IN MEMORIAM…
THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY DAYS
Since his splendid May Day concert last May at the Great Lawn of Bishop Museum – staged ‘neath that tented behemoth – Robert Cazimero, pictured below, has been enjoying a merry time, making good his wish and promise to share Lei Day beyond the reef.
Of course, the principal show had all the bells and whistles: the legendary kilohana presence of Cazimero, soprano Nina Keali‘iwahama and Olomana’s Jerry Santos. Cazimero’s Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, along with another guest halau, provided the syncopation and seduction of hula auwana and kahiko.
Following Oahu, Big Island audiences were treated to a performance May 13 at Kahilu Theatre, in Waimea, though with an abbreviated cast. It’s a longstanding tradition, to visit the Big Island, since The Brothers Cazimero “owned” May Day, since the era they delivered that May Day spectacle at the Waikiki Shell… where the tradition had its roots.
And this past week, Cazimero traveled to Japan to share that powerful cultural breeze of Hawaiian music, for hula-happy Nippon audiences, tapping soprano Keali‘iwahamana, pictured below right, and his “house band,” the singing, strumming, dancing trio of Keauhou (Zachary Lum, Nicholas Lum, and Jonah Solatorio) not only to showcase the group’s instrumental and vocal energy, but also the hypnotic hula since the chums also dance with Cazimero’s halau.
The Keauhou presence, and participation in Lei Day, has bolstered the foundation as it now has planted seeds in new markets to set more Hawaiian roots beyond the islands. The Japanese, of course, adore Hawaiiana, and appreciate and eager to grow the “make a lei, wear a lei and give a lei” tradition. And with Zach Lum and his colleagues at the core of the event, the future looks stable and bright, with a growing village of supports eager get this thing glowing.
Every day can lei day any time, any place, but the practice becomes powerful when the mele and marvel are connected to faces and names that translate to trust. …
Hugh Jackman’s ‘Oklahoma!’
Advisory for fans of Hugh Jackman: Before he became a superstar of film and stage, he played Curly in a filmed musical of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” in Australia.
By all accounts, this 1998 vehicle would become a talking point and casting barometer to propel book him toward a musical, on stage or on the big screen.
I first saw him in his Tony Award-winning role where he portrayed Peter Allen in “The Boy From Oz,” his first Broadway musical, but missed him in last year’s “The Music Man” where he enacted Professor Harold Hill.
We’ve all seen and heard him in the last film version of “Les Miserables,” where he was Jean Valjean, and of course, he was the reason “The Greatest Showman” became a blockbuster, the hit film where he played P.T. Barnum.
So back to “Oklahoma!” The vintage film, with a young Jackman, will make a rare two-day global return, to mark the 80th anniversary of “OK.” In Honolulu, the screenings will be at 3 p.m. July 16 and at 7 p.m. July 19 at Consolidated’s Kahala Theatre, and Regal’s Dole Cannery and Pearl Highlands Theatres.
Tickets ($17.75 Kahala, $15.70 Regal) are already on sale online. Visit https://www.oklahomaincinemas.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw1MajBhAcEiwAagW9McrGH8StzCgwjTTdymD3UUWktat7hpQBQoh2krHYTV4BN7WdhWk4shoCUHMQAvD_BwE …
Earlier this month, President Biden hosted a special screening of the anticipated Disney+ original series, “American Born Chinese,” as part of the largest Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month key event at the White House.
A host of actors of color were on hand. The series, now streaming on Disney+, tracks an immigrant family that includes an American son, at the crossroads of the cultural struggles reflecting real-life issues with storybook fantasies about a new American identity fusing family bonding.
“Nights like these are a reminder of the power of stories,” said the president.Academy Award-winning actor Ke Huy Quan was one of the key participants in the screening; Maui native Destin Daniel Cretton, pictured right, who was executive producer and director of “American Born Chinese,” attended with many other on-camera and off-camera folks, like series stars Ben Wang, Yeo Yann Yann, Chin Han, Daniel Wu, Jimmy Liu and Sydney Taylor, and creative team members including executive producer and author of the graphic novel Gene Luen Yang series creator and showrunner Kelvin Yu, and executive producers Melvin Mar, Jake Kasdan and Erin O’Malley. Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Alex Aiono, stars of the Disney+’s filmed-in-Hawaii series, “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.,“ also attended. …
And that’s Show Biz. …
BRUNO SINGS ‘TREASURE’ AT FAIRMONT
If you’re wondering why Hawaii superstar Bruno Mars, pictured below, performed one of his chart-toppers, “Treasure,” at the Fairmont Orchid’s launch of the new SelvaRey Rum Bar, the answer is simple: He was toasting a rum he owns.
‘Twas was a private, invitational event, and Mars likely waived his singing fees since he is co-owner of SelvaRey Rum, a prestige brand whose aged, single estate White, Chocolate, Coconut and Owner’s Reserve Rums are distilled in Panama.
Waimea folks must’ve heard about a luminary local lad was in their vicinity, and for the occasion, rum’s the word. I mean, how many singers own a rum distillery, and can sing about his boozy treasure? …
Michael Paulo still serving jazz
The sax man cometh again.
Michael Paulo, pictured right, a “name” in the jazz circle here and abroad, will stage yet another “Smooth Jazz Paradise” Concert, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday (May 28) at the Hibiscus Ballroom of the Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra.
Paulo has assembled an all-star band featuring Marion Meadows, a prestigious contemporary jazz saxophonist, who will be joined by Randy Aloya on bass, Michael Grande on keyboards, Garin Poliahu on drums, and Zanuck Lindsey on guitar. Al Waterson will emcee.
A VIP Experience, at 6:30 p.m., includes a meet-and-greet with the artists at a cocktail reception, with coveted premium front-row seating at $250 per person.
Other tickets: $65 presale, for reserved table seating ($70 at the door) and $60 pre-sale for general admission ($65 at the door), available at TIX.com or (951) 696-0184. …
Remembering Tina Turner
Tina Turner, the hypnotic, gyrating, authentic Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, peacefully died today (May 24) at age 83 at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. She had a long illness, and Switzerland was her kingdom of peace.
From her early farmland roots, Turner, pictured left, rose to dizzying heights of splendor, as a genuine star of her rock and blues roots, surviving an abusive relationship with her husband guitar-strumming Ike Turner, whom she divorced.
She was the unchallenged deity of rock, with numerous hit songs recently. explored in a Broadway musical about her conflicted life, and surely a model of a survivor.
Turner was known for her brassy, often gravelly voice in delivery, and her varying style of dress ranging from blue jean jackets to glitzy, shimmering gowns with fringes that danced while body language punctuated her frenetic dances.
Her hit songs were very much a reflection of the soundtrack of life for several decades, from the 1980s to the 2020s, via such classics as “River Deep, Mountain High,” “Simply the Best,” “Private Dancer,” “Proud Mary,” and “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”
Rock legends reflected on her passing.
Brian Wilson, of the Beach Boys, said on Twitter: “I’m so sorry to hear about Tina Turner. I loved Tina and her voice and energy – she was one of the greats. ‘River Deep, Mountain High’ will always be one of my favorite songs. And nothing beats her version of ‘Proud Mary.’”
Bryan Adams, a Canadian artist who joined Turner on the 1985 single “It’s Only Love,” said “the world just lost one hell of a powerhouse of a woman.”
Mick Jagger, leader of the Rolling Stones, grieved her passing and called Turner “enormously talented.” “She was inspiring, warm, funny and generous,” Jagger said in a Twitter post. “She helped me so much when I was young, and I will never forget her.”
Diana Ross’ tweet: “Shocked. Saddened. Sending condolences to Tina Turner’s family and loved ones.”
Singer Ciara said on Twitter: “Heaven has gained an angel. Rest in Paradise Tina Turner. Thank you for the inspiration you gave us all.”
In Hawaii, there was a mammoth concert, staged inside Diamond Head Crater, supposedly for a hush-hush Pepsi-Cola convention audience, starring Tina Turner. Busloads headed to the crater, in the dark of night, then returned for the après-show journey. Believe this was one of the last-ever performance event inside our iconic Hawaii landmark, and the fact that the queen of rock ruled in such a prestigious moment – if you’re Tina, you get state approval to do the gig, where others fail – should be added to her lists of triumphs. …
And that’s Show Biz. …
CHARTING HAWAII’S STAR GALAXY
So, with Iam Tongi crowned as the 2023 “American Idol,” there’s buzz of all kinds about his potential as a bona fide star of the future.
You know, work his way up to the ranks of a Bruno Mars. Maybe sings on the soundtrack of an island-themed movie. Maybe lands a lucrative recording contract.
Will Tongi, pictured left, join the ranks of the rich and famous? Hope so. However, he needs to chart a plan and secure a skilled talent manager to help oversee his interests and collaborate with the goal of shaping a career path. Tongi requires a vision to match his unique talent
My former Honolulu Advertiser colleague Bart Asato, a dependable, prolific and spot-on commentator and observer of the tempo and flavors of life, is currently reflecting (on Facebook) on who among the former and even current musicians and entertainers, have charted No. 1 hits.
Because Bruno, pictured right, is very now and very wow, we know Mars frequently on the charts, as himself backed by the Hooligans, and also as one-half of Silk Sonic, a smooth r&b act.
And yes, Asato’s right about Bette Midler, pictured left, the Divine Miss M. Her credits include “From a Distance,” which peaked at No. 2; “The Rose,” which went to #3; “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” which surprising peaked at #8; and “Do You Wanna Dance” topped out at #17.
“Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You” was soooooo popular, even performed by a teen-age Glenn Medeiros on “The Tonight Show” hosted by Johnny Carson.
Medeiros, pictured left, also had a biggie, with rapper Bobby Brown, “She Ain’t Worth It,” which was #1 in the UK but reached #12 in the U.S.
Other early groundbreaking island talents included Robin Luke, pictured above, a Punahou teen, who wrote and sang an original about his kid sister, and “Susie Darling” was a hottie on “American Bandstand” and peaked at #5.
The Kingston Trio, pictured right on a Life Magazine cover, featured Bob Shane, Dave Guard and Nick Reynolds, was a folk music legend with “Tom Dooley” spiraling to #1. Share and Guard were Buffanblu grads. All are deceased now.
Another star who called Hawaii home, Tommy Sands, was truly “The Singin’ Idol,” a TV film that produced “Teen-age Crush,” Sands’ signature song, which was #1 on Cashbox and #2 on Billboard. Sands, pictured right, starred at the old Outrigger Showroom at the Outrigger Waikiki, and gigged as a nostalgia star before relocating here.
Martin Denny, specializing in exotic music, became a global guru of what evolved as tiki music, was knows for his reinterpretation of a Les Baxter instrumental, “Quiet Village,” which became his signature. He did periodic Hawaii shows and retired in Hawaii Kai, where he died in 2005 at age 93.
So arigato, Asato-san, for your reminiscence. Doing this bit not to compete with you, but to complement your thoughts…
And that’s Show Biz. …
SCHERZINGER SET FOR ‘SUNSET BLVD’
Hawaii actress-singer Nicole Scherzinger will be ready for her film closeup when she stars as Norma Desmond, a silent movie star struggling with the arrival of talkies, in a West End revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical, “Sunset Boulevard.”
Scherzinger, pictured below, is no stranger to Lloyd Webber productions. She earlier played Grizabella in a London version of the musical, “Cats.”
The “Sunset Boulevard” reboot will open in September in the midst of the 30th anniversary of the show, to be staged at the Savoy Theatre in London, directed by Jamie Lloyd.
Lloyd Webber said of Scherzinger, “Nicole is one of the finest singers I have worked with, and I can’t wait to get started on this exciting show with her and the rest of this brilliant team.”
The Desmond role, echoing the life and times of silent movie star Gloria Swanson when she was facing the transition to movie talkies, has a storied past. Patti LuPone originated the role in London, Glenn Close starred in Los Angeles and later on Broadway in New York.
Scherzinger also played Grace in “Annie Live!,” a revival of “Annie,” and voiced the Sina character in Disney’s animated “Moana.” She also starred in ABC’s update of “Dirty Dancing.” …
‘Bad’ news for Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Bad Cinderella,” an unlikely interpretation of the legendary fairytale, is shutting down June 4 at the Imperial Theatre in New York.
The closure, and a brief four-month run, is not surprising.
Lloyd Webber, pictured right, has had a golden run on Broadway for nearly 45 years of triumphs. Thus, his reign is over, since his biggie, “The Phantom of the Opera,” finally has left the building known as the Majestic Theatre. The grand master of British musical has had bad luck this year, when “Cinderella” ticket sales soured, and worse, the show earned zero Tony nominations but amassed mostly bad reviews.
Lloyd Webber’s storied success, which began with “Evita” in 1979, generated a tidal wave of British blockbusters transferred to Broadway from the West End, including his “Cats,” with humans as felines; “Starlight Express,” with actors as railroad cars; “Sunset Boulevard,” about the reclusive and wilting Hollywood silent-film actress battling the arrival of talkies; “Jesus Christ, Superstar,” a rock opera about the religious icon; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” with a hero with a multi-hued coat; and “School of Rock,” about youngsters rocking it out with their school teacher.
A sequel to “Phantom,” with the masked one relocated at Coney Island, never made it to the Great White Way, but in Lloyd Webber’s prime, his stage successes also commanded more Brit imports from the West End to Broadway, including “Les Miserables” and “Miss Saigon.”
Ah, memories….
New g.m. at Chamber Music Hawaii
Christopher Cabrera is the new general manager of Chamber Music Hawaii. He is both a musician and an educator, serving as associate principal timpanist and section percussionist with the Hawaii Symphony orchestra, and serves as a community outreach instructor with the Hawaii Youth Symphony.
Additionally, Cabrera is a board member for the Musicians’ Association of Hawaii, Local 677, American Federation of Musicians and serves as chair of the symphony’s orchestra committee. …
And that’s Show Biz. …