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We’re midway through the countdown of Christmas decor, the 2024 season…
No. 14—A sitting Santa means a tired one; so this one is perched on a mirrored cubed. Notice Nicky’s dangling legs; told you I like this feature. And provided him with a silver brush tree and a green wooden tree for seasonal atmosphere. Merry, merry!
Christmas has arrived at Chef Chai’s, with Santa-in-charge Robert Cazimero serenading while diners enjoy Chai Chaowasaree’s splendid feast.
For the holidays this year, Cazimero is performing five shows, which began Wednesday (Dec. 11) and continues through Sunday (Dec. 15). No, it’s not the lavish theatrical outings of seasons past, when his hula halau gathered and provided a spectacle, singing and dancing. Nonetheless, Cazimero is dutifully vocalizing while performing at the grand piano.
Indeed, the keyboard has become the “orchestra” for Cazimero since he abandoned the stand-up fiddle bass after brother Roland – who was famous for his sit-down guitarmanship on his signature white cube –unexpectedly died.
That was then, this is now, and the less-is-more concept works because of Cazimero’s stewardship. He’s emcee, musician, and crooner, calling the shots. It’s casual, spontaneous stuff, and you never know what to expect. Yes, Cazimero’s two hula soloists – Sky Perkins Gora — and Bully Keola Makaiau – have their solos.
But surprise guest hula dancers always get the proverbial spotlight. On the show I caught Thursday night (Dec. 12), the parade of guests included Robert’s sister, Kanoe “‘Tootsie” Cazimero, kumu hula Vicky Holt Takamine, and Cha Thompson.
Holt Takamine, kumu of Halau Pua Ali’i ‘Ilima, did a solo hula and was applauded for her recent achievement. She has been awarded the 31st annual Dorothy and Lillian Gish prize of $450,000. She is a pioneering, renowned, master teacher of traditional Hawaiian dance, and longtime Merrie Monarch judge.
And among the spectators: Nina Keali‘iwahamana Rapozo
On this night, Cazimero opened with “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and wound up with “Mele Kalikimaka.”
In-between, there were Hawaiian “moments,” like a sweet “Wahine Ilikea,” a vocal that begged for a solo hula; “Ku‘u Home O Kahalu‘u,” the Olomana signature; and a lively “Teve Teve” hula by Bully Keola Makaiau, in honor of Boyce Rodrigues, the late brother of Nina.
One nostalgic entry was a holiday tune, “A Christmas Wish,” penned by Roland, who sang lead, with Robert doing a few harmonic lines. It boasts a sweet sentimental line: “Christmas shouldn’t be just one day a year but all year in your heart.” Welcome to jollywood.
“When You Wish Upon a Star,” the Disney anthem, appeared again, one of his trusty titles, and while in no way linked to “Star,” another oldie — “Puff the Magic Dragon,” the Peter, Paul and Mary hit – was a curious inclusion. Indeed, who sings this anymore? He does.
“Waikiki,” with Cha dancing, was a sentimental favorite from Cazimero’s song bank; she hasn’t lost her hula chops.
“Drinking Champagne,” the Myra English classic, continues to occupy a logical spot in his must-sing list, since it’s the apt tune that accompanies his ritual of hoisting a glass of bubbly, and spectators join the toast.
Yes, Chai’s red Christmas tree a stone’s throw away, signifies the holiday season is in full swing
And if you want to catch Cazimero in one the remaining shows, call Chai’s at (808) 330-0279 for availability though It’s likely already a sellout…
And that’s Show Biz…
Moving right along…Christmas decor creations, through Dec. 25…
No. 13—Now this one’s a beaut! Found her in a bin of ornaments; she has red/orange hair, silver wings, and is clad in a striking turquoise dress; mounted her on a flat circular base of a flat lollipop with a handle accentuated by matching turquoise bow. A white pearl on her chest was the finishing touch. Lovely, if I may say so.
Still in countdown mode, sharing Christmas decor through Dec. 25…
No. 12—Ever see a brown checkerboard gingerbread man? Neither have I. But this fabric gingerbread has a red bow tie, so added a wine glass filled with small white foam pearls and hung a candy cane on his hand. Sure looks like he’s ready to party-hearty.
It was some enchanted evening last night (Dec. 10) when our local girl Broadway star Loretta Ables Sayre took part in a Lincoln Center Theater reunion of the cast of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “South Pacific.”
Her original cast colleagues from 2008, directed by Bartlett Sher, didn’t know that Ables Sayre (who was Tony-nominated for her role of Bloody Mary) would turn the celebratory event into a Lei Day of sorts.
Loretta Ables Sayre, center, at Lincoln Center’s “South Pacific” reunion. Photo by Vogue.
She and her husband David Sayre had quietly ordered 110 vanda orchid lei to present to cast, crew, orchestra, creative staff and LCT staffers, in somewhat of a hana hou lei presentation just like during the original run at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.
“We thought that it would be fitting to close this reunion the same way,” said Ables Sayre via email.
“This concert was a dream come true for all of us,” she said. “Having almost our entire cast reunited to share this show, this music, this story for one last time was glorious. We sat on the stage (a concert rendering of the theatrical hit), and we all saw scenes we had never seen before. The bad part of doing a show is that you never get to see the show because you are normally off stage for the scenes you aren’t in. This time we saw and experienced everything, and we wept through the entire concert.”
The all-star cast included Kelli O’Hara (Nellie Forbush), Paulo Szot (Emile de Becque), Matthew Morrison (Luther Billis), Danny Burstein (Lt. Cable) and Ables Sayre (Bloody Mary).
The event marked two milestones: the 40th anniversary of Lincoln Center Theater, and the 75th anniversary of the 1949 musical, whose only revival on Broadway was the 2008-2009 LCC production, which earned seven Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical, Best Direction, Best Scenic Design, Best Costumes, Best Lighting, Best Sound and Best Actor in a Musical (Paulo Szot).
“I still cannot believe my great good fortune to have been a part of this cast,” she reflected. “And having and hearing the orchestra on stage behind us was unbelievable. Lincoln Center gave us all a gift of doing this show together one more time and we will never forget it. It was like having your dream come to fruition again. What an enormous blessing.”
Ables Sayre also got an online thrill. “I made it into Vogue (online),” she emailed about the magazine’s coverage of the “South Pacific” reunion event, that included reportage of “the purple lei” plus an image of Ables Sayre…
Broadway grosses, for week ending Dec. 8
The holiday musical comedy, “Elf,” continues to attract Broadway audiences during this time of year, land in fourth place and beating the likes of “MJ the Musical” and “Gypsy.”
The Top 10:
1—”Wicked,” $2.930 million,
2—”The Lion King,” $2.883 million,
3—”Hamilton,” $2.579 million,
4—“Elf,” $1.947 million,
5–“Sunset Blvd.,” $1,821 million,
6—”MJ The Musical,” $1.711 million,
7— “Gypsy,” $1.622 million,
8—”The Outsiders,” $1.840 million,
9—“Aladdin,” $1.823 million,
10—”Hell’s Kitchen,” $1.574 million.
The full list of grosses, courtesy the Broadway League:
And that’s Show Biz…