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‘MAGNUM’ HAS A LUCKY STREAK GOING

“Magnum P.I.,” abandoned by CBS and rescued by NBC, just might be the fall season’s luckiest procedural.

First, it has a bunch of completed but not yet viewed episodes – dubbed the second-half of season five – when CBS rushed to cancel the show. NBC became the savior, like the good soul that rescues a abandoned child at the fire station.

This has been a tense, unexpected fall season, since WGA and SAG-AFTRA members decided to go on strike, creating a havoc for series that had to shut down since writers could no longer create valuable new scripts to film and actors joining the picket lines.

Because “Magnum” had half-a-season of episodes in the can, this was a gold mine, good enough for NBC programmers deciding to give the island-filmed, island-shot a solid Thursday night slot since fresh scripted shows were not available.

So on Oct. 4, at 8 p.m., “Magnum” wlll air where one of NBC’s prestigious  franchise “Chicago” episodes called home, since the “Chicago” shows – M.D., Fire and P.D. –are also off the radar, till new scripts are written and readied for production. The “Chicago” camp is not thrilled that one of its slot is going to be taken by “Magnum.”

Perdita Weeks as Higgins, Jay Hernandez as Magnum: Lucky and tardy?

NBC has released a trailer on the resilient “Magnum,” with Jay Hernandez as Thomas Magnum, uttering “Doing what I do is risky,” as he leaps from a rooftop. But with a dramatic new edge, he admits, “When you least expect it, everything can change.”

That’s when Perdita Weeks, as his sweetheart-partner Juliet Higgins, tells him, “Thomas…I’m late.” Don’t think she means “tardy for a dinner,” so late, in adultspeak, probably means she’s hapai, missing her period.

The coy, playful dialogue could mean a little Magnum might be on the way, though this can’t be played out since episodes are already filmed and unless “Magnum” earns new life and more show orders, viewers won’t see the baby’s birth.

In addition to Hernandez and Weeks, “Magnum” also stars Zachary Knighton as Orville “Rick” Wright, Amy Hill as Teuila “Kumu” Tuileta, Tim Kang as Gordon Katsumoto, and Stephen Hill as Theodore “T.C” Calvin.

 All previous four season episodes pf “Magnum” are now airing only via Freevee, as part of Amazon Prime’s free-streaming service. …

Only a new development would give birth to more “Magnum” marvels. …

HTY world-premiering‘The Royal School’

“The Royal School” will make its world premiere at 7 p.m. today (Sept. 8) at the Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s Tenney Theatre.

The historic play brings to life a time and place where Hawai‘i’s ali‘I attended the Royal School, an elementary school still operating in Honolulu today.

Hawaiian leaders such as Kamehameha IV, Kamehameha V, Bernice Pauahi Bishop, Queen Lili`uokalani, Queen Emma, and King Kalakaua were together as children at Ke Kula Keiki Ali`i, the Royal School. 

The boarding school was established in 1839 by Kamehameha III for the education of ali`i children, all of whom could be called upon to lead the Nation of Hawaiʻi.

Goods and Cataluna’s play recalls the time when Royal School students often looked to each other for friendship and support to establish aa balance between the Hawai‘i of their ancestors and the changes of global influences, technology and political upheaval being brought to the islands.

The staging is modern with historic material, alongside original songs composed in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, as well as English/Hawaiian rap and mele. 

The production is designed for children 8 years old and up and will appeal to high school students and adults.

Catalulna, co-creator of the piece, said,“The creative team on this project worked to keep the story from the point of view of the royal children — some of whom entered the boarding school when they were 4 years old — rather than from the perspective of their missionary teachers or from the distant gaze of historians. In this play, the childhood voices of Hawaii’s kings and queens transcend time and speak to the children of today, the future leaders of Hawai’i.”

“The Royal School” cast includes Alysia Kepaʻa, Moses Goods, Damani Jones Timson, Annie Lokomaikaiʻi Lipscomb, and Kaonohiokalaealohilohinei Muller

HTY commissioned the new songs by co-creator Goods, music by Mattea Mazzella, and dramaturgy by Ryan I. Kahaʻiolelo Sueoka.

Eric Johnson, HTY artistic director, is directing an ensemble of HTY newcomers, including Alysia Kepaʻa, Kaonohiokalaealohilohinei Muller, and Damani Jones Timson performing with veteran company members, Moses Goods and Annie Lokomaikaʻi Lipscomb.

Jonathan Clarke Sypert is choreographer, Chesley Cannon and Eric West are set and props designer, Iris Kim is costume designer, Mattea Mazzella is sound designer, Chesley Cannon is lighting designer, and Kalani Pokipala is DJ consultant and musician.

After the premiere, performances will be at 4 p.m.Sept.16, 2 p.m. Oct. 1 and 4 p.m. Oct. 7.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.htyweb.org or by calling the box office at (808) 839-9885 ext. 720. HTY Members receive tickets for shows as part of their membership. …

‘Funny Girl’ exits with $2.137 million gross

“Funny Girl” and its leading lady, Lea Michele (as Fanny Brice), have left the building but not before posting a $2.137 million gross, topping the Broadway charts for the week ending Sept. 3. Nope, it did not rain on her parade.

Last week’s leaders, provided by The Broadway League:

1 – “Funny Girl,” $2.137 million.

2 – “The Lion King,” $2.077 million.

3 – “Hamilton,” $1.895 million.

4 – “Wicked,” $1.697 million.

5 – “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” $1.674 million.

6 – “MJ, the Musical,” $1.591 million.

7 – “Aladdin,” $1.362 million.

8 – “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $1.316 million.

9 –“Moulin Rouge,” $1.262 million.

10 – “Back to the Future: The Musical,” $1.234 million

And that’s Show Biz…

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NADINE KAM, ‘THE WEEKLY EATER,’ DIES

The first clue: There was no Nadine Kam restaurant review this morning – she wrote “The Weekly Eater” in the Crave section in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser — and its absence was notable.

Then a friend called mid-morning,  with scanty specifics: Nadine Kam had died earlier today, apparently of cancer. She was 63.

How can someone who loved life, and food, and fashion, depart us so unexpectedly?

Nadine Kam, with her late husband, Christopher Neil.

I knew this prolific journalist, back in the day, when she was a novice, writing articles and reviews in the now-gone Waikiki Beach Press. Nadine even then was a savvy wordsmith under workaholic Ella Chun, who edited the Beach Press tabloid for the visitor audience. 

I don’t remember specifically when she made the plunge to join the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, when it was still an evening paper. Over the decades, she covered fashion with a passion and also emerged as  the town’s leading food maven.

She was a quiet, private sort, involved in a 20 year-plus relationship with Christopher Neil, a copy editor at the Honolulu Advertiser, when it was the morning daily, and their unexpected marriage stunned friends on both staffs of the newsroom on Kapiolani Boulevard, simply because they kept their private lives very private.

Alas, Chris died of cancer in June 2013.

Nadine was retained to continue to dispatch her food reviews in the combined Honolulu Star-Advertiser, but she “retired” a few years ago, opting to be an independent critic who generated her free-lance columns ,  dining at fab new places or revisiting faves from the past, turning in her tabs to the paper to be reimbursed.

Her reviews have always been relished and devoured by local foodies, who cherished her guidance in dining adventures.

She, and her craft of tasting, describing, and sharing tasty conversation of everything from pupu to salads, from entrees to desserts, will be sorely missed.

Survivors include her mother, Phyllis Kam; sisters Natalie, Darlene and Sandra Kam; and brother Nolan Kam.

Services are pending…

And that’s Show Biz. …

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OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND

“NCIS: Hawai‘i,” the newest spin-off in the “NCIS” franchise, is in a vulnerable situation as the new 2023-24 CBS season rolls out in the weeks ahead.

The island-based, island-film series, which was to be in its third season this year, is nowhere to be seen in CBS’ awkward patchwork schedule which mixes reruns of popular crime shows with a cluster of game-and-adventure productions, some old, some new.

For “NCIS: Hawai‘i,” starring Vanessa Lachy (pictured left), the neglect is truly worrisome. Despite a now meaningless third season pickup, the out of sight, out of mind syndrome needs to be turned around. The show, like other scripted productions, is a victim of the writers’ strike which has shut down all scripted shows because a crew of writers can’t craft a show till the labor issues are resolved. The word is even if the strike is settled, there’s no guarantee “Hawai‘i” will get that pick-up.

Rumors and buzz have suggested that it could be over for “NCIS: Hawai‘i,” one of  two remaining “NCIS” dramas (the other is the flagship original), produced by Mark Harmon (pictured, right), which would be in its 20th and possibly last season now, because it’s become an abandoned boat drifting at sea with no destination.

Who’ll rescue the show? Good question, but no answer available.

The on-going writers strike has had a damaging effect for months now, and imminent settlement is not in the cards. Even if the strike is resolved in the months ahead, “Hawai‘i” wouldn’t air till 2024, if it can still find a slot on the CBS schedule. It’s quite curious that CBS will air reruns of such established dramas and comedies as “Blue Bloods,” “FBI,” “Ghosts,” “Seal Team,” and “Bob Abishola” in the new season, but nope, not “NCIS: Hawai‘i.”

Interestingly, at 7.p.m. Sept 16, an “NCIS” encore episode will be shown, a teaser for another “NCIS” 20th anniversary Mini-Marathon at 7 p.m. Sept 25, a one-time special in the show’s usual Sunday slot. Further reruns will air at 9 p.m. Oct. 2 and 9.

CBS has a batch of shows that dodge the need for new scripts, some standby returnees like “Big Brother,” “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race.” And the network will rely on rerunning series, notably “Yellowstone,” which already has aired on CBS’ sister station, Paramount+, but this will be treated as a “new” procedural  launching Sept. 17 as a Sunday fixture (7:30 p.m.) …

And that’s Show Biz. …

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A JARRING CARD, OF THANKS

In my life, I cannot have enough notecards to suit various needs of expression.

Lately, due to an unexpected illness, I value thank you cards (handmade by moi, whenever there’s time) to send to a colleague or even a stranger, to say thanks.

This latest creation is a variation of something I made several years ago, and for lack of a bright idea now, decided to “recycle” with a limited new version. This always gets a warm giggle from recipients.

Tells me that there’s always a need for a jar of thank-yous.

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MR. B’S SALUTE MORE OR LESS FUN

Less is more, as the adage goes, and more or less, “Celebrate 60 Years” – the tribute applauding the six-decades-long career of the late Ronald E. Bright (pictured below) legendary director and stage mentor – succeeded in capsulizing Mr. B’s impact on the cultural scene here.

The show, which ran nearly 2 ½ hours last night (Sept. 2) at the Ron Bright Performance Center at Castle High School, had more highs than lows, but it clearly needed Mr. B’s intervention to keep the momentum going. More or less, the program was nostalgic fun — but needed tweaking.

Unable yet to drive due to health issues since early August, I took a cab ride to and from  the Kaneohe theater, anticipating a crisp celebratory evening. As a follower and journalist cheerleader for Mr. B. for nearly 60 years, I couldn’t miss this one. But yikes, the taxi journey seemed a tad smoother than the show.

The event was a collaboration between the Castle Performing Arts Center (CPAC), where Bright had roots in creating a high school theatrical program like no other, and the I’m a Bright Kid foundation, which was organized after Mr. B’s death to preserve and perpetuate his dreams and legacy.

The problem: the well-intentioned show lacked a director, though the leaders of both camps —Karen Meyer, who succeeded Bright at Castle, who has been at the reigns for 22 years, and Ligaya Stice, a former Bright Kid who now is the executive director of IABK – managed to serve up a fond remembrance of Mr. B, then and now.

The issue was the erratic range of voices of reflections – wonderful at best, overlong at worst – because of the neglect to monitor time and content. If you were there, you know who was splendid and who was not, and it came down to time; when Meyer had to go on stage to nudge one reflective voice to scurry and hurry away from the podium due to a lack of brevity, that’s where the less-is-more guideline applied. Most speakers were spot-on perfect, however.

Two Bright Kids allies: Allan Lau, left, and Devon Nekoba, right.

The performances were astounding, considering the range and variety:

  • “Harmonious,” a remarkable dance sequence by Marcelo Pacleb’s 24 VII Danceforce company, was visually and aurally impressive, with Broadway-quality movements and costumes and projections that had bursts of “The Lion King,” and now-and-wow dances and vocals to stun the eyes and the ears.
  • “This Is Me,” featuring the IABK summertime institute youths, was a reprisal performance with a message-marvelous theme from “The Greatest Showman.” A worthy hana-hou specimen of the ongoing good work inspired by Mr. B.
  • The family vocals on “A Million Dreams,” also from “Showman,” tapped– for the first time – dad Michael Bright, mom Jade Auguay Bright, and their kids, Caitlin, Drew and Colton Bright . A splendid union of talent.
  • Caitlin Bright, literally was “On My Own,” soloing on the “Les Miserables” heart-tugger, and demonstrating the stage is in her future, should she want to focus and go for it.
  • “For Good,” an anthem from “Wicked,” was a demonstration that former Bright divas Kimee Balmilero, Saralea Gamiao Kekuna, Jodi Leong and Ligaya Stice still have the prowess and pizzaz to deliver a ballad.
  • Miguel Cadoy III, the Farrington High School educator, earned hurrahs for his “Man of Mancha” solo, “The Impossible Dream.”
  • The brotherly song of challenges, “Anything You Can Do” from “Annie Get Your Gun,” showed the playful rapport between brothers, Ezekiel Kekuna and Ezra Kekuna.
  • Michael Bright led the opening notes of “If You Believe,” as others chimed in on the Mr. B-chosen anthem from “The Wiz,” now kind of an alma mater among Bright Kids; it was an appropriate show-closer finale, a tune that all youths and adults in a Bright show, then and now, learn by heart and its spirit lives in their daily lives. Believe, and you’ll achieve.

Two archival montages from Bright’s early years as director-teacher and snapshots of various casts in the variety of musical productions over the dates, were fun to watch but both lacked captions to indicate show title and year. One clip had promotional captions that did not have vital what-and-when dates.

Because Sept. 2 would have been Mr. B’s 90th birthday, the cast and the spectators sang “Happy Birthday” to their mentor, and pieces of cakes were shared with folks departing the theater. For sure, Mr. B was smiling approval from his heavely perch.

And appropriately, Mo Bright, widow of Ron, was properly and affectionately declared as a vital element with a legacy in her own right, having been the sidekick of Ron at all productions over the decades.  She believed, back in the days, and continues to believe in his work and his disciples.

And that’s Show Biz. …