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DHT LANDS ‘FROZEN’ FOR 2024

Feel the chill? Diamond Head Theatre has secured the rights to be the first community group to stage the Disney film-turned-stage hit “Frozen,” involving Elsa and Ella and amid a wintery wonderland.

The popular musical – a Hawaii premiere — will top DHT’s 2023-2024 season and will be staged July 26 through Aug. 11, 2024.

It will replace “My Fair Lady,” originally pegged in that time slot. Thus, data in an earlier DHT season mailer are now incorrect and obsolete.

Current season subscribers will get first dibs in securing tickets, through May 19, 2023.

The new season will include “Mamma Mia!,” “Scrooge, the Stingiest Man in Town,” “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,” “Kiss Me Kate,” and “Tootsie,” with “Frozen” winding up the season.

New season subscribers will have to wait till early summer to order tickets. …

Tony nominees will be named May 2

Nominees for this year’s 76th annual Tony Awards will be announced May 2, in a ceremony hosted by Lea Michele, currently starring in “Funny Girl,” and Myles Frost, , last year’s Best Actor in a Musical for his role as Michael Jackson in “MJ, the Musical.”

The announcement will be streamed via the Tony Awards’ YouTube channel

The actual Tony Awards program will be staged June 11, originating at the United Palace in Washington Heights, New York, and airing live via CBS…

Symphonies important

The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra staged four free concerts at the Hawaii Theatre for school keiki and their teachers, with 3,200 listeners tuning in April 20 and 21.

What a splendid treat. The HSO’s Fund for Education and Community Engagement partnered with other community resources to make the shows possible. Others engaged in the endeavor included Hawaii Theatre’s Partners in Arts Program, the U.S. Forest Service, the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture, and the Arts, and DOFAW (the Division of Forestry and Wildlife). Students in grades 4 through 12 were eligible to attend, and the performances focused on music and themes connecting classical music, hula, art, science and the importance of Hawaii’s native forests, linking visuals with live performances.

I recall, from way back in time (and memory), that I saw and heard my first symphonic music when the Honolulu Symphony, the predecessor of HSO, performed “Peter and the Wolf” at the McKinley High School Auditorium. The maestro was George Barati, just to indicate how long ago this was, and while the Hawaii Theatre already was standing, it likely was waiting for the renovation that came, and Blaisdell Concert Hall was not yet erected.

I was not wholly mesmerized by  the classical genre, but the early exposure was an important revelation: that there was a spectrum of music I would explore in the years to come. …

And that’s Show Biz. ….

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BREAKFAST FOR DINNER — WHY NOT?

It’s been months, since I’ve had breakfast for dinner. ‘Tis the breakfast item — two eggs, plus hamburger patty, with a side of brown gravy — from Liliha Bakery.

The meal comes with rice and a side salad, Just the right fare last night, at the Macy’s Ala Moana Center location.

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4 ADDS, 1 MINUS IN ‘LILO’ CASTING

There have been four additions and one subtraction in the “Lilo & Stitch” cast list for Disney’s first live-action feature film, shooting here for eight weeks.

New to the cast:

  • Tia Carrere, pictured left, the island singer-actress from the original animated series, returns to play the child services character Mrs. Keoka.
  • Amy Hill, pictured right, Kumu from “Magnum P.I.,” will play Tutu, an elderly character. She is widely known for enacting motherly and grandmother characters.
  • Courtney B . Vance, pictured right below, a veteran actor on Broadway, in films and on TV,  will be Cobra Bubbles.
  • Kaipo Dudoit, pictured left, a member of Robert Cazimero’s Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua,has been tapped to perform the David character, replacing the earlier-announced  Kahiau Machado, who dropped outfollowing a Disney internal social media audit revealing some negatives.

Maia Kealoha, of course, is the title character Lilo with Chris Sanders voicing her best buddy. Stitch, who will be a computer-generated character.

Dean Fleischer Camp will helm the project from the Chris Kekaniokalani Bright screenplay…

Mom’s the word

Mother’s Day – May 14 – offers a few splendid shows to honor all moms this year.

Among the attractions:

  • Amy Hanaiali‘i , pictured left, headlines the largest show, heralding the 25th anniversary of “Palehua,” a song she recorded with the late Willie K, from  2 p.m. May 14, at the Hawaii Theatre. Her co-stars will be Kainani Kahaunaele and her daughter; Pomaik‘ai Keawe Lyman with her daughters; Marlene Sai, and Mailani Maka‘ina‘i. Tickets are $35 to $75, available at www.hawaiitheatre.com
  • Na Leo Pilimehana’s Mother’s Day brunch concert, is slated  at 10:00 a.m. May 14 at the Hawaii Convention Center ballroom. Doors open at 10 a.m. for brunch, served from 10:30 a.m; show at noon. General admission entry, from 11:45 a.m.  Nalani Jenkins, Angela Morales, and Lehua Kalima will feature Josh Tatofi as their guest star. Tickets are $65 (general) to $110 (reserved, with brunch),  $80 for children3 to 11,  available at www.hawaiiconvention.com

Comedian Frank DeLima , pictured right, will present his Mother’s Day brunch show at 1 p.m. May 14 at Blue Note Hawaii. Premium seating is $45, loge and bar area is $25. Beverage and brunch options available. Tickets at www.bluenotehawaii.com or call (808) 777-4890. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

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MAY DAY IS, INDEED, LEI DAY

Make a lei. Wear a lei. Give a lei.

For decades, these sentiments have embraced the annual Lei Day tradition.

So get set for May Day/Lei Day.

Three key happenings:

  • Robert Cazimero, pictured left, headlines a May Day concert, from 7 to 9 p.m. May 1, at Bishop Museum’s Great Lawn. The evening of Hawaiiana will be rich with talent and robust with folks donning lei. Two Hawaiian music treasures, Nina Keali‘iwahamana and Jerry Santos, are life-long troupers linked with island mele, will perform, keeping the kupuna glory alive. Keauhou, the 17-time Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning trio, represents the next-generation spirit of mele.  Cazimero’s Hālau Nā Kamalei o Līlīlehua, will provide the hula, along with Hālau Ka Lehua Tuahine under the direction of kumu hula Ka‘ilihiwa Vaughn Darval. Debbie Nakanelua-Richards and Billy V will co-host. A pre-concert Ho‘omau Market, from 5 to 7 p.m., will offer kau kau and pre-show entertainment. Tickets: $30 to $120, at www.wearalei.org …

  • Halau I Ka Wehu, led by kumu Karl Veto Baker, pictured near right, and Michael Casupang, pictured right, will mark its silver (25th) anniversary with a May Day concert at 7 p.m. May 1 at the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell. Halau members are selling tickets, priced from $35 to $50 for reserved seating, and $25 for general admission lawn seating. …

  • Kalani Pe‘a, pictured left, multi–Grammy and Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner,  leads a May Day show from 4 pm. April 30 (yes, a day earlier) at the Hawaii Theatre. On board: Nāpua Greig and Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka, Mākena (the blend of Ho’okena members and  Louis “Moon” Kauakahi of Mākaha Sons) with kumu hula Nani Dudoit and Hālau Kaleilehuaikealoonālani), Liam Molet, Miss Aloha Hula Manalani English and kumu hula Leimomi Ho. Mele Apana will be the host. Tickets: $45 to $100, at www.hawaiitheatre.com …

Lei contest at Kapiolani Park

The city’s 95th annual Lei Day Celebration, highlighted by a lei contest, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 1 at Kapiolani Park.

Lei makers – the professionals as well as hobbyists – will create inventive fresh-flower lei to compete in a contest celebrating the facets and foundation of lei-making, utilizing blooms as well as different methods and skills of lei-making.

The city also selected an ensemble of Lei Day queens:

  • Leilani  Kūpahu-Marino Kahoʻāno, pictured, is Lei Day Queen.
  • Melodie Lynn Leinaʻala Naluaʻi Vega is First Princess.
  • Charlene Kapualani Kauhane Harano is Princess.

There is no admission to the contest. The event includes Hawaiian entertainment, exhibits and demonstrations.

Late Night musical at UH Lab Theatre

“Oridinary Days,” a musical about friendship, love and loss, will be staged April 28 to 30 at the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre at Kennedy Theatre, on the University of Hawaii campus.

The show is co-directed by Jasmine Haley Anderson and Rebecca Mahar as a part of their MFA Acting thesis project. Written  by Adam Gwon, the musical features a cast of four, and illuminates the struggles of people who are affected by trauma, emotionally struggling with self-worth, feeling alone, and seeking to find a friend.

The hope is that the connections and depictions will yield joy, conversation, and comfort, leading to empowerment.

Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Seating is limited and donations will be accepted at the door; however, no one will be turned away for lack of funds…

And that’s Show Biz …

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‘STITCH’ WON’T BE ORDINARY DOG

The mystery is confirmed, with the announcement that Chris Sanders — the only voice heard in Disney’s hit TV series and subsequent animated feature films — will continue to provide the words and sounds of Lilo’s sci-fi dog-like pet in the forthcoming “Lilo & Stitch” live-action movie.

Simply put, Stitch will be created by computer graphics, with genetically altered technology earlier embraced in the making of “The Lion King.” Not merely a dude in blue…but one with destructive power.

Thus, Sanders (pictured left)  will provide the voice and words for Lilo’s sci-fi dog-like alien.

As earlier announced, the Big Island’s Maia Kealoha, 6, has been cast as Lilo Pelekai, in her film debut.

The cast will include Sydney Agudong, 22,(pictured left), as Nani, Lilo’s sister. It’s also her big screen debut, though she has minor TV credits.

And Kahiai Machado (pictured left) will portray David Kawena, Lilo’s surfer friend, which was originally voiced by Jason Scott Lee in the original TV series. In this outing, David will emerge as Nani’s love interest.

Zach Galifianakis has been mentioned to portray Wendy Pleakly, a quirky Galactic Federation agent. Further, Billy Magnussen has been listed to be in the cast, though the role is unknown.

The new film will continue the exploits of Lilo and Stitch, extending their bond while still residing in Hawaii, and plagued by government agents and social workers, according to online reports.

The Dean Fleischer Camp is directing; the group has a background in comedy and is known for its “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.” The screenplay was written by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and the production is being overseen by Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich.

Though a release date is not yet firm, it’s likely to be on Disney+’s 2024 agenda. …

Tam among actors in ‘Earth Day’ concert

Jason Tam, Hawaii actor (“A Chorus Line,” “Jesus Christ Superstar”) will be among the participants in the second annual “Broadway Celebrates Earth Day” concert on Saturday (April 22) at Times Square.

The Broadway Green Alliance, in partnership with the Times Square Alliance, are co-hosting.

The event will be staged from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Broadway, between 45th and 46th Streets. If you happen to be New York, local boy Tam (pictured right) will appear in the morning program.

 Seth Rudestsky and James Wesley will host the concert. …

Broadway grosses, for week ending April 16

So “The Phantom of the Opera,” which closed April 16 after a 35 year run, left the building (the Majestic Theatre), taking along $3.739 million in its adieu.

The tally might’ve reached $4 million, because the finale included a lot of comps and likely a star-studded crowd eager to see the chandelier crash for the final time.

Here are the top seven shows, for the week ending April 16, with figures provided by The Broadway League:

1 — “The Phantom of the Opera,” $3.739 million.

2 — “The Lion King,” $2.825 million.

3 — “Wicked,” $2.251 million.

4– “Hamilton,” $2.040 million.

5 — “Sweeney Todd,” $1.789 million.

6 — “Funny Girl,” $1.762 million.

7 — “Aladdin,” $1.761 million. …

Here’s the complete list:

And that’s Show Biz. …