Show Biz Archives - Page 2 of 111

April 26, 2026April 26, 2026

‘Funny Girl’ at Diamond Head

“Funny Girl” — the acclaimed Broadway musical and hit film that made Barbra Streisand a superstar – opens May 22 at the Diamond Head Theatre, for a run through June 6.

Already, many playdates are sold out, so it’s prudent to secure tickets sooner than later, if you intend to go.

“Funny Girl” is the biographical musical about the feisty, determined wanna-be performer Fanny Brice, who is from New York’s Lower East Side, and her inspired journey to become a stage star as a headliner in the Ziegfeld Follies in the era when vaudeville was king.

It’s a tale of big dreams, challenging goals and immense hurdles, fueled by tuneful staples from the Bob Merrill and Jule Styne musical score, including such evergreens as “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People.” The show — with book and original story by Isobel Lennart –has become a star-maker; two years ago, Lea Michele famously resuscitated the Brice role on Broadway and turned a so-so interpretation into a magical blockbuster.

John Rampage, veteran artistic director of Diamond Head Theatre, is charged with directing and choreographing “Funny Girl.”

Becca Brake will portray the effervescent and Indefatigable Fanny Brice; Mark Sanders will enact Nick Arnstein, her financially unstable gambler-husband; Shari Lynn will be Mrs. Rosie Brice, Fanny’s mom not immediately convinced about Fanny’s quest; and Joe Martyak will play Florenz Ziegfeld Jr, who gives Fanny the nod to put her stamp on his famous Ziegfeld Follies show.

Others in the cast are David Weaver (Eddie Ryan), Brianna Johnson (Emma), Tracey Villiger (Mrs. Strakosh), Betty Bolton (Mrs. Meeker) Lee Nebe (Tom Keeney), Jody Bill (Keeney Girl, Showgirl, Fanny Brice understudy), Landon Ballesteros (John the Stage Manager), Mary Rydell (Mrs. O’Malley), Federico Biven (Heckie), Brandon Yim (Workman), Presley Wheeler (Workman, Ziegfeld Production Tenor), Christina Sutrov (Keeney Girl, Showgirl), Anastasia Chrysler (Keeney Girl, Showgirl), Alexandra Langley (Keeney Girl/Showgirl), Salote Vaha’i (Mimsey, Showgirl), Timmy “Tino” Nozaki (Paul), Bob Calvert (Mr. Renaldi), James Lauer (Coronet Man, Jody) and Suzanne Green (understudy for Mrs. Brice, Mrs. Strakosh, Mrs. Meeker, and Mrs. O’Malley)..

Ensemble members are Casey Kekoa Lauti, Jaiyu-Li, Brittany Lewis, Ani O’Hanlon, Emily Lane, and Teagan Staskawicz.

Performance days are at 7 p.m. Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. DHT’s website may not list certain sellout dates. Tickets range in price from $43 to $70, available at www.diamondheadtheatre.com and (808) 733-0274…

And that’s Show Biz…

April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

Honorary UH doctorate for Cazimero

Robert Cazimero, the esteemed kumu hula and Hawaiian music industry icon, has been tapped to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Hawaii.

Cazimero, who earned his hula stripes as a student of Maiki Aiu Lake, earned the seal of approval from the UH Board of Regents, at its April 16 meeting at Leeward Community College.

Thus, his fame and presence will shine anew in the realm of academia.

“I’m so honored,” he said this morning. “It was such so unexpected.”

“I never really thought about this before, and to have it happen in such a truly beautiful, humbling—and even overwhelming—way, I’m grateful,” said Cazimero in an earlier statement. “I’m really happy to be here.”

The honorary doctorate recognizes individuals of national or international distinction whose contributions have had a significant impact in areas such as business, public service or scholarship.

The degree will be formally conferred during Leeward Community College’s fall convocation.

It was Leeward Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza, who requested the laurel for Cazimero, who has staged his famed Hawaiian concerts with his halau, Hālau Nā Kamalei O Līlīlehua, in showcase performances at Leeward Theatre, bringing his signature shows to a new zip code. Over the decades, legions of adoring fans flocked to “town” venues in Waikiki hotels and in special showcases at Bishop Museum, Blaisdell Arena and the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell. Cazimero established Leeward as a Hawaiian music anchor via an enduring partnership in cultural learning and mentorship, helping to deepen students’ experiences with ʻike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian knowledge).

Throughout his career, Cazimero has been a steadfast partner to UH, supporting its mission to nurture knowledge, improve cultural identity and inspire future generations. Across UH’s 10 campuses, he has shared his time and expertise through guest lectures, workshops, performances and mentorship rooted in a deep sense of kuleana (responsibility).

“His engagement with our campus community has provided students, faculty and staff with meaningful opportunities to learn directly from a master practitioner whose work bridges ancestral knowledge and contemporary expression,” said Keala Chock, a former student and Leeward CC vice chancellor for academic affairs, in a statement.

During the meeting, Regent Neil Abercrombie — Hawaii’s seventh governor — shared an emotional memory of seeing Cazimero perform for the first time at UH Mānoa’s Andrews Amphitheatre in the 1970s; at that time, Robert was staging Hawaiian music with brother Roland Cazimero. “We go back many years,” Cazimero said of his longstanding ties with Abercombie…

Waimanalo Kanikapila set on Saturday

The Annual Waimanalo Kanikapila and Limu Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (April 25) at Waimanalo Beach Park.

The musical celebration owes its roots to the backyard kanikapila of Gabby Pahinui, and his residency in ‘Nalo Country.

The daylong event will feature a host of emcees and a small army of performers, including Henry Kapono, Jerry Santos, Alan Akaka, George Kuo, Greg Sardihja, Kawiki Kahiapo, Kamuela Kimokeo, Eric Keawe, Mike Kaawa, and Kata Maduli, among many others..

Limu Hui Waimānalo — a community organization working to restore Hawaiʻi’s native limu and coastal ecosystems – is partnering in the mele celebration.

Admission is free.

Earth, Wind & Fire and documentary

Prior to their June 13 concert at Blaisdell Arena, Earth, Wind & Fire will open the 25th anniversary Tribeca Festival with a new documentary, premiering June 3 at the Beacon Theatre in New York.

The film was directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson; the HBO Original Film has a hefty title, “Earth, Wind & Fire: To be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World,” and will debut on HBO and HBO Max.

The event also will feature a concert by Earth, Wind & Fire and The Roots…

New York still wild about ‘Harry’

The Harry Potter “Curse” is hard to beat; the family drama’s wizardry has landed the show atop the Broadway charts again, and to reflect its power of the box office, it’s the lone member of the “2 Million Club.” Again.

The Top 10:

“Hamilton” ranks No. 2, followed by “The Lion King.”

1—”Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $2.376 million

2—“Hamilton,” $1.944 mi41llion

3—“The Lion King,” $1.869 million

4—“Moulin Rouge, $1.663 milion

5—“Every Brilliant Thing” $1.566 million

6—“Wicked,” $1.348 million

7—“Death of a Salesman,” $1.277 million

8—“Ragtime,” $1.152 million

10—“Dog Day Afternoon,” $1.114 million

The full list for the week ending April 19 follows, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…

March 31, 2026March 31, 2026

Earth, Wind & Fire sets June gig

Earth, Wind & Fire, the legendary pop, soul, blues and rock band, will return to Hawaii for a concert at 8 p.m. June 13 at the Blaisdell Arena.

Because Hawaii residents are still struggling in the aftermath of the recent Kona low rains that flooded numerous sectors across the state, “Rick Bartalini Presents,” the concert’s presenter, is generously donating a portion of the proceeds to the relief efforts for the storm that left many citizens homeless.

**Earth, Wind & Fire: Coming for a concert June 13**

Hawaii residents will get first dibs for tickets, which go on sale online at 10 a.m. Friday (April 3) at www.tickertmaster.com and continue till 9 a.m. April 10. Prices have not yet been announced and there is an eight-ticket limit to buy early. Mainland sales will begin at 10 a.m. April 10. The Blaisdell box office opens at 10 a.m. April 10.

The group has a special history with Hawaii, where it has staged numerous concerts dating back to 1975. One of the memorable performances has been inside Diamond Head Crater. Over the decades, the band has performed in numerous concerts at Blaisdell, the last time on Dec.10, 2022, when its sold-out tally was 7,200 fans.

Earth, Wind & Fire has been a prolific group, with numerous chartbusters including “September,” “Reasons” and “Let’s Groove.”

Hula laurels for Robert

Following his two concerts at Paliku Theatre, singer-kumu hula Robert Cazimero flew to Okinawa to stage a show for a teacher he met many years ago. It was a quickie in-and-out event, and he was off to Tokyo for a belated birthday party “because we couldn’t celebrate last year”…

And Cazimero must be doing something right. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs honored him for his lifetime service and enduring legacy, citing his devotion and support for sharing hula and mele on the global stage. “His work has elevated hula and grounded us in place, memory and identity,” the office said in a resolution…

Shows around town…

Multi-talented singer Sandy Tsukiyama will be featured in “Brasileiro: The Music of Sergio Mendes,” in two shows hosted by DeShannon Higa, at 5 and 8 p.m. April 18 at Kapono’s at The Lounge in Hawaii Kai. The mood will be Brazilian soul, with its infectious rhythms and grooves incorporating jazz and pop. Tickets: http:kaponosatthelounge.com/…

You can spend Easter Sunday on the waterfront, when the trio Maunalua, led by Bobby Moderow Jr., presents two shows at Kapono’s at the Lounge at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday April 5. The group is known for its traditional Hawaiian music with rich vocal harmonies and cherished slack key guitar vibes. It should be told that Maunalua owes its name to the bay in East Oahu fronting the club and other merchants and residents in Hawaii Kai and the Portlock area…

Gail Mack, Lance Luke, Keith Hiraoka and Bobby Nishida will concertize in an Easter concert from 5 to 8 p.m. Easter Sunday (April 5) at Mango Street Grill in Wahiawa. For reservations, call Daryl at (808) 627-5451. And if you so desire, pre-order a prime rib meal at the same time…

And that’s Show Biz…

March 26, 2026March 26, 2026

LUMINOUS OUTING FOR CAZIMERO, HALAU

Robert Cazimero’s “A Ko‘olau Au,” his two-show spectacle Sunday (March 22) at Paliku Theatre at the Windward Community College, was a luminous, ambitious endeavor saluting the Ko‘olaus and the Windward side.

On a rainy, wet day, this was a sunny diversion, jam-packed with Hawaiian artistry and mele.

**Robert Cazimero, at the keyboard, in Paliku Theatre show.**

Cazimero, kumu hula of hālau Nā Kamalei O Lililehua, assembled his dancing and singing gents performing hula kahiko and ‘auana. The afternoon resembled his pair of shows last October at the Leeward Community College Theatre, when Cazimero performed a matinee and evening concerts in a fund-raiser that celebrated the hula hālau’s victory in last year’s Merrie Monarch Festival.

Because I didn’t request a playlist of performance numbers at Paliku, this reflection won’t provide specific titles of oli or mele in the impressive and innovative program with a cache of superb guest artists.

The m.o. (modus operandi) seemed to be, if kumu asks, you come without hesitation. How else could he assemble such first-class guests with repertoire to share?

Then again, Cazimero’s degree of excellence is well known and his peers share that kind of allure, so they participate as honorable guests. Take the four guest kumu hula: Vicky Holt Takamine of Hālau Pua Ali‘i (aka Pa‘i Foundation), Mapuna di Silva of Hālau Mohala ‘Ilima, Kuana Torres Kahele of Hālau Māluakiʻiwailehua (and allied with four other groups), and Michael Lanakila Casupang of Mid Pacific Institute’s student hālau Pupukahi I Ke Alo Na Pua.

**Mid-Pacific Institute dancers, in modern hula momen**t.,

Casupang’s MPI dancers are unique, comprised of students in grades 9 through 12, and rendering a stunning style, combining kahiko with modern style often with balletic moves.

The show’s most popular guest had to be Jerry Santos of Olomana, performing with his usual ally, Kamuela Kimokeo. And the most popular tune clearly had to be Santos’s “E Kuu Home O Kahalu‘u,” with its taunting, prolong slack key guitar intro. The twosome also shared another Olomana classic, “E Kuu Sweet Lei Po‘ina Ole” with finesse. Note to Uncle Jerry, who’s been donning a papale in shows: Better to take off, bro, ‘cuz cannot see your face ‘neath the shadow.

As a hana hou or sorts, veteran hula soloist Kanoe Kaumeheiwa Miller – who performed in Cazimero’s October Leeward shows – returned for a quick dance. And this factoid will follow her through life: she is the only wahine who is officially one of the “boys” of Nā Kamalei, because of a long-time friendship with kumu. Besides, she’s great – she used to be the solo hula artist at the Halekulani Hotel, after all.

And the Royal Hawaiian Dancers, hula soloists back in the day when the Brothers Cazimero made appearances at the hotel, so they’re part of the Cazimero history, and Sky Perkins Gora still hulas regularly with RC at his Chef Chai’s performances. And if you’re a Chai’s patron, you’d recognize Keola “Bully” Makaiau, too, in all the ensemble numbers. And if you’ve noticed, a few new, young lads are in the Nā Kamalei line-up and the elder dancer participation are fewer and fewer in these rigorous outings.

Nā Kamalei troupers continue to impress, with stunning group hula, and always clad in terrific costumes, from aloha shirts to malos. For a kahiko dance, the gents had unique all-black shirts and pants, with black (or very dark brown) kukui nut lei. And some of the guys also performed on ipu, which they mastered while studying hula. Kudos for the fashion show, gents.

The house band was Bob’s Boys, hand-picked musician allies of Cazimero, featuring his Kamehameha Schools best-buddy, Kaipo Hale, plus Richard and Keola. Sorry guys, I still don’t know your last names. But all provide solid support and it’s likely you’re gonna be Cazimero’s regular band.

The Wāhea Foundation sponsored these shows, as they did for the Leeward outings…

And that’s Show Biz…

March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

ROBERT: BIRTHDAY, WALLET, SELL-0UT

Robert Cazimero, the accomplished do-all island entertainer, turns 77 today (March 20). Happy da kine.

He celebrated his birthday last night (March 19), in one of his usual gigs at Chef Chai’s. But he’s been celebrating throughout the month of March, which is the timetable he advocates.

It’s been a banner month for him, and he works (hard) for his money, like the Donna Summer mantra song from yesteryear Consider:

He’s been rehearsing like crazy, for a two-show gig at 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday (March 22) at Paliku Theatre at Windward Community Theatre. It’s a fund-raiser for his Na Kamalei O Lililehua hula halau. The first show is sold out, and the finale likely will follow suit.
He’s had a bit of a setback last week, followed by a good luck streak last week. He dined at the Kam Bowl Restaurant in Kalihi, and his wallet – with driver’s license, credit cards, and cash – slipped out of his rain jacket and unknowingly fell under a table. He discovered the loss only when he was at a Safeway, unable to pay for his purchase, so headed home, when he noticed his phone was a-buzz with messages. His friends saw a Facebook post by the restaurant, and they were trying to alert him. He ultimately secured his belongings, with contents intact, but he was a bit concerned that his driver’s license was exposed on Facebook. However, he was able to retrieve all his stuff, without the need to replace all the valuable cards in his wallet. Honesty was on his side, for which he was thankful. Perhaps his birthday angel was monitoring his fate.

**Kuana Torres Kahalem , on electric bass.**

His birthday show at Chai’s was afloat, so to speak, thanks to the continuous flow of “water,” in actuality his favorite champagne. The performance ran nearly two hours, underscored by the vast support of entertainment pals and hula colleagues. Kuana Torres Kahale, his Hawaiiana buddy, flew in from Hilo, to join Cazimero in concert, playing electric bass, singing harmony and frequently lead, in a stunning demonstration of developing brotherhood, in a sense replacing the void and loss of bro Roland Cazimero.

**Kumu Vicky Holt Takamine, doing a hula.**

Hula dancers Sky Perkins Gora and Keola “Buddy” Makaiau did perhaps two solo dances, because of the volley of peer stylists tapped to share periodic hula in the aisles. These included impressive halau dancers, male and female, including legendary kumu Vicky Holt Takamine who rendered several lead dances. Singer Marlene Sai was a notable spectator. The bottom line: there was much love and loyalty and artistry in the ranks…

Manoa Valley’s ‘Spring Awakening’ opens

Mānoa Valley Theatre “Spring Awakening” opened last night (March 19) for a run through April 5.^.

The gritty rock musical, set in late 19th century Germany, explores the turbulent journey of adolescent sexuality and self-discovery. The adult themes suggest this is not for young audiences,

A group of teenagers navigate their inherent desires amid strict social pressures and a lack of adult guidance, resulting in powerful, often dark, coming-of-age themes. Mature subject matter prevails, including depictions of suicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, abortion, and sexuality.

A contemporary rock score features music by Duncan Sheik, and the show is based on the play by Frank Wedekind, with book and lyrics by Steven Sater.

The MVT cast features isaiah Gunderman Graham (Melchior), Amy K. Sullivan (Adult Woman), Mathias Maas (Adult Man), Ainsley Shearer (Wendla), Nikki Bagaw (Martha), Marie Chiyo Staples (Thea), Gina Miyazaki (Anna), Myla Pellegrini (Ilse), Casey Lauti (Ernst), Maya Joyce (Georg,) Chad Navarro (Otto/Rupert) Andrew Cheng (ensemble/Bobby/Reinhold), Kevin Molina (ensemble/Ulbrecht), Victoria Chang (ensemble/Marianna), Juliette Moody (ensemble/Frieda), and Cayden Park (ensemble/Liesel). I

The production team includes Lurana Donnels O’Malley (director),Jenny Shiroma (music director), Jonathan Clarke Sypert (choregrapher/inimacy coordinator), Stacey Pulmano (assistant director), Erich Sableinwandt-Gudoy ( stage manager), Aly Sutton (assistant stage manager), Teia O’Malley (set designer), Willie Sabel (technical director/scenic artist), Janine Myers (lighting designer/master electrician), Tim Manamtam and Sarah Velasco (sound designers), Ka‘iukapu Baker (costume designer), Lisa Ponce de Leon (hair and makeup designer)r (Kelley Belle (props designer), Rehearsal Assistant – Denise-Aiko Chinen (rehearsal assistant), and– Amber Lehua Baker (costume shop supervisor).

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, at 3 p.m. Sundays, with a special 3 p.m. matinee on March 28.

Tickets are $25 to $47, available via phone at (808) 988-6131, or online at manoavalleytheatre.com.

And that’s Show Biz…