Author: Wayne Harada

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ON STAGE: TWO LOVELORN COMEDIES

Curiously, two island theater stages will offer comedies focusing on lovelorn columnists in the weeks ahead.

  • At Diamond Head Theatre, “The Lady With all the Answers,” premiers April 23. It’s a play by David Rambo, inspired by the newspaper column, “Dear Ann Landers,” that explored romance, heartbreak, and inquiries from singles and couples with a myriad problems, in search of resolution. Esther Pauline Lederer is the actual columnist whose pen name was Ann Landers, and she helped thousands of folks to sort out issues that plagued them in their daily lives, when, in fact, she was personally struggling with her own problems. The show runs through May 2. Tickets: $22.

Call 733-0174 or visit www.diamondheadtheatre.com

  • At Manoa Valley. Theatre, “Tiny Beautiful Things,” about a struggling woman writer who takes an unpaid role as an advice columnist, debuts May 23. The play, by Cheryl Strayed, looks at a fictional writer trying to overcome problems big and small, attempting to resolve questions that have no immediate answers. The show will run through May 23. Tickets: $40 adults, $35 seniors and military, $22 youths 25 and younger. Call 988-6131 or visit manoavalleytheatre.com

At both theaters, social distancing procedures will be in place and face masks are required for admission.

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Just asking…

Just asking…

Harrison Ford, who is 78, will be doing yet another “Indiana Jones” sequel, for now dubbed “Indiana Jones 5.”

Sure, everyone loves his swashbuckling stature, but No. 5? Ain’t it time to call it quits?

The good news: George Lucas, of “Star Wars” fame, will be on board as executive producer.

The bad news: Steven Spielberg won’t be directing but will be retained as a producer; James Mangold will sit in the director’s chair.

The  Disney project is in pre-production phase, targeting a theatrical release in July 2022, coronavirus issues notwithstanding.
Ford turns 79 on July 13, was in his late 30s when he did the original “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (filmed in 1981), which begs the question: Can he still pull it off nearly 30 years later?

Of course, his name is box office gold. It’s franchise, like “Star Wars,” also is golden for the marquee. And yep, he looks grand ‘neath that fedora.

So, let’s see how this one plays out…

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Harmon to stay on ‘NCIS’ but no DiZonno for Hawaii

This just in: Mark Harmon, the star of CBS’ “NCIS,” has decided to sign for another season, which means his character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, will be back this fall for the procedural’s 19th season.

According to The Holllywood Reporter, Harmon’s decision to remain on the network’s most popular show extended the life of the series; he also serves as an executive producer.

If he didn’t agree to return as the centrifugal force of the No. 1 investigative show on prime time, the show would have been shuttered.

There were layered concerns – if Harmon exited, would the show continue and hope he might make limited recurring appearances? Though “NCIS” will extend its run one more year, Harmon has not expressed a desire to appear full time, since the coronavirus pandemic continues. Covid has cut the number of episodes during the 17th and 18th season, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The recent decision also does not mention a second year extended to  make it the 20th season. To date, TV’s longest-running show is  NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU,” which has been on air for 21 seasons and gunning for 22 his fall.

Harmon’s decision to keep the brand going also gives impetus to “NCIS: Hawaii,” which is primed to be on the fall agenda with execs from the soon-to-shut-down “NCIS: New Orleans,” ending its seventh year, serving as the new island team.

Meanwhile, “NCIS: Los Angeles” – in its 12th year, going on 13–also will continue, with possible crossover episodes with the Hawaii spinoff.

And CBS’ “Magnum P.I.” has been renewed for a fourth season, meaning Hawaii will again have two live action shows competing for actors and locations since the earlier termination of the “Hawaii Five-0” reboot.

But CBS’ “Bull,” starring Michael Weatherly, also has been granted a sixth season, thus putting to rest to the rumors and hope that  the actor might become part of the Hawaii “NCIS” as Tony DiNozzo.

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CATEGORY: JUST ASKING?

TIGHTY WHITES OR COLORED BOXERS AND BRIEFS?

Just asking:

Tighty whiteys or colored boxers or briefs?

Today’s query is for gents: Are you a tighty whitey wearer?

Over the years, basic white underwear were popular, at least among dads and grandpas.
Nowadays, it’s colored briefs or boxers.

What’s your take?

Tighty whitey. Colored briefs

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‘Brighter Days’ at Hawaii Theatre

‘BRIGHTER DAYS’ VIRTUAL PRODUCTION MARKS IABK’S FIFTH ANNIVERSARY

It’s the circle of life for the I’m a Bright Kid Foundation, which will mark its fifth anniversary beginning this weekend, with a virtual tribute presentation of “Brighter Days,” a retrospective special in the spirit of the earlier “Brighter Still,” from the Hawaii Theatre.

Thus, IABK returns to where its theatrical life began, continuing to preserve the legacy of the late Ron Bright, the veteran director-educator who inspired hundreds of youth to enjoy the magic of theater and scores who actually made it to Broadway.

“Days” will originate from the Hawaii Theatre stage and streamed live beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday (April 18 )to statewide audiences via the Hawaii Theatre and the IABK sites.

Familiar talent, from Bright shows over the last five years. will be featured, including Jade Stice (“Children of Eden” and “Songs For A New ,World”), Bailey Barnes (“The Wiz”), Jade and Michael Bright (“Children of Eden”), Kathleen Stuart (“The King and I”) and, Miguel Cadoy III (“Children of Eden” and “Songs For A New World”).

Other participating actors include Matthew Pederson, Drew Bright, Kaikou Kaimuloa, Austin Pangilinan, Chat Atkins, Michael Cabagbag, Kevin Pease, Alyse Glaser, Selah Fronda, Susan Hawes, and Vanessa Manuel Mazzullo.

Also, students from IABK’s Summer Musical Theatre Arts Education Program (“On Dragonfly Wings,” ”Once On This Island” and “Seussical KIDS will struth their stuff plus unnamed surprise guests will appear.

A suggested donation of $5 per person is suggested. However, other donation tiers are available: $100 for IABK legacy donations or $25 for ohana contributions. For details, go to the Hawaii Theatre events page the IABK website.

The show airs through June 18 through at the IABK YouTube channel. Details: Hawaii Theatre events page (www.hawaiitheatre.com) or on the IABK website (www.iabk.com).

In addition to the streaming, IABK has tapped two Oahu restaurants to provide comfort food dinner to accompany “Brighter Days.”

Café Kalawe (247-9527) in Kaneohe, 46-005 Kawa St., will serve “Mr. B’s Mixed Plate,” and the Honolulu Baking Company (596-2556) in Kakaako, 523 Ahui St., is preparing lasagna or vegetarian pot pie. Meals are $12, with ordering deadline extended to 2 p.m. Friday (April 16).

Further, to promote the “Brighter Days” show, IABK regulars will appear on Manoa Valley Theatre’s “MVT Live” program at 5 p.m. Friday (April 16) with host Devon Nekoba talking story with Miguel Cadoy III, Mary Chesnut Hicks, and Jade Stice. All appear in “Brighter Days.”

Go to www.manoavalleytheatre.com for the live link.

Cadoy is a music teacher at Farrington High School, where he is artistic director of the Farrington Performing Arts Center; Hicks is a veteran voice teacher, opera singer and Iolani School teacher; and Stice is a founding member of IABK and has global acting credits including the original “Miss Saigon” Broadway production.

PHOTO: Bailey Barnes in “The Wiz.”