JAY HERNANDEZ WILL DO A MOVIE

Since his “Magnum P.I.” contract ends June 30, series star Jay Hernandez isn’t sitting around waiting for a call for a fifth season.

That was so yesterday. So, he’s going to the movies – the big screen – instead. No more waiting game.

According to Deadline, Hernandez is committed to do a film called “The Long Game,” with Jaina Lee Ortiz, Dennis Quaid and Julian Works, based on Humberto G. Garcia’s book, “Mustang Miracle.”

No specific word on who he’ll play, but the film is based on a true tale based in Texas of the mid-50s. The story focuses on five Mexican-American caddies at a ritzy golf club where the discriminatory rules of that era forbade them from playing golf, according to Deadline. Because these caddies loved golfing, they created their own course (albeit, simple one) in the Texas desert with the kokua of a Latino coach, and were skilled enough to beat the wealthy all-white team players in a 1957 Texas State High School Golf Championship, thus overcoming the racist, discriminatory practices of the elite golf course, elevating the pride and power of being Latino.

With filming beginning this month – not sure if it’ll be Texas – this simply means that Thomas Magnum won’t be available if and when CBS, NBC or a cable streaming network announces, very belatedly, the possibility of a fifth season.

Jay Hernadez

OK, “The Long Game” does not have the reputation and respect of a certified weekly police drama set in our Hawaiian turf, but Hernandez is doing the right thing. Eliminate waiting. Find a job. Go for it. Create your own destiny.

Main thing: Forget the awkward and surprising termination of a bona fide hit show for CBS.

The new film, whatever its outcome, should be a redemption for Hernandez, who has helped steer the TV reboot into a reputable and respected project. Each week, there was a bona fide sense of ohana – family – in the episodes, and Hernandez’s wink-eye, have-fun approach, made “Magnum” an easy watch to applaud.

Remember? The season four finale, with Thomas Magnum and Juliet Higgins (Perdita Weeks) committing to each other romantically, begged for a follow-up, which would have logically been the fifth season. But the crude ending, without the follow-up, was a CBS blunder of major proportions. No aloha spirit…

One out, one in

The Actors Group (TAG) has adjusted its 2022-23 season, replacing “Soldier’s Play” with “The Poet and His Song,” in the Jan.20 to Feb. 12, 2023 playdates at the Brad Powell Theatre in Iwilei.

The substitute celebrates the poems of Paul Larence Dunbar, directed by Derrick Brown and Brad Powell.

Told by a cast of costumed actors, the play examines the triumphs and tragedies of the black life experience, in pre- and post-Emancipation America, in the eyes of the poet artists.

The production is written in both the black dialect of the times as well as standard English. It’s the kind of art TAG is savvy in staging in its intimate performing space..

Details: www.tagtickets@hawaii.rr.com or call (808) 722-6941. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

DANIEL DAE KIM TURNING TO COMICS

Daniel Dae Kim, formerly of two island-shot TV series — “Lost” on ABC, “Hawaii Five-O” on CBS – is turning to the comics for his next production.

His newest step, with an Asian American character from comic books, could bolster the image of Asian-Americans, diversifying characters and promoting positive storylines in the process.

As The CW’s “Riverdale” is winding up this year, Kim will extend the Archie Comics franchise to produce “Jake Chang,” a new series via Kim’s 3AD.

According to Deadline, the “Chang” show, written by Oanh Ly and writer-director Viet Nguyen, will be preceded by the character in Archie’s life, who will make his comic book debut this July.

Daniel Dae Kim

The creators envision “Chang” to be in the spirit of “Riverdale,” with a “soapy, noir thriller set in the world of Archie Comics.”

“We are so proud and honored, to be a part of this new wave of Asian-American content created by and starring Asian-Americans,” Ly and Nguyen said in a joint statement.

 “The world of Jake Chang is vast, compelling, and a whole lot of fun. And just like our rascally teen detective, we’re going to lean into the ‘F U’ of the original ‘Fu Chang’ IP and delightfully destroy all familiar tropes and tell a unique Asian-American story.”

Archie Comics previously introduced a character named Fu Chang, an America- educated international private detective living in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the 1940s. Thus, Fu might be the historical inspiration for Jake, but set in modern times.

Kim’s path, from influential Asian character, has become a triumphant career, of boosting and creating multifaceted and stereotype-breaking roles, as a director and a producer with visibility and positivity that have reflected in number of films and TV shows.

He is best known for playing two recurring Asian roles on episodic TV: as Jin-Soo Kwan in “Lost” on ABC  and as Chin Ho Kelly on CBS.”

On “Avatar: the Last Airbender,” a TV production still underway,  his role is that of Fire Lord Ozai. On “New Amsterdam,” he has portrayed Dr. Cassian Shin; as Dr. Jackson Han, he was a doctor on “The Good Doctor.”

On stage, he starred as the King of Siam in “The King and I,” and he voiced the part of Benja on “Raya and the Last Dragon.”

The credits are varied and numerous. He truly has become an Everyman in film work, since he’s practically everywhere, sometimes seen, sometimes not. …

Message to exec producer Kim : Why not contemplate and create a Hawaii-filmed modernized series based on the legendary Charlie Chan, the 1920s murder-solving sleuth launched in Earl Derr Biggers’ novel, “The House Without a Key,” and cast an island Chinese actor in the process? Just thinking. …

Calendar notes

Rolando Sanchez

Rolando Sanchez shares his sizzling salsa songs and sounds, for listening and dancing  at 7:30 p.m. today (June 25) at Manoa Valley Theatre. Tickets are $30, at www.manovalleytheatre.com. Reserved seating policy prevails. …

Manhattan Transfer brings its nostalgic vibes to Blue Note Hawaii, at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. June 30 to July 3. The group is best known for its “Tuxedo Junction” hit. Tickets: $65 and $45, available at www.bluenotehawaii.com. Seating is first-come, first-served, with dinner and beverages options. …

A TV special, “Inspire You and Me,” will air at 9:30 p.m. today (June 25) on K5. It features Roy and Kathy Sakuma, whose names intertwine with ukulele lessons and ukulele festivals, in a joint career that dates back 50 years and tappng thousands of uke-strumming students, young and old alike. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

THE POSTCARD NOTECARD, REINVENTED

With the creative juices going, I revisited my notecard-making project yesterday, and whipped out another series of postcard-notecards. Using sticker images acquired some time ago, I fashioned an old-fashioned “aloha” postcard, in notecard motif, depicting hula dancers, surfers, Aloha Tower, and pineapples for visuals. Sharing a few of the specimens here.

CONCERTS BY THE SEA AT AQUARIUM

For the first time since 2019, when the Covid-19 pandemic shut down life and cultural events, “Ke Kani O Ke Kai,” the summertime musical festival at the Waikiki Aquarium will resume this summer.

The schedule:

  • June 30 – Makana, featuring Bobby Moderow Jr., Kawika Kahiapo and George Kuo.
  • July 21 – Kalani Pe‘a, with Hula Halau ‘O Kamuela.
  • Aug. 11 – Streetlight Cadence and Friends.
Makana

The oceanfront concerts will offer special dinners provided by island restaurant partners.

Those attending will also be able to tour the Aquarium galleries that will be open during the event. Guests should plan to bring mats and lawn chairs for seating on the grass, as well as blankets.

Seating will be tiered, with those sitting on mats on the grass lawn closest to the stage, with those with low chairs behind that group, and those will full-sized lawn chairs seated behind that group.

Because of on-site food vendors, outside food and drink will not be allowed.

Season tickets, including all three concerts, are available; individual tickets for one or two shows are available, at the Waikiki Aquarium website. …

Once Upon One Time’

Lisa Matsumoto’s classic pidgin English musical comedy, “Once Upon One Time,
 will be revived by Manoa Valley Theatre, beginning June 30 at the Kaimuki High School Auditorium.

Cast of Manoa Valley Theatre’s “Once Upon One Time,” playing at Kaimuki High Auditorium.

Matsumoto’s comedic take on familiar fairy tale characters is given a pidgin overhaul, so Snow White and Da Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella and Little Red Hiding Hood appear, singing and spouting da kine pidgin lingo, complete with the appearance of Da Mongoose and funny kine , kinda lolo menehune.

The late Matsumoto did da book and lyrics, and was known for playing Da Wicked Queen, but one new generation of performers will bring new vigor and veneer like you no can imagine. Da music is by Paul Palmore, with Roslyn Catracchio adding extra songs.

Performances going run through July 10 so no fo’get order da tickets at (808) 988-6131 or go visit www.manoavalleytheatre.com and can charge. …

‘Qualities of Starlight’

The Hawaii premiere of Gabriel Jason Dean’s play, “Qualities of Starlight,”
will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday (June 24) at The Actors Group’s Brad Powell Theatre at 650 Iwilei Road at Dole Cannery.

The story is about a couple visiting his aging parents in the Appalachian South, and discover the elders are meth addicts. Science collides with nature, with identity shifts and a cosmos no longer wondrous.

Director Alan Shepard is portraying Junior, Amy K. Sullivan is Rose, Matthew Miller is Theo and Christine Umipeg is Polly.

For tickets, call (808) 722-6941, or visit tagtickets@hawaii.rr.com or www.taghawaii.net

Broadway grosses, week ending June 19

“A Strange Loop,” a Tony-winning Best Musical, is making gains on the Broadway gross roster, but has a way to go; the leading productions have switched places on the weekly compilation, with “Hamilton,” grossing more than $2.2 million, surpassing the former No. 1 ticketing musical, “The Music Man,” which previously scored $3 million tallies, but dropping to $1.7 million and No. 2, with “The Lion King” roaring in at No. 2 with its $1.9 million gross.

The rundown, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz. …

BROADWAY REPORT, FROM SHARI LYNN

By the time you read this, Shari Lynn and husband Michael Acebedo will be sailing to Bermuda, to continue their vacation and their delayed (the pandemic, of course) wedding anniversary celebration.

They were in New York, getting their deli fix, and mixing in Broadway shows and visits with friends in a decidedly saner and more relaxing tempo. No more jamming and cramming the agenda, like the old days.

She emailed, sharing some of their experiences, and took in the revival of “Funny Girl,” the show about Fannie Brice that made Barbra Streisand a certified star. “Beanie (Feldstein), the newbie Brice, was out at the performance the Acebedos took in, but “her understudy, Julie Benko, was sensational,” said Shari. It’s a role I believe Shari played at Diamond Head Theatre, back in the day, so there was keen interest in catching this new version.

Shari Lynn and Michael Acebedo, visiting Ft. Lee Historical Park, near George Washington Bridge in N.Y.

But oy vey, when Shari caught “Company,” she said, but “Guess what? Patti (Lupone) was out.  Jennifer Simard (a Tony nominee) donned a black wig and did justice to ‘Ladies Who Lunch.’ But for me, Elaine Stritch owns that song. The overall production was so well done.”

They attended “Paradise Square,” too, which she said was “simultaneously thrilling and educational. The Kailuans were to see Billy Crystal in “Mr. Saturday Night,” but she didn’t mention it.

But smart cookies: the Acebedos ventured to the theaters at Lincoln Center and saw “Top Gun.” Yep, enjoyed it, like everyone else. “If you like action and Tom Cruise, it’s unbeatable,” she said. …

Settle-ing for ‘Beanstalk’

Keala Settle, a native of Hawaii (Kahuku), will do her first-ever pantomime role over the holidays, in Britain.

Keola Settle as Fairy.

She’ll appear as the Fairy, in “Jack and the Beanstalk,” a Christmas-time presentation by Royal & Derngate in Northampton, London.

In this country, Settle is widely known as the Bearded Lady in Hugh Jackman’s cinematic hit, “The Greatest Showman,” because she delivered that whoppingly powerful rock ballad, “This Is Me,” a declaration of acceptance, no matter who or what you are.

“Jack and the Beanstalk” will run from Dec. 9 through Jan. 2, 2023.

The cast will feature Alex Lodge as Jack and Bob Golding as Dame.

Settle made her West End theatrical debut when she was part of the “& Juliet” cast which was followed by the revival of “Sister Act,” for the Brit theater-goers.“ Panto(mime) is such a beloved institution in this country and I have always wanted to be a part of one,” said Settle, hoping that the panto “Jack” will be “an incredible experience.” …

And that’s Show Biz. …