Category: Show Biz

There’s a bit of a stir, underwater, at “Honu by the Sea.”

That’s the Johnson Enos-produced environmental, family-fantasy  musical,  that has been produced and performed locally, nationally, and internationally since its 2012 debut.

The ongoing pandemic, when the new normal since 2019  meant shutdowns and stalls, has enabled creator Enos to tweak and expand his undersea clientele via a Honu Mele Series that introduce new tunes and new characters in his underwater world.

Just out: a two-tune single that continues to promote the urgency of respecting the ocean environment where oodles of sea creatures call home.

So the new mele marks the debut of Nalu, and a fresh wave of creativity for the often misunderstood tiger shark, whose animated cartoon identity is displayed on the CD, complete with Polynesian tattoo-type etchings adopted in the culture here: the dorsal fin, again with the trademark tattoo art, is inspired by the sail of a traditional voyaging canoe.

Nalu’s tune, performed by John Cruz, explores the frustration of the shark, moaning that “critters are afraid of me … I’m just misunderstood.”  Nalu admits “I like to glide in the ocean, I like to ride a wave or two, my dorsal fin looks scary, and that’s just what I do.”

And that’s why, he laments, “why can’t a guy like me have a best friend?”

 The family show’s cast also includes The Three ‘Opihi, Jan, Ken and Pon, whose mele is entitled “Common Sense,” with vocals by Enos, Aaron Sala and Ikaika Blackburn.

The catchy tune is a smart way for kids to learn means and manners about the growing problem of ocean trash that can stifle life undersea.

So as easy as one, two and three, the three ‘opihi’s tune advocates picking up trash, plastic bags, and bottle caps, and “pick it up and put it away,” where trash belongs. “That’s common sense,” the ‘opihi sing, three times, of course.

The recording sessions tapped a host of notable musicians: Benny Chong (ukulele), Jeff Peterson (uke), Ian O’Sullivan (uke), Dean Taba (bass), Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), Jeff Au Hoy (steel guitar), Dean Taba (bass),  Clayton Cameron (bass), Alden Levi (background vocals) and Kainoa Enos (whistle).

More recognizable names were involved in technical aspects of the recording, including David Kauahikaua, Milan Bertosa, Christian Roberts, Travis Ference and Chae Choe.

More character-driven songs are expected, according to Enos, who admits his influence in this ongoing process include his late mentor, Ron Bright, for his unending you-can-do-it belief;  his mother, whose conversations triggered the jan-ken-po characters; and the late Don Ho, for his wealth of unexpected wisdom. “I recall a bit about villains from Don Ho,”said, Johnson, imitating Ho’s drawling speaking style. “He said (villains) talk in song … so watch out for barracudas out there.” …

Augie on a roll

Augie Tulba, who also is a Honolulu Council member, launched an impressive roster of shows Thursday night. He’ll do stand-up on Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island, with admission at the $20 and $10 levels.

His booking is a twofer, meaning he’ll do a twofer on Sept, 17 at the Hawaii Theatre, with shows at 2 and 8 p.m.

He’s posted an impressive and lively series of ads on Facebook, which gives you an idea of how he’s themed certain shows. Take a peek. …

With condolences…

Details are sparse, but sorry to report the deaths of two entertainers. Carlos Barboza, a member of The Aliis, died earlier this month. Randy Abellar, former member of the Society of Seven, died a few weeks ago in Las Vegas, where services and burial were conducted in Las Vegas. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

Without question, Tom Cruise and his “Top Gun: Maverick” blockbuster  raised the heat temperature, ruling over the summer movie season, which ends as Labor Day and back-to-school classes loom.

Remarkably,”Maverick” — at last count, amassing $662 million — now is the seventh highest grossing domestic flick of all time.

This means that the sequel to Cruise’s 1986 hit also has bypassed “Titanic” figures and also has logged a global take of $1.35 billion so far. And counting.

The film opened Memorial Day weekend in May, traditionally the start of the summer movie derby, and it was a smash from the get-go, earning $156 million that first weekend.

It had the makings of a winner, with a lot going for it: a 99 per cent approval rate from Rotten Tomatoes, grand and glowing reviews, and a career-best performance from Cruise, who had to wait two-plus-years for the film to finally be released because of the pandemic, riding a wave of nostalgia, and became The Movie that attracted audiences to see a film in a legit theater after a frustrating, long wait because the movie houses were shut down as the COVID-19 brought life to a lockdown in late 2019.

“Maverick” became the first Cruise film to surpass the $100 million threshold, which will reap him beaucoup bucks. And perhaps an unplanned second sequel.

It wasn’t a superhero flick, though Cruise earned superhero status in his performance, and wisely, Paramount didn’t put it on a streaming track like a few other films.

It was a big screen, IMAX-flexing wonderment, and a title that triggered a sizeable amount of see-it-twice devotees. When was the last time you were enticed and stoked to see a flick a second time in as many weeks?

The history books may ultimately call “Maverick” the film that saved Hollywood, under all odds. And Cruise will be up there on the moneymaking celeb charts, since he not only will collect a salary as the leading actor, but he also was a producer of the film. His contract will enable him to also earn a percentage of the grosses, in a formula that will put him in a higher income bracket, for sure.

Cruise also still has another major film, a “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” sequel, awaiting release in two parts: July 2023 and June 2024.That’s another franchise that will have fans lining up, perhaps not in the huge numbers of “Top Gun.”

“Maverick” was deemed to be the concluding chapter of the “Top Gun” franchise, but its astonishing performance all summer likely will not go unnoticed. It wasn’t in the plan to have a Part 3, but Paramount would be  remiss to totally ignore one, with Cruise still as the centerpiece.

For the record, “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens,” is the highest grossing domestic film ($936,662,225), followed by “Avengers: Endgame” ($858,373,000,), “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (“804,793,477), “Avatar” ($760,507,625), “Black Panther” ($700,426,566), and “Avengers: Infinity War” ($678,815,482). Following “Top Gun: Maverick”) are “Titanic” ( $659,33363,944), and “Jurassic World” ($6533,406,625).

Zare Anguay joining ‘Aladdin’

Zare Anguay, the actor from Kaneohe last seen in the touring company of “Rent” that played the Blaisdell Concert Hall last December, has been tapped to join the cast of the still-running Disney musical, “Aladdin,” likely in the fall.

He learned his ropes as one of the many youngsters directed by Ron Bright, and is the lone bro of the acting Anguay sisters who did shows at the Ron Bright Theatre at Castle High School as well as Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College.

He’ll be part of the vacation-swing ensemble , which likely means he’ll have to learn and cover several roles in the Tony-winning family musical. …

Broadway grosses, week ending Aug. 21

Recapping the Broadway scene, Hugh Jackman and “The Music Man” raked in $2.784 million, followed by “Hamilton” with $2.194 million, with  “The Lion King” grossing $2.052 million.

The weekly chart is courtesy The Broadway League:

Bette Midler and Sharon Stone will co-star in the movie version  of the. Broadway comedy, “The Allergist’s Wife.”

The source is Charles Busch’s odd-couple comedy which starred Linda Lavin and Michelle Lee on the Broadway stage.

Midler, Hawaii’s homegrown superstar, will portray Marjorie Tubb, an upper-middle-class wife living in New York’s Upper West Side, who is having a mid-life crisis.

Stone will play Taub’s mysterious childhood-era friend, Lee, who arrives in The Big Apple, who upsets the apple cart that is home for Taub and her husband, who is an allergist to the homeless.

The actor playing Dr. Ira Taub, the allergist, has not been named.

Andy Frickman will direct. …

A DeLima Christmas brunch

Comedian Frank DeLima will be featured in a Holiday Brunch show at 1 p.m. Dec. 11 at Blue Note Hawaii, at the Outrigger Waikiki resort.

Doors will open at 11 a.m. and seating will be first-come, first-served.

HisEaster Sunday brunch show earlier this year was a popular attraction and boasted a hearty brunch menu.

DeLima, of course, will do his anticipated comedy shticks, loaded with his brand of ethnic humor and some parodies, but will certainly include his holiday-appropriate “Filipino Christmas.” That means his lit-up, decorated Christmas tree costume will be shared.

Tickets: $35 and $45. There also will be a $10 minimum for food or beverage purchase…

And songstress Dionne Warwick returns to the Blue Note for four shows, at 8 p.m. Dec. 1, 2, 3 and 4 at Blue Note. Doors open at 6 p.m., with beverage and dinner service.

Warwick is her era’s top musical diva, singing the melodies of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, which enabled her and her composers to land on the pop charts.

A multi-Grammy winner, Warwick is responsible for such lasting hits as “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” “Walk on By,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” and “Don’t Make Me Over.”

Ticket: $95 to $150, with a $10 minimum for drinks or food. Tickets at www.bluenotehawaii.com or (808) 777-4890. …

Keola Beamer opening Kahilu season

Maui resident Keola Beamer, the singer-guitarist-composer, and his wife, dancer Moanalani Beamer, will launch Kahilu Theatre’s 2022-23 season at 7 p.m. Aug. 27, in Waimea, Big Island.

The program is themed “Coming Home to Waimea.”

Beamer, a prolific composer as well as ki ho’alu (slack key) guitarist, is best known for his signature “Honolulu City Lights,” a repertoire favorite from his era performing with his brother, Kapono Beamer.

The bros are the sons of Aunty Nona Beamer, the legendary Hawaiiana authority and dancer and the matriarch of an iconic musical family, with roots on the Big Island.

Keola was among the instrumental players in the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance of the 1970s, an era that gave birth to a number of Hawaiian solo singers, guitarists, composers and chanters whose presence led to the keen new interest in Hawaiian music with an updated pop reincarnation, particularly in Waikiki, whose showrooms and lounges were filled with budding vocalists and musicians for a new generation of fans.

Tickets: (808) 885-6868 …

Broadway grosses, week ending Aug. 14

So no one exceeded the $3 million gross pinnacle last week, though the usual leaders were paying musical chairs.

No. 1, “The Music Man,” topping the field with its 76 trombones and $2.784 million gross.

No. 2, “Hamilton,” grossing $2.194 million, a bridesmaid in the room where it’s still happening.

No. 3, “The Lion King,” still roaring its circle of livelihood, at $2.052 million.

Data, courtesy The Broadway League. The tallies:

And that’s Show Biz. …

Few have been as passionate and dedicated as Kevin Iwamoto, about his multi-careers after graduating from high school.

For Iwamoto, widely known and beloved with his short-hand billing, Kevin I, entertainment has been a centerpiece of his island life. But only briefly.

While his musical pendulum swung for about a decade — he was featured vocalist in a popular Hawaii band and as a solo balladeer on several vinyl albums — singing would be an interlude that soon gave way to wider opportunities that enabled him to bank on his savvy as an honor graduate in the University of Hawaii’s TIM (Travel Industry Management ) business school. TIM opened doors to his versatility and success in the domestic and global realm.

That was then, but this leads to the now.

Kevin, who resides in California, has a solid global following because of his expertise, leadership and biz connections via BIZLY Inc., where he serves as Chief Customer Officer.

But his vintage music has been digitally revived, for a new and growing internet crowd particularly during the pandemic. So, when he comes home this week to take part in the Golden Anniversary as a Class of 1972 graduate of Roosevelt High School, he will have many tales to share, from his portfolio of triumphs.

His Rough Rider colleagues – 115, according to his count —  didn’t know a singer was in their midst back in the day, because as a student, he had yet to cross that bridge.

But the Roosevelt alums will learn, and receive, newly minted copies of his digitalized CD dubbed “The Best of Kevin I, 1980-1985,” – that convincingly validates the pipes he had in his show biz prime.

In fact, his entertainment spike has triggered a rebirth of his old tunes, which  became available online during  COVID-19, and  new fans from all over the world started ordering his romantic brew of the ‘80s, without ever seeing him in person in a show, or even a video, because most of the YouTube  sharing and postings were not part of his tools then. This specialty is the romantic melodies, like “Fairy Tale,” which is probably more popular now, than during his prime, because of online ordering and sharing and buzz.

As a now-celeb in his graduating class, he was asked to sing at the anniversary gala this Friday night (Aug. 19) at the Ala Moana Hotel ballroom.

“Since I don’t sing anymore but they wanted me to, I decided to just gift my fellow RHS alumni with a special CD edition of my “The Best of Kevin I, 1980-1985” digital album.”

Not only that, because the Roosevelt Class of ’70 and ’71 couldn’t enjoy a 5^0th year party because of COVID restrictions, grads from these two years will join in the  ’72 party.

To embellish the songfest, Kevin also invited a pal from the past, who also is a singer, to join him in song. She is Sandy Tsukiyama, class of ’71, who is a onetime performer with the Ebb Tides band  and a noted Brazilian musician artist and public radio host.

“I actually mentored Sandy, when she first started singing with the Ebb Tides, and I loaned her my personal  mic, which I never do, as I’m a bit of a germaphobe,” said Kevin. “We’ve remained friends and have stayed in touch.”

Clearly, the suggestion to co-feature Tsukiyama at the reunion is a reflection of his aloha, his fellowship and his ability to share and give. That he also personally financed the ordering of the old-new CD is a measure of his generosity.

And no doubt, his signing experience has developed confidence and showmanship whenever he conducts live or virtual workshops for his biz connections via BIZLY Inc., where he serves as Chief Customer Officer.

“By the way, I just got another industry recognition but this one is special because it cites my newfound passion of supporting the API community in terms of education support and advocacy using my global industry platform.”

The accolade, reported in Meetings Today, applauds Kevin’s conscious recognition and giving-back-to-the-community spirit.

 The article said, “Responding to the disturbing rash of hate crimes against people of Asian descent in the U.S., Iwamoto is one of several API meetings and events leaders who have stepped up to address both the violence and also counter what is described as the ‘invisibility’ and lack of leadership opportunities for Asians in the industry.”

Further, Kevin also has funded scholarships for junior industry professionals enabling next-gen folks to have access to industry events and grants.  He also continues to fund an at-home scholarship endowment for the TIM program, where his biz journey had its roots.

And as a longtime friend, I can attest: Kevin is local to the core, not just with his island pals, but with his community of biz colleagues across the globe. Like, he always brings omiyage for friends and shares the practice when he’s on a work-related trip. It’s a practice engrained in your DNA when you live local, but he frequently spreads the spirit everywhere he goes, too. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

Don Ho, who would have been 92 tomorrow (Saturday Aug. 13), will be remembered in a day-long birthday celebration at the International Marketplace in Waikiki.

Ho, who died on April 14, 2007 at age 76, is Hawaii’s best known Hawaiian entertainer. He headlined at Duke Kahanamoku’s, the legendary nightclub where he launched his journey to global fame; the long-gone club was located a stone’s throw away from where a statue of Ho now stands.

Dwight Ho, one of Don’s son and often the spokesman for the family, said he and his wife will attend dad’s birthday event, likely with other siblings. But he noted in an email,  “As much as the microphone and I don’t like each other, it somehow ends up in my hand,” referring to the likely prospect of him addressing the expected gathering.

The remembrance celebration will begin at 10 a.m., with a lei-draping event at the statue site.

Other events tomorrow:

• 4 to 5 p.m., Henry Kapono and Friends will present a “Suck ‘em Up” tribute show at the Queen’s Court show space on the first floor at the marketplace.
• 5 to 7 p.m., a Don Ho archival photo installation ceremony.
• 11 p.m. to midnight, “Celebrating Uncle Don,” featuring Kimie Miner, at Moani Waikiki located on the third floor at the marketplace. …

A confession: I’ve shared birthday dinners with Uncle Don perhaps three times over the decades, when he was headlining at a Waikiki venue (you know, he started at Duke’s and has reigned at such other clubs as the Hilton Hawaiian Village Dome, the Polynesian Palace, and the Waikiki Beachcomber, among others). The dinners were on a night-off for Ho, or a late after-a-show meal. In his later years  he often ate sensibly, loved Chinese, and adored chit-chats with me and the late Frannie Kirk, an industry peer who often planned the birthday bites.  Geez, they must be having a funfest in that great showplace in the skies. …

Remembering Dennis Carroll

Kumu Kahua Theatre is launching a philanthropic ticket honoring its founder, the late Dennis Carroll, throughout its 52^nd season, from Aug. 25 this year through Aug. 2023.

In the spirit of the tenet of the director-playwriter-professor Carroll to make theater accessible to all, up to  10 free Dennis Carroll Memorial tickets will be available to those financially challenged to experience the performing arts.

Carroll was a professor emeritus of the University of Hawaii’s Department of Theatre and Dance, who died on Nov. 25, 2021, at age 81. So the memorial ticket campaign is timed to his passing. A related celebration of life is being planned this fall on the Manoa campus.

For information on the memorial tickets, call  Kumu Kahua at (808) 536-4441 or visit www.KumuKahua.org …

Add these to the Zip tab

So the Zippy’s Senior Card is history, meaning no more 10 per cent discounts for the elderly,  but  the Zipster program accruing spending totals for rewards (open to all) has been launched at the Zippy’s restaurants.

But check your tab, my friends; there’s also a new “kitchen charge” to your tab now. Had a quick lunch at the Iwilei Zippy’s today, and a 51-cents (affordable for sure) charge was a newbie on the bill. Surely, it will be a higher fee with a larger purchase  – a growing trend for eateries to add on a new dining tax to cover operational costs, a move initiated earlier by Romano’s Macaroni Grill, if you recall.

Also, I’ve received several “what?!” comments, when I earlier mentioned that Zippy’s add-o “sides “charge for three pieces of Spam  is $8.10 with breakfast, but one eagle-eyed diner correctly mentions a slightly higher charge of $8.15 for three slides of bacon and a wad of corned beef hash. …

The forecast is Rain

Pearlridge Center celebrates five decades of service in Hawai‘i with a concert featuring Crossing Rain will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 19 at Wai Makai’s second level at Pearlridge Center, which is marking its fifth decade of service.  The local boy band will perform for shoppers and engage in a meet-and-greet until 8 p.m. Good op to see ‘em and do selfies, before they become global superstars. …

And that’s Show Biz. …