Category: Dance

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‘HI’IAKA’ LOOMS BIG; TRYOUTS SET

The legendary tale of Hi‘iaka, historically part of the Hawaiian oral tradition and notably passed on from generation to generation through song and dance, has been honed and developed as an eventual spectacle on Broadway. It’s been on the burner since 2019, and final auditions are ahead to cast the production.

The spectacle is due to debut on Broadway this October, with details still forthcoming.

 The Hawaiian story has all the epic elements of high drama, based on the goddess Hi‘iaka – full name, Hi‘iakaikapoliopele – whose quest is to find her sister Pele’s dream lover, restore him to life, and deliver him safely to Pele, the volcano goddess at her crater home on the Big Island. With Pele among the characters, there should be some explosive eruptions of sorts.

Of course, it is not a simple journey filled with ordeals and dangers, but one very much alive with a  very human retelling of love and lust, with challenges of jealousy and justice,  with deities and chiefs, commoners and demons, and  a potential fall out of the two sisters.

Michael Jackowitz

Essentially, the story is about two goddesses, who happen to be sisters, and thus boasts grandeur as well as grace. It is storytelling with cultural impact, with collaborative input by the legendary stage and film visionary Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Godspell,” “Pippin,” “Children of Eden,” “The Prince of Egypt”), Broadway guidance by stage producer Michael Jackowitz {“How To Succeed in Business Without ReallyTrying,” “tick, tick, Booml”) and stalwart Hawaiians Roslyn Catracchio (music and lyrics) and Patrick Makuakane (choregraphy, music and lyrics). Keali’i Reichel (multi Na Hoku Hanahano Award winner, recording artist and kumu hula) was an advisor in preliminary development of the show, along with Schwartz).

The production, earlier utilzing the title “Hi’iaka,” now boasts a formal new name, “The Epic Tale of Hi‘iaka: A New Hawaiian Musical.” The operative word is “Hawaiian.” The story will be told – with a roster of vivid and atmospheric Hawaiian songs, dances, and chants – and performed by a cast of Hawaiian artists on both sides of the limelight.

Roslyn Catracchia

Once cast. “Hi’iaka” will loom as a mammoth cultural spectacle with pulsating and harmonizing vocals rendered in traditional Hawaiian, with choreography and costuming unlike anything ever seen and heard on the Great White Way.

Applicants should designate voice range and roles sought; audition documents and head shots must be submitted by Feb. 15, with call backs to follow. Email applications to  castinghiiaka@gmail.com

The creative team boasts remarkable star-studded notables:

  • Book, Music and Lyrics: Roslyn Catracchia and Patrick Makuakane.
  • Original Story: Ho’oulumahiehie.
  • Hawaiian Consultant: Puakea Nogelmeier.
  • Stage Director: Scott Schwartz.
  • Choreographer: Patrick Makuakane.
Patrick Makuakane
  • Scenic Designer: Kevin Depinet.
  • Costume Designer: Manaola.
  • Music Supervisor: Brad Haak.
  • Orchestrations and Instrumental Track Production:  David Kauahikaua.
  • Hawaiian Music Advisor: Shawn Pimental.
  • Musical Arrangements:  David Kauahikaua and Brad Haak.
  • Producers: Michael Jackowitz for WitzEnd Productions and Kuhio Lewis for Hawaiian Council.
  • Associate Director: Melanie Lockyer.
  • Associate Choreographer: Christine Yasunaga.
  • Costume Coordinator: Maile Speetjens.
  • Preliminary Artwork: Solomon Enos.
  • Keyart by Mance Creative for Rubicon Theatre Company.
  • State of Hawaii Tourism/Creative Industries Division Consultant: Georja Skinner.
  • Marketing:  NMG Networks.
  • PR Consultant: Adrian Kamali‘i.
  • Casting Director: Aubrey Lee Staley
  • Advisors During Development: Keali’i Reichel and Stephen Schwartz.

Footnotes:

Prolific author: Ho‘oulumāhiehie, credited as original story writer, was a prolific Hawaiian (The Epic Tale of Hi‘iakaikapoliopele), which ran in the newspaper Ka Na‘i Aupuni in 1905–1906. His 500-page narrative is renowned for containing 375 chants, and vivid portrayal of the goddess Pele and the scholar and author was best known for chronicling the epic saga Ka Mo‘olelo o Hi‘iakaikapoliopeler, sister Hi‘iaka.

Stephen Schwartz

Father and Son: Stephen Schwartz (“Wiz” icreaator) is the father of Scott Schwartz. 

Principal roles:

  • Hi’iaka, the youngest of the sisters and the favorite of Pele.
  • Pele, the volcano goddess.
  • Lohiau, chief of Kauai and Pele’s lover.Hopoe, Hi ‘iaka’s best friend.
  • Wahine: Hi ‘ika’s most trusted ally and traveling companion.
  • Kane: God of procreation…

‘Chicago’ returns to Broadway’s Top 10

“Chicago,” one of the longest-running Broadway hits, surged its way to No. 7 this week – a remarkable return to the charts.

“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” continues to be Broadway’s top-grossing play, earning $2.339 million for the week ending Feb. 8.

 “Chicago” landied at No 7.

The Top 10:

1—”Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $2.339 million

2—”Hamilton,” $1.848 million

3—”Wicked,” $1.596 million

4—”The Lion King,” $1.514 million

5—”Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” $1.400 million

6—”Chess,” $1.379 million

7—”Chicago,” $1.316 million

8—”Just in Time,” $1.314 million

9—”Oedipus,” $1.212 million

10—“Ragtime,” $1.090 million

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway Guild:

And that’s Show Biz…

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POSSIBLE 10-YEAR RUN FOR ‘CIRQUE’

I revisited “‘Auana,”  the Cirque du Soleil spectacle, the other night at the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber resort.

The show, launched last December,  has just passed its six-month residency, with its stunning 80-minute spectacle in the heart of the Waikiki mainstream. I said in a December review that Cirque is the future of Waikiki attractions. Highly visible, a non-stop showcase of faith in Hawaiiana, loaded with artistry and creativity. And huge.

Business has been brisk, with two performances at 5:30 and 8 p.m., Wednesdays  through Sundays.

The good news:  “‘Auana”  — Hawaiian for wandering, drifting thoughts – has an agreement with the Outrigger for a run of 10 years, a keen investment by the hotel with the team from Montreal, Canada, known for its prolific planting of performance companies in a wide range of destinations over the decades.

Honolulu is the creator’s newest production, with pure Hawaii story lines, with narrations and songs and dancers, delivered in native Hawaiian language. Though the title of the show might suggest wandering, it’s quite certain “‘Auana” will stay put here. It is the essence of the ‘olele  spirit (language, speech, texture) of original island songs and dances. And the Hawaii influences flow beautiful in the lively choreography embellished by the eye-filling island costumes

Cirque’s next launch will be Germanic, in Berlin, in November 2025.

Instead of another review of the Waikiki  show, let me share highlights via a recapitulation of images of the major segments that have resonated with an audience comprised  largely of spectators who don’t speak or understand Hawaiian. Not to fret …this is a wholly visual endeavor, and a satisfying cultural entity. Let us count the ways.

1 – A journey via canoe sets the story in motion…

2—A surfer dude defies gravity and “surfs” on cylinders…

3 – A segment on the naupaka flower depicts the bloom’s unique  idiosyncrasy: only half-a-flower emerges from the buds.

4—Let’s call this the balloon boy, whose feat is a wonderment.

5—If there’s an acrobat, and an oversized cocktail glass filled with water, she’ll share her balletic poses.

6—A salute to “Hawaii Five-O” features a tourist ork (from the audience), for comic relief. More fun than gents learning to hula.

7—The Hawaiian sand painter creates images with, yes, sand and hand…shared on the show’s huge screen…

8—And voila, her art sashays into a mystifying, colorful rainbow…backed by a sweet vocal by a gent of “Over the Rainbow,” delivered in – what else? – Hawaiian.

9—Hawaii welcomes visitors, so why not include a cache of postcards?

10 – And Hawaii means beach boys, too, so they get their moments of fame.

11—When it’s time to bid adieu, the word to know is “aloha” (again, on a postcard).

12 – Two daredevils walk, jump rope, and risks their lives in this rotating

behemoth, often featured in a traditional circus…

13—And this being Cirque du Soleil, the finale means a burst of color, too…

14 – And this is us when the bright lights go off – me, grandnephew John Rhoades, and my wife Violet…

And that’s Show Biz…

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Cirque du Soleil’s “‘Auana”

When:  5:30 and 8 p.m.,  Wednesdays through Sundays

Where: Cirque showroom, second floor, Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel

Tickets: From $86; visit https://www.tickets-center.com

Discounts available for kamaaina and military

Information: (877) 773-6470

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AFTER-PARTY FLAVOR AT LEI DAY

Billed as the Hawaiian Airlines May Day Concert, last night’s Lei Day extravaganza at Bishop Museum was sort of an after-party for core performers at the recent Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.

Indeed, Robert Cazimero and his hui of kane dancers in his Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua  swept the ‘auana and kahiko categories in the prestigious hula competition last weekend. A few numbers were repackaged for the Lei Day audience to examine and experience HNKOL’s signature choreography.

Robert Cazimero, at his white grand piano, festooned with yellow plumeria.

Clearly, some of the memorable Merrie moments still were swirling in the audience and it was Zachary Lum, Keauhou member, who wisely opined that Lei Day felt more like an “after -party” following Na Kamalei’s victories in Hilo.

Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, doing hula kahiko at Lei Day “after party.”

For kumu hula Cazimero, this year marks the 50th anniversary of his leadership in training hula gents, and nostalgia was part of an unstated ingredient of Lei Day. Thus, appreciation and gratitude of his own kumu way back in the day — Maiki Aiu Lake—  still resonated, even if he has potential  to become his generation’s Maiki in theory and in practice.

Cazimero, on pahu.

At 76, Cazimero’s leadership and integrity have shaped his mission in life –  he lives and breathes hula to the max, teaching men to tell stories of life through song and dance—for more than half his life. Na Kamalei always has been a rarity, boasting men who not only dance, but sing mele and chants in Hawaiian.

But a new breeze of teamwork has been evolving in recent years.

Keauhou, the trio comprising brothers Zachary Alaka‘i Lum, his brother Nicholas Keali‘i Lum, and their Kamehameha Schools classmate Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio, have   become Cazimero’s “house band,” providing splendid vocals and instrumentals. In select instances, the Lum bros dance, too – they are Na Kamalei regulars and versatility is in their DNA. Keauhou’s excellence in traditional Hawaiian mele is admirable. And Zach’s leadership and performance traits could make him a kumu over the coming years.

Zach Lum and Nick Lum: Keauhou members who also do hula.
Kuana Torres Kahele

The death of Roland Cazimero, Robert’s inventive brother whose guitar skills and harmonics were key to the duo’s sound, left a void for several years. But for several months now, Kuana Torres Kahele  — himself a prolific trouper, who sings, composes songs, and plays ukulele and guitar, and fashions lei in-between — has enriched  the Caz sound. Kahele, a guest artist,  soared in his segment with Keauhou, rendering  beautiful mele like “Ke Anu O Waimea” and “’Ohu ‘ohu O ‘ahu,” two place songs, plus “E Ku‘u Lei,” with Cazimero joining in to fortify and punctuate the duet format.

Kaipo Hale

For special events like Lei Day, Cazimero tapped his  lifetime best-buddy Kaipo Hale,   to continue to join the Caz brand, as he previously has done. He brings the riches of a robust baritone voice and composing vibrancy to the party. Hale shared “Pauoa Hula,”  about his home community; his “Pua Melia ‘Ala Onaona” brought the Royal Dance Company  to the limelight; and his “Huapala Maka Onaona” featured Na  Kamalei. Natch, Keauhou, Cazimero and  Kahele provided support.

Alin “Gunny” Hanzawa

Two halau gents had solo dance moments.  Alvin “Gunny” Hanzawa, no longer a regular but still savvy of the skills he learned, flew in from California to participate,  a rare Japanese hula dancer. And veteran Keola “Bully” Makaiau, clad in the silver-grey  hinahina, had a solo moment with power and grace, unlike his often comedic participation in the monthly Full Moon concert gig with his kumu at Chef Chai’s.

Keola “Bully” MakaiU

Other guest dancers were Kina and Kalani, so there was no shortage of kane hula, and four veteran kumu including Vicky Holt Takamine, showed the audience how the old-timers swished and sashayed with traditional decorum to share their artistry.

On a tune entitled “Ka Lehua I Milia,” Cazimero reached upper-register notes to provide his, and the evening’s, most melodic and trusty tones, belting lyrics while at his grand piano.  It was the peak — the high point — of the evening’s cadence between ‘auana and kahiko gymnastics.

The finale, “Lei Puakenikeni,” tapped everyone in the cast, combining singers and dancers and musicians in uniformed bonding, like threading puakenikeni blossoms to create an immense, fragrant lei.

And that’s Show Biz…

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VIDA NEW BALLET HAWAII LEADER

Richard Vida, a veteran Broadway luminary, has been named as the new executive director of Ballet Hawaii.

A frequent visitor to Hawaii who has lived on Oahu briefly, Vida previously taught tap dance and musical theater at Ballet Hawaii.

“We have known Richard for many years and could not be luckier that he agreed to join our team,” said Susie Schull of Ballet Hawaii. “His background on Broadway and the performing arts is vast and covers every type of dance.”

Vida and his husband Bob Billig have called New York City their home where both have been active for decades (Billig is a musical conductor), and they have traveled extensively and had relocated to Connecticut. 

Vida, pictured, has had a diverse career,  not just as an actor, singer and dancer in theater, on TV and in films, and boasts credentials a guest artist, teacher, producer, and director…

Show breezes

Several popular island performers will be on the Hawaii Theatre stage in the weeks ahead.

The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra’s Hapa Symphony series will feature these acts:

  • Singer Paula Fuga, pictured, appears at 7:30 p.m. March 9.
  • Singer Robert Cazimero performs at 7:30 pm. April 20.
  • Ukulele artist  Jake Shimabukuro performs at 7:30 pm. May 18.

Tickets are priced from $10:50 to $99, at hawaiitheatre.com or (808) 528-0506…

Michael Weatherly (DiNozzo) and Mark Harmon (Leroy Jethro Gibbs) on “NCIS.”

Will DiNozzo and ‘NCIS’ regulars return?

The internet is a-buzz with a possible return of Michael Weatherly, the beloved  Tony DiNozzo from the original “NCIS” universe, which made him a star and producing director-producer Mark Harmon a legend as Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

Ten years since Weatherly departed the CBS procedural, he’s ready to return to the franchise for his last hurrah. Performers including Harmon likely will also return to the show (he’s been off the show for a couple of seasons) and possibly Ziva, played by Cote de Paulo, who exited the same time Weatherly did, could return.

Weatherly may have been the one to trigger the rumors, after he posted on X/Twitter his notion to reprise DiNozzo.

“There will be more DiNozzo someday because he is the one character that felt unfinished,” he said on X.

The NCIS franchise continues to expand via a Leroy Jethro Gibbs prequel series, which will feature familiar faces and potentially a few more.

“NCIS” is in the midst of its 21st season now. So it makes sense that the alums return to the show now.

First, Weatherly’s DiNozzo had unbeatable chemistry with Gibbs, and was the favorite of the NCIS leader, to target DiNozzo, with a slap on the head.

Second, Weatherly also had sizzle with agent Ziva and their relationship was hugely popular with viewers.

Third, now is the time for NCIS characters from the past, returning to pay homage and respect to David McCallum, who played Donald “Ducky” Mallard. who died last September. He played the chief medical examiner and the current series plans a tribute to Ducky, and it’s a smart way – and a ratings boost – that past colleagues return to say goodbye.

Surely, even Abby Sciuto, the forensic scientist  enacted by Pauley Perrette, would be a likely returnee, too.

CBS has remained mum about the return of any ex-cast members– for the goodbye to Ducky or for a cameo in the last season for the franchise’s mother ship original. The time is right for that elusive reunion…

And that’s Show Biz…