Songstress buddies Shari Lynn and Mary Gutzi will co-star in a Christmas one-nighter Dec. 13 at The Actors Group (TAG).
The damsels, who normally deliver ditties from Broadway and The Great American Songbook, will focus on holiday melodies, with a probability of a jazz title or two thrown in as a holiday gift.
Shar Lynn
The performance is dubbed “It’s Delightful, It’s DeLovely, It’s December.”
Showtimes will be at 4 and 7 p.m., at the Brad Powell Theatre, so you can’t rightfully call this a one-nighter, since one show is a matinee, the finale is in the evening.
The notion of Shari and Mary doing something, someday, and some place together resulted in the forthcoming performances at TAG. Definitely, a debonair, dashing and dear deliverance.
Mary Gutzi
The reliable and responsible Jim Howard will provide the music on his keyboards.
A sell-out – or two sell-outs — is likely, though ticket sales have not yet begun. The Iwilei theater has 54 seats, so early reservations are suggested.
Tickets: $50; includes complimentary wine bar and snacks in the adjacent mall.
Information: TAG at (808) 722-6941…
‘Godot’ debuts at 3rd place
A revival of “Waiting for Godot,” co-starring Hawaii native Keanu Reeves and real-life friend Alex Winter, made its debut at third place in its first week at the Hudson Theatre on Broadway. “Clearly, celebrities mean great ticket sales. Not surprisingly, “Hamilton” held onto No. 1 for the week ending Sept. 21.
Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, in “Waiting for Godot.”
The Top 10:
1—”Hamilton,” $3.598 million
2—”Wicked,” $2.005 million
3—” Waiting for Godot,” $1.820 million
4—”The Lion King, $1.777 million
5—”Mamma Mia!,” $1.608 million
6–“Death Becomes Her,” $1.387 million
7—”Just In Time,” $1.331 million
8—” Oh, Mary!,” $1.3000 million
9—“MJ the Musical,” $1.282 million
10—“Maybe Happy Ending,” $1.228 million
The full list of Broadway grosses, courtesy the Broadway League:
Jerry Santos knew that Hawaii’s Nicole Scherzinger was a celebrity of note.
“Her performance and acceptance speech at (this year’s) Tony Awards really blew me away,” he said.
Imagine, then, when the star of London’s and Broadway’s “Sunset Boulevard,” showed up on a recent Tuesday evening, when Santos and his partner in music, Kamuela Kimokeo, were doing their gig at Disney’s Aulani resort.
“Apparently, some of her ‘ohana work at the Aulani, and they were having a family gathering to celebrate her being home,” said Santos.
Kamuela Kimokeo, Nicole Scherzinger and Jerry Santos at Disney’s Aulani resort.
“Getting to meet her was an honor,” he said of the former leader of the Pussycat Dolls, now a certified global celebrity. “I was truly touched by what a sweet, humble spirit she is.”
Scherzinger acquiesced to her family’s urging to sing a song. ‘I was just hoping we could play for her,” he said.
Then the surprises unfolded, one by one.
“What a lovely surprise to find that she knew who I was (surprise No. 1) and said she’d like to sing my song (“E Kuu Home O Kahalu‘u,” surprise No. 2). “To hear my words coming to me from that beautiful voice was such a gift (surprise No. 3). “I can understand why people love her” (surprise No. 4, but come on, why?)
Scherzinger knew the lyrics to Santos’ trademark Olomana hit, which made him a household name, and perhaps another surprise might’ve been how he could play the melody, but why not? Most fans can sing the song by heart, and clearly, she has been a fan from way back, possibly before she became a stellar stage trouper.
The fact, too, that she would sing his song, and not one of hers, was a certification of her generosity. After all, this was his gig, his turf, his own moment of celebrity.
What is astounding is that Santos and Kimokeo – who’ve been performing at the Disney resort since it opened in 2011 – deserve to play before local and visiting listeners beyond the Mickey Mouse venue. But Waikiki properties are not known for hiring and supporting talent, like the bygone era when every major hotel had a showroom, and most gave island acts time and space to perform in lounges and in bars. Not so today.
So folks like Santos augment their livelihood with one-nighters, like the recent Henry Kapono Foundation’s fundraising gala, and Molokai’s Kulaia event this Saturday, a street festival for Na Wahine O Ke Kai, plus an upcoming slack key festival Oct. 18 in Seattle.
“Just doing the fun stuff when they come,” he said of his show scheduling.
“I’m old; it’s more than enough,” Santos said. OK, he’s a senior citizen still possessing the gift of mele, and he should be in the limelight more regularly in venues frequented by locals. He had a secure Friday-Saturday gig at the Hilton Hawaiian Village for 25 years, but management changes put the skids on his casual kanikapila shows for locals and visitors…
Here, there, everywhere
Got to say hello, and renew ties, with retired Broadway conductor Bob Billig, at a performance of “Come From Away” at the Diamond Head Theatre. He has resettled in Hawaii again with husband Richard Vida, who is executive director Ballet Hawaii.
Bob Billig
Vida was in New York earlier this month and Billig – who conducted “Les Miserables” in early times on Broadway — was Mainland-bound, too, to oversee and supervise the music for the forthcoming Kander-Ebb musical,” “Chicago,” which will be at the Blaisdell Concert Hall Dec. 2 to 7.
I recall seeing Billig once when he was conducting “Chicago” on Broadway. The maestro and ork were positioned on stage rather than in the pit, for the revival that’s still running, and it’s been a great tactic since the evergreen became the new rage for singers, dancers and audiences alike.
Billig won’t be conducting “Chicago” here – the show is the finale in the Broadway in Hawaii series…
Trees trigger letter-writing
Poet Frances Kakugawa, formerly of Pahoa and Honolulu and now a Sacramento resident, is a prolific author and an occasional letter-to-the-editor writer.
“I’ve had three letters published,’ she said of her words, aligned in a poem, and recently printed in the New Your Times. Yes, thrice is nice.
Her submission dealt with a recent NYT feature story, by Dodai
Stewart (with photographs by Alex Kent),
about some of the magnificent, giant, angled, and aging specimens on New York’s fabled roster of trees.
Here’s her poem, accepted as a passionate response to the wonderful piece on the city’s greatest trees.
Robert Uluwehi Cazimero, veteran entertainer and award-winning kumu hula, will celebrate five decades of music and hula with an unprecedented two-part event, “My Hawaiian Souvenirs,” next month.
Cazimero, the unparalleled creator of Hawaiian mele, chants and ‘olelo via popular recordings and performances, will showcase the history of his incredible and indelible accomplishments over the past 50 years.
Robert Cazimero at the keyboard ; he’s marking his 50th anniversary.
He’ll share the limelight and journey with a treasure chest of familiar vocals and instrumentals with his award-winning hula institution, Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua.
Reflecting on his journey through song and dance, Cazimero said, ”I thank my parents (William Ka’aihue Cazimero, Sr. and Elizabeth Kapeka Meheula) for nurturing us, for my voice, and especially for giving us a great work ethic and appreciation of music.”
Maiki Aiu Lake
“As far as dance is concerned, I would be nothing without Maiki. That’s a given.” Maiki, of course, is his visionary kumu hula Maiki Aiu Lake, whose inspired teachings have made a lasting impact on his own stewardship of his own halau.
The two shows will be a recapitulation, laced with memories and reflection, and will tap several eras of Cazimero’s artistry, including the years when Robert was part of the duo The Brothers Cazimero with his late brother, Roland Cazimero, as an award-winning Na Hoku Hanahano Award-winning act, and as the kumu of Halau Na Kamalei, a two-time winner of the prestigious Merrie Monarch Festival.
Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, in a May Day concert at Bishop Museum.
The riches of songs and dances could not fit in a single show, so hence the two-fer format. The pair of concerts will be staged at what has emerged as Cazimero’s and Na Kamalei’s key venue, the Leeward Community Theatre at Leeward Community College in Pearl City.
The fund-raising concerts, with separate admissions, will be presented by the Wahea Foundation, one in the evening, the other in the afternoon:
Act 1 will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct.11.
Act 2 will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct.12.
“Putting the shows together for October? Tough!,” he said. “Lots of material to choose from, trying to make old things new and exciting again? Trippy! But talking story with people every day helps the creativity flow. Gotta love it.”
The Brothers Cazimero, with Robert and bro Roland.
Roland was an innovative musical gem, who learned how to command the upright bass and guitar, creating a splendid niche for his rock and folk destinations inspired by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Crosby, Stills & Nash; he taught his pianist-kumu hula brother how to perform on upright bass, an instrument Robert has shelved as a solo musician-singer since Roland’s passing.
Robert’s diversity has been evident in such mammoth spectacles as May Day at the Waikiki Shell and Bishop Museum, holiday concerts in the round at the Blaisdell Arena, a career-high gig at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and private parties at Mahi Beamer’s home in Malaekahana.
His hula milestones include the big wins in his first and final Merrie Monarch competitions, in 1976 and in 2025.
The contents of the October shows have not been revealed, but will embrace the Cazimero style of staging, incorporating drama, comedy and storytelling skills and usually with guest artists from the vast circle of Cazimero-Na Kamalei supporters.
Tickets are $100, available at www.waheafoundation.org
* *. *
Also, another round of “merry” shows is coming up in December, when Cazimero unwraps his annual holiday gift of Christmas serenades at Chef Chai’s.
Robert at Chef Chai’s: Christmas shows in December.
He’ll be at the piano as usual, at 6:30 p.m Dec. 16 to 20. The performance customarily runs for 60 to 90 minutes, but if the champagne glasses are filled, again and again, the show could be extended.
The usual dinner service from 5:30 p.m. will precede the shows. Space is limited, so reserve seats early. Price will be $125 per person.
“Let’s Hear It for the Girls,” featuring a bevy of female singers, is the theme of this year’s “Sunset Jazz,” slated on Sept. 14 at the Great Lawn of La Pietra, Hawaii School of Girls.
The stellar line up will feature Shari Lynn, event founder who is returning to the lineup of performers; the talent includes Ginai, Jeanette Trevias and Friends featuring Riya Davis, Sandy Tsukiyama and Arara de Vento, and Mary Gutzi.
Shari Lynn Acebedo
The prospects for a formidable evening, laced with a delectable menu of music, is guaranteed considering the mixed menu of jazz, favorites from the Great American Songbook, dance-friendly salsa, soulful and romantic ballads, and a cluster of Broadway melodies.
Doors open at 5 p.m. and music starts at 5:30 p.m., continuing well after the sun goes down.
Basic admission is $85 a person and includes a glass of wine and a dessert sampler. Food will be available for sale, but attendees may bring their picnic baskets and drinks.
Alternate options included table sponsorships and rolling admission tickets.
Details are available from Director of Enrollment Alaina Cunningham (808) 922-2744, ext. 106, or at admissions@lapietra.edu …
End of summer season causes drop in grosses
As schools reopened, signaling the end of the summer season, Broadway shows took a dip in the weekly gross meter. All the biggies took a glide, but at the of the week, “Hamilton” managed to move to No. 1 for the first time in weeks, one of only two shows in the coveted $2 million club. The other was “Wicked” at No. 2.
The Top 10:
1—”Hamilton,” $2.106 million,
2—”Wicked,” “$2.007 million,
3—”The Lion King,” $1.820 million,
4—”Mamma Mia!,” $1.785 million,
5—”Maybe Happy Ending,” $1.436 million,
6—”Death Becomes Her,” $1.331 million,
7—”Just in Time,” $1.276 million,
8—”MJ, the Musical,” $1.239 million,
9—”Oh, Mary!,” $1.174 million,
10—“Aladdin,” $1.160 million
The complete list of grosses, courtesy the Broadway League:
Like the dice in the Las Vegas casinos, comedian Frank DeLima is on a roll.
The island comic has relocated to a senior residence in Vegas, but that hasn’t stopped him from creating his popular musical parodies. His first from the gambling capitol was the recap of the tsunami alert, which caused intense traffic jams in the islands, which DeLima brilliantly summarized in “Gridlock” to the tune of “Under the Boardwalk.”
Frank DeLima
His second, out this week, is “Las Vegas Is the Place to Be,” in which he analyzes some elements of life in the Ninth Island with his keen humorous style. The melody is a long-forgotten gem, the theme to the TV show “Green Acres,” which starred Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor (yeah, long time ago, and possibly forgotten). His intent is to pick out some pleasures of LV.
Like: “No can get hungry, cuz get three Zippys.”
Or: lots of opportunities to win moolah, thanks to “jackpots Megabucks, Power Ball numbers.”
He’s not alone, he sings, because LV boasts 50,000 folks from Hawaii Nei.
The advice, however, is to hydrate—“drink plenty water.” With a daily check, 12 times a day, to avoid chapped lips.
Bruddah DeLima doesn’t admit, however, even while singing to his chosen melody, “Green Acres,” that ovah deya, get plenty sandy acres. No mo’ green acres.
