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August 6, 2022August 6, 2022

END OF RAINBOW AT HAWAII THEATRE

Randy Rainbow (his real name) is bringing his Pink Glasses Tour to the Hawaii Theatre, for a lone performance at 8 p.m. Dec. 2. Honolulu is the final stop of his tour of Mainland cities.

If you’re a YouTube follower of his incredibly creative and expressive parodies of political figures, you know he’s an artist extraordinaire. His parodies, particularly during the Donald Trump campaign and presidency, are mini-musical-moments of whimsy and wonderment, with Rainbow doing all elements of the process. He writes, produces, directs, costumes and clearly is a one-man trouper who knows how to fashion and mount hilarious and powerful slams. His targets include the likes of Joe Biden and a slew of GOP figures; I’ve shared his stuff on my website for years.

In his popular touring show, he can’t do multiple Rainbows in full-bloom costumes, so part of the presentation taps his library of parody gems.

Tickets range from $57.50 to $189.50, on sale at the Hawaii Theatre box office. Two tiers of VIP packages also are available for diehard fans; the $189.50 tier 1 includes premium seating, a meet-and-greet with Rainbow, early entry, and a Q&A session; the $131.50 tier 2 package includes premium seating, early entry, and an autographed copy of Rainbow’s book.

Visit www.hawaiitheatre.com or call (808) 528-0506. …

A gift pahu

Let the drumroll begin! To support wife Nani Dudoit’s launch of her Halau Kaleilehuaikealoonalani, Ho’okena leader Horace Dudoit III gifted his wife-kumu with a spanky new pahu (drum) that certainly will become a valuable addition to her halau.

Horace asked his hula brother/pal Brad Cooper to create the instrument with specific requirements, and when the pahu was pau “it turned out so beautiful that I just couldn’t wait” to give Nani the surprise gift early.

The pahu has a name, Kananinoheaokaleilehua, or Nohea for short., and it means “the lovely and handsome beauty of the lei lehua,” Horace said on a Facebook post. “It has references to all our boys and granddaughter names and the halau where Nani comes from.” …

Kumu Kahua revives ‘Las Vegas’

Kumu Kahua will revive Edward Sakamoto’s “Aloha Las Vegas” comedy beginning at 8 p.m. Aug. 25 at its downtown theater.

The play focuses on a retired widower eager to sell his Liliha home and relocate to Las Vegas, where he might live amid more affordable ease. To go or stay, that is the question.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, through Sept. 24.

Tickets: $5 to $25, at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aloha-las-vegas-tickets-338500192187 …

Around town

After the Point, a flashback of sorts, is slated at 7 p.m. Aug. 20, at the Convention Center. The evening sounds like the comeback disco and the ‘70s and ‘80s bands, since Aura and Greenwood are uniting to bring back the dreamy dancing memories of yesteryear, whether it’s slow dancing or jiving and bouncing on the dance floor. If you frequented The Point After, at the Hawaiian Regent or Rumours at the Ala Moana Hotel, you know what’s in store. For tickets, visit www.hawaiistars.com …

And that’s Show Biz. …

August 4, 2022August 5, 2022

HARMONY ON THE SYMPHONY AGENDA

With the pandemic in its rear view mirror, the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra is looking for harmony and stability in a new four-year contract with the orchestra’s 84 musicians.

The HSO board has ratified the pact, also overwhelmingly approved by the orchestra’s union, Musicians’ Assn. of Hawaii, Local 677, which assures 18 weeks of performances for the first two years, 19 weeks in the third year, and 21 weeks in the final year. The agreements cover the fiscal years from 2022 through 2026, somewhat rare in the still uncertain pandemic cloud that has stalled growth and security for many orchestras.

“The heart of the symphony is our musicians and the signing of this multiple-year agreement ensures that they will have opportunities for growth as we continue our mission-driven work for the community,” said Dave Moss, president & CEO of HSO. “In a large way, it ends years of stops and starts for the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra throughout the past decade and puts HSO in a place of unprecedented stability, even after we’ve navigated the effects of the pandemic.”

“The four-year agreement is unusual among orchestras at this time. For Hawai‘i, it will allow the HSO management time to recover from the detrimental effects of the pandemic and it gives the musicians job security and growth to look forward to,” said James F. Moffitt, president of the Musicians’ Association of Hawaii, Local 677. “This will also strengthen the organization by giving confidence to patrons, donors and sponsors, encouraging them to continue to contribute generously as they anticipate the expanded programming and financial stability of the HSO.”

“The harmony between musicians, board, administration and community serves as the catalyst behind the credibility and trust that has been established over the past three years, both financially and artistically,” said Paul Kosasa, chairman of the HSO board of directors..

The contractual certifications will assure stability for the orchestra, when it launches the upcoming season, beginning Oct. 8, and enables HSO to continue the Halekulani Masterwork Concerts Series, the HapaSymphony Series, Starlight Series and additional special performances ….

‘Doogie’ boyfriends

Alex Aiono will return in season two of Disney+’s “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.,” already in production here. Aiono has been portraying Walter Taumata, the surfer boyfriend of Lahela, the titular character played by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, who is the teen doctor when she’s not in high school. His relationship with Lahela, however, has not been defined since the series this year also cast Milo Manheim in a new recurring role and a likely boyfriend of Lahela.

Aiona also has been a regular in “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin,” the HBO Max streamer, where he appears as Shawn. His Hawaiian/Polynesian looks are from his Samoan-Maori father and he calls Phoenix, AZ his home. …

Casting couch

Keanu Reeves, a Hawaii native of “The Matrix” and “John Wicks” franchises, will star in his first TV mainstreamer on Hulu, “Devil in the White City,” based on Erik Larson’s book. The movie explores the life of Daniel Burnham, a visionary architect, who left his mark on the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, supposed the part Reeves will play, opposite a yet-to-be-cast Dr. H.H. Holmes, considered to be America’s first modern serial killer (200 victims) and the dude behind the “Murder Castle” built in the shadow of the World’s Fair. The film boasts two celeb exec producers, Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio …

Lady Gaga will add wattage to Joaquin Phoenix’s “Joker 2,” officially to be called “Joker: Folie a Deux,” when she plays Harley Quinn, a tongue-in-cheek handle for sure. In an early posting in June, Variety said the sequel would be a musical, though that distinction has not be mentioned in her casting announcement, but it had a musical teaser, tapping “Cheek to Cheek,” a song legitimizing her career as a chanteuse-partner of Tony Bennett rather than an oddly-dressed pop-rocker. ..

Look for James Franco to play Fidel Castro in “Alina of Cuba,” an indie flick about Alina Fernandez, daughter of the Cuban revolution. It’s a true story of her exile from Cuba and also features Natalia Revuetta as the Cuban socialite whose affair with Castro resulted in the birth of Alina. …

Zippy’s Senior Card expiring

If you possess a Senior Card from Zippy’s restaurants in Hawaii, you have until Sunday (Aug. 7) to utilize the card. The program will conclude effective Aug. 8.

A new Zipster program will replace the card, which has been a boon for the elderly with its 10 per cent discount for dine-in or take-out patronage. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

August 3, 2022August 4, 2022

READERS THEATRE MOVING TO TAG

Windward Readers Theatre, a fixture at Pohai Nani retirement residence in Kaneohe for many years, will launch its 9^th Readers Theatre season Aug. 8 at a new location, the Brad Powell Theatre at TAG, The Actors Group at the Dole Cannery complex in Iwilei.

WRT, championed by the remarkably tireless director Vanita Rae Smith and a booster of the Readers Theatre format, has played to intimate audiences for years. Smith scheduled Readers Theatre for 12 years, which were Sunday afternoon sessions at the Army Community Theatre’s Richardson Theatre at Ft. Shafter, for 12 seasons, where Smith was artistic director of 24 years of musical theater successes under the auspices of the U.S. Army.

The Readers format meant that elite and discriminating viewers would huddle on seats on the mainstage, where some of Hawaii’s legendary names would rely on the words of playwrights of works to bring drama to life, with listeners bringing their imagination to the plate.

Now the format will still be targeting readers and listeners alike, in the modest but effective TAG space. These theatrical Dark Night selections — meaning attractions staged during the usual non-show evenings — will be embraced as part of TAG’s new season, with tickets at a modest $20 price.

The premier Readers Theatre vehicle at TAG will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – Aug. 8, 9 and 10 – with Dwight Martin, former Manoa Valley Theatre producing director, embracing John Barrymore, in William Luce’s “Barrymore” directed by Smith. The piece is filled with tension and surprises, surrounding the film and stage star, in the grips of advanced alcoholism, prepping for a production of “Richard III,” and reflecting on his multifaceted life, loves and legendary statue, a leading man on the brink of his last hurrahs.

“The last time we did a Readers Theatre at Pohai Nani was in March of 2020, and the auditorium there has been shut down since,” said Smith of the pandemic that closed nearly everything. “We didn’t charge an admission at Pohai Nani, and had a plate for donations, which went to them to cover expenses (of producing fees).

“Our new home at TAG will broaden the horizon of Readers Theatre, which are oral interpretations that fits the spirit at our new location,” said Smith, who has assembled a slate of Readers Theatres scripts which amount to a legitimate “season.”

Also in the Readers Theatre agenda:

* Jo Pruden, portraying Lillian Hellman in William Luce’s “Lillian,” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26, 27 and 28. Replaces an earlier-announced Bronte work. Directed by Smith.

* Alan Shepherd’s “Mary and Joe,” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4, 5, 10, 11, 12. Featuring Shepherd, Amy K. Sullivan, Christine Umipeg and others. Directed by Shepherd.

* Agatha Christie’s “Murder, Margaret, and Me,” at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23, 24 and 25. Featuring Jo Pruden, Shari Lynn and Eden Lee Murray. Directed by Smith.

* “Sea Marks,” based on a memoir of Gardner McKay, at 7:30 p.m. May 29, 30 and 31, 2023. Featuring Annie Rennick and Peter Clark. Directed by Smith. …

Dark Night Readers Theatre shows require an additional admission, apart from the fees of TAG’s weekend shows.

TAG’s 2022-23 season launches with David Lindsey-Abaire’s “Good People,” directed by Peggy Anne Sigmund, opening at 7:30 p.m. Friday (Aug. 5), with performances Thursdays through Sundays through Aug, 21 (2 p.m. curtain on Sundays). Tickets are $35 adults, $25 seniors and $20 students and military. Visit www.tagtickets@hawaii.rr.com or call (808( 722-6941. TAG requires viewers to don facemasks at all of its shows. …

Broadway grosses, for week ending July 31

The leaders still lead, in the roster of box office champs, but the dollars are fewer at least for now.

“The Music Man” still is No. 1, grossing $2.940 million, but not over the top of $3 million for much of its run to date. So Hugh Jackman is still the Money Man, too.

“Hamilton” again is No. 2, demonstrating it’s still a hottie in the room where it happens, pulling in $2.246 million.

“The Lion King” still has its roar, at No.3 and $2.166 million.

The list is courtesy the Broadway League. And note that the charts now show the rundown by grosses, not alphabetically. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

August 2, 2022August 3, 2022

MS. IGE MEETS POETIC ‘WORDSWORTH’

It’s not an everyday experience, when the First Lady of Hawaii shares and reads a book by a local artist, with the results posted on YouTube.

That’s what’s happening in literary land, when Dawn Amano Ige, Hawaii’s first lady, read and shared one of island poet Frances Kakugawa’s Wordsworth books, the first in a series of children’s volumes in which a mouse named Wordsworth inspires youths to do the right things in life, tapping poetry to resolve conflicts and problems.

Ms. Ige’s support and reading of Ms. Kakugawa’s popular poetry book hurls the printed word into a new dimension and is a gentle prelude of the University of Hawaii Hilo campus’ forthcoming musical theater launching – based on the Wordsworth character created by

Kakugawa – which will be the focus in the November premiere of a musical showcasing the impact and inspiration of a fictional mouse. A win-win for all involved, with this kind of blissful exposure. …

Much ado at night

There’s a splendid mixture of night life events on the August calendar. To wit:

“Na Kupuna Night,” an ongoing evening of Hawaiiana, spotlights Jerry Santos and

Friends, at 6 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Hawaii Convention Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. for bar and dinner service; show from 6 to 7:30 p.m.; vendors available from 3:30 p.m., kanikapila music from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Tickets: $79 for dinner, $49 for cocktails only, available at www.hmpshawaii.com . Presented by the Hawaiian Music Perpetuation Society, supporting the kupuna of Hawaii.

The Shari Lynn Trio makes another appearance at Medici’s at Manoa Marketplace, from 6 p.m. Aug. 27. Featuring Jim Howard on keyboards and John Kolivas on bass. Tickets: $75, includes dinner; doors open at 6 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Visit ww.w.tix.com/ticket-sales
Charlys Ing, longtime advocate of Hawaii Ballet Theatre, is the focus of “Charlybration –A Summer Concert,” at 7:30 pm. Aug. 20 at the Leeward Community Theatre. Tickets: $45, atwww.hawaiiballettheatre.org/events or www.showtix4u.com/events

“Tiki in Waikiki 2022,” featuring the Lloyd Kandell-led Don Tiki, the Waitiki 7, and Sherry Shaoling, will be staged at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Hawaii Theatre. Tickets: $25 to $45, at www.hawaiitheatre.com or (808) 528-0506.
Paula Fuga, popular chanteuse of blues and more, pays tribute to Aretha Franklin in shows at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Aug. 5 ad 6 at Blue Note Hawaii. Tickets: $35 and $45, at www.bluenotehawaii.com or (808) 777-4890.
Beat-Lele, engaged in ukemanship and The Beatles music, performs at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Aug. 12 and 13 at Blue Note Hawaii. Tickets: $25 and $35, at www.bluenotehawaii.com or (808) 777-4890. …

‘American Idol’ auditions

“American Idol” is launching its 21^st season, and the sixth on ABC (Fox was the anchor previously), with “Idol Across America” as the theme of the virtual auditions beginning Aug. 3.

Auditions will be held in all 50 states, plus Washington D.C ., and Hawaii’s chance is pegged for Aug. 19, where wanna-bes from Alaska, California, Nevada, and Washington scheduled the same day.

For info on how to schedule a slot, to virtually make that initial audition before a producer, visit www.americanidol.com/auditions…

The first round of tryouts will begin in the spring of 2023. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

July 30, 2022August 3, 2022

AFFORDABLE BRUNO, BACK IN THE DAY

Imagine seeing Bruno Mars, for $10 ($7.50 for kamaaina). That was the cover charge, in Aug. 1990, when Bruno was Little Elvis in his dad Peter Hernandez’s group, The Love Notes, performing A “Fabulous 50s” show at the Esprit nightclub at the Sheraton Waikiki.

The accompanying newspaper ad is a gem, an early documentation of Bruno’s magic. I saw this show, back in the day, and yep, he had charisma and stage presence then.

Note, too, that Bruno Mars was not yet his show biz name, nor pictured in the ad. We know what ultimately happened, when he grew up and relocated to Los Angeles, to launch a career that hooked an international crowd.

Were you lucky enough to catch this gig by chance?