworks, at 328 Cooke Street in Kakaako

The group will be celebrating its recent Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Jazz Album of the Year.

There is no cover charge or minimum but seating is limited. …

Broadway + four-part harmonies

The Sounds of Aloha, the barbershop quart group, will stage
“Broadway Over the Years,” at 7:33 p.m. Aug.12 at the Hawaii Theatre.

Guest star Shari Lynn (pictured left) will be a featured attraction, opening the second act of the program.

After Hours, an international award-winning barbershop quartet, also will be on the roster.

Tickets: $12 to $49, at www.hawaiitheatre.com or (808) 528-0506. …

Broadway grosses, week ending July 23

Broadway’s long-running musicals, led by “The Lion King,” still rule at the box office.

For the week ending July 23, the Lucky 7 were:

1 –“The Lion King,” $2.469 million

2– “Wicked,”$1.916 million.

3 — “Hamilton,” $1.892 million.

4 — “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” $1.830 million.

5 — “MJ, the Michael Jackson Musical,” $1.622 million.

6 — “Aladdin,” $1.617 million.

7 — “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $1.435 million.

The full list, courtesy The Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz …