Category: Show Biz

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OBAMAS BACK HERE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Some things never change: The Obamas have been spending holiday time in Hawaii, a tradition that dates back to the time when Barack Obama was POTUS and Michelle Obama was FLOTUS. He was spotted golfing at the Mid-Pacific Golf Course earlier this week.

Not sure if the Obama daughters are here, too.  It’s likely that more sightings might be forthcoming regarding the president’s dining and snacking visits in our midst. …

Michelle and Barack Obama: Hawaiian holiday.

Mele rescheduled

“Aloha Mele,” which was earlier scheduled but abruptly cancelled last year at the Hawaii Theatre, is back on the radar again. A pair of Hawaiian music shows, which were part of a planned centennial event for the downtown venue last year, will now be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 6 and 7.

The lineups have changed, from the previous plans, with this slate scheduled:

  • Friday: Ei Nei, Liko Sanders, Mark Yamanaka, Kamakakehau Fernandez,  Tau Dance, Mailani Makainai, Keolalaulani Hālau ʻŌlapa O Laka.
  • Saturday: Pomaika’I, Kawika Kahiapo, Kainani Kahaunael Kehaulani Enos, Bobby Moderow Jr.

A few Hawaii acts have expressed disappointment with the Hawaii Theatre’s lack of support of local performers, favoring promotion of Mainland shows instead. Thus, this two-night event – while boasting island entertainment — appears to lack marquee Hawaiian performers.

General admission tickets are  $50; masks are suggested.  Reservations: (808) 528-0506…

Keiki workshops scheduled

Mary Gutzi

Mary Gutzi, veteran Broadway trouper, will stage a workshop for children destined for roles in stage, film and television from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Manoa Marketplace.

The workshop is open to youths 7 to 14, who must be able to read scripts. Gutzi will provide tips and secrets on how to audition for prospective projects.

For reservation  details, call Nancy Bernal at (808) 947-5736 or email nancybernal@aol.com. Cost is $50 and payment is required to secure a slot.

The workshop site is next to the post office behind Safeway. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

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BRUNO’S NEW YEAR’S EVE WILL HAVE RUM

Looks like Bruno Mars will ring in 2023 in Las Vegas, with his favorite rum in hand.

The superstar from Hawaii will be the centerpiece, along with his fave Selva Rey brand of booze, at the Mayfair Supper Club at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino on New Year’s Eve.

Bruno Mars

DJ Pee Wee, aka his Silk Sonic collaborator Anderson .Paak, will be part of the ritzy and exclusive event, limited to a luxe group of 150 guests, who’ll nibble on Wagyu steak and caviar. A champagne toast with Jay-Z and Beyonce’s Ace of Spades brand, is part of the package.ai

The Bellagio Fountains will be dancing, natch,  with Mars delivering a live performance himself.

No mention of prices, but if you have to ask, you can’t afford ‘em, right? …

The other Bruno

Speaking of Bruno: Have you watched the Disney+ streaming musical of “Encanto,” the Lin-Manuel Miranda creation, staged as a legit Broadway-style biggie?

Some reflections:

  • * “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” was the anchor tune and the breakout hit making No. 1 on the music charts. The cast from the animated original was reunited for the first time, to deliver a fresh, in-the-flesh rendering of the catchy song. (Sorry, Mars, it’s not about you).
  • * Remarkably, the show featured a huge cast of singers and dancers, supported by a large orchestra, with oodles of Latino costumes and a network of different animals, like donkeys. The venue was the Hollywood Bowl, which also was dressed in continuous lighting sequences and a light circular feature with kaleidoscopic versatility, smartly viewed with overhead filming.
  • * Overall, if Disney has the inclination, “Encanto” all about the Madrigal family, has the power (and buzz?) to make the transition to the Broadway stage. A “name” might enhance appeal, but it’s clearly an ambitious ensemble endeavor. …

Bernadette Peters returning to Hawaii

Bernadette Peters

Bernadette Peters, one of the darlings of the Broadway stage, is returning to Hawaii for a concert at 8 p.m. May 27 at the Hawaii Theatre. Because of the spectrum of shows she’s starred in, she can handle the repertoire of the likes of Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd- Webber and Marvin Hamlisch.  I’ve seen her in “Gypsy,” “Sunday in the Park With George” and “Annie Get Your Gun” and she’s remarkable with a glow of her own. Tickets: $89 to $130, at hawaiitheatre.com or call the box office at (808) 528–0506. …

Blue Notations

Recent additions to the Blue Note Hawaii calendar:

Henry Kapono
  • The Manhattan Transfer’s 50th Anniversary and Final World Tour lands at Blue Note Hawaii at 6:30 p.m. Feb.21 and 22. Tickets: $65 Premium, $55 Loge and Bar. Reservations at (808) 777-4890.
  • Henry Kapono will launch yet another Artists 2 Artist series at Blue Note, featuring Jerry Santos on Feb. 2, Keola Beamer on March 9, Makaha Sons on April 13 and Brother Noland on May 10. The format includes Henry chatting with his guests, who get to share their mana’o and then render tune or two with the host in charge. Tickets: (808) 777-4890.

And that’s Show Biz. …

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DISNEY+ STREAMING STAGED ‘ENCANTO’

If you enjoyed Disney’s animated “Encanto” film earlier this year, the hit Latino show about the Madrigal family, you might want to check out a Disney Branded Television special, “Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl,” available for streaming via Disney+, beginning today (Thursday Dec. 28).

The stage show, taped for television, originates from the Hollywood Bowl which was transformed into the magical Casita and features a special introduction from show creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. The spectacle features an 80-member orchestra and assembles a dancing ensemble of  50 dancers, with original voices of the animated film featured: Stephanie Beatriz (as Mirabel), Adassa (as Dolores), Carolina Gaitán (as Pepa), Jessica Darrow (as Luisa), Diane Guerrero (as Isabela), Mauro Castillo (as Félix), Angie Cepeda (as Julieta) and Olga Merediz (as Abuela Alma) and special guests, including legendary Colombian superstars and multiple Latin Grammy winners Carlos Vives and Andrés Cepeda.

“Encanto” originates from the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.


Of course, one of the popular featured tunes is the unexpected No. 1 hit breakout hit, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.”

Wonder if this staged production is a preview or a trial balloon for Disney’s rumored intention to transport the animated film into the realm of a Broadway musical someday. …

Around ‘n’ about…

Shari Lynn

Singer Shari Lynn will be joined by keyboardist Jim Howard in  a last-minute New Year’s Eve booking at the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s lounge fronting the Bali restaurant.  The gig, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday night, will showcase Shari’s signature jazz, with a serving of favorites from the Great  American Songbook catalogue of tunes by the likes of Cole Porter and the George and Ira Gershwin repertoire. The venue, plagued by pillars, has limited seating, so plan accordingly. ..

America (Dewey Burnell and Gerry Beckley) will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 15 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets: $49 to $129 at www.ticketmaster.com. Expect to  hear such chart toppers “Tin Man,” “A Horse With No Name,” “Sister Golden Hair,”  “You Can Do Magic,” “Ventura Highway,” and “Lonely People.” …

Blue Note attractions

Blue Note Hawaii, at the Outrigger Waikiki resort, will welcome a host of diverse acts during the New Year.

Jake Shimabukuro

First, a few local shows:

Jake Shimabukuro reunites with his Pure Heart band, at 6:30 and 9 pm. Jan. 18 and 19. Tickets: $35- $45.

Azure McCall and Ken Polson make a rare appearance together at 3 and 6:30 p.m. April 16. Tickets: $25-$35

Visiting acts:

Felix Cavaliere and the Rascals take the limelight, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Jan. 27, 28 and 29. Tickets:$45-$55.

Chris Botti returns for performances at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Feb. 9, 20, 11 and 12. Tickets: $75-$85.

The Manhattan Transfer concertizes at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Feb. 21 and 22. Tickets: $55-$65.

Shaun Cassidy

Shaun Cassidy offers shows at 6:30 and 9 p.m. March 10 and 11. Tickets: $45-$55.

Tower of Power and its famous brass section pump it out at 7 p.m. May 11 and 14 and 6:30 and 9 p.m. May 12 and 13. Tickets: $86-$116.

Ticketmaster.com is the official Blue Note website; note that other sellers often sell seats at higher prices. Blue Note phone: (808) 777-4890…

And that’s Show Biz. …

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‘HAMILTON’: UNDERSTUDIES MATTER, TOO

I revisited “Hamilton” for the third time earlier this week (Dec. 21) at the Blaisdell Concert Hall,  experiencing a different Alexander Hamilton, Tre Frazier; another Eliza Schuler, Emma Claye; and a new George Washington, Ellis C. Dawson III.

It was a half-full house, on a week night, and I hope the empty seats get filled in the coming weeks since “Hamilton” runs through Jan. 29.

Tre Frazier

Simply put, it’s a pleasure to experience different performers since cast members have days off. So  it matters little who’s doing a role. It was my third time here watching this incredible show … and three earlier viewings in New York and Chicago. I never tire of seeing something I like, over and over.

A touring company like this one, dubbed “And Peggy,” commonly will have cast adjustments and a high bar to contend with, but in reality, anyone cast in any role must be capable of working up to the level  established by the original New York company that originally showcased Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The understudies, like the aforementioned, are vital for a big production like “Hamilton.” They fill in for principals, who get a night or day off from the tight schedule, not only in tours like this cast but in sit-down shows anchored in such markets as Broadway and the West End. Understudies provide a valuable role and doing leads bolster their profiles.

A standing ovation, for “Hamilton,” at Blaisdell Concert Hall.

When you attend a show, here or elsewhere, that inserted white sheet in your playbill will list alternates filling in for the regular leads. Since you don’t know traveling casts, you won’t know who’s principal or who’s understudy, so just soak in the performances. Better yet, revisit the show and see others in action. You won’t be disappointed…remember, understudies matter. …

Broadway grosses, week ending Dec. 16

It’s a toasty Christmas for “The Music Man,” which grosses $3.255 million last week. You might thing the No. 1 hit featuring Hugh Jackman hit the cast is chirping, “It’s a Most Wonderful World.”

No. 2 was “The Lion King,” earning $2.449 million. Its anthem just might be, “O Come All Ye Faithful.”

No. 3 was “Hamilton,” pulling in $2.255  million. Its shot could be, “Joy to the World.”

Lea Michele

No. 4 was “Wicked,” logging $1.159 million. Its bewitching popularity merits a bouncy ditty, so why not “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”?.

No. 5 is a  newbie in the million dollar club, “Funny Girl,” amassing $2.005 million. The thematic “Jingle Bell Rock” could apply here, since the cash registers have been ringing like crazy since Lea Michele became Fanny Brice.

The listing is courtesy The Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz. …

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KEALA SETTLE JOINS ‘WICKED’ FILM

Great to learn that some of our Hawaii-reared talent are finding their way to the big screen.

No, not referring to the likes of Jason Momoa and Dwayne Johnson. They are in their own league, with signature projects under way.

Talking about the likes of Keala Settle, who will play Miss Coddle in the Jon M. Chu-directed movie version of “Wicked.” You know Settle best as the former Kahuku actress who famously portrayed the Bearded Woman in Hugh Jackson’s mega-hit musical, “The Greatest

Keala Settle

Showman,” in which Settle might have been a sideshow attraction but wound up performing and scoring a huge musical hit, “This Is Me.”

Headliners in this Broadway-to-cinema transition of “Wicked” will be the earlier announced Cynthia Ervo and Ariana Grande, who will take over the leads of Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West) originated by Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth (Glinda the Witch of the South), respectively. “Wicked” (the movie) also will bring together Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, and Bowen Yang as Pfannee.

Director Chu, who  helmed Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights” in its film incarnation, has expressed an opinion that “Wicked” ran 2 hours and 45 minutes as a Broadway show, but opined on Twitter that “it would be impossible to wrestle the story of ‘Wicked’ in a single film without doing some real damage to it.” Omitting or trimming tunes or character roles felt like fatal compromises to the original sources, and composer Stephen Schwartz seconded the motion. Thus, a two-parter is in the works and composer Schwartz has agreed that Act 1 will conclude with “Defying Gravity,” and he will write a new original addition to the flick version, as reported in Variety. “Wicked Part 1” is due to be released  by Universal on Dec. 25, 2024, and “Wicked Part 2” will follow on Dec. 25, 2025. Talk about a multi-Christmas present. …

Auli’i Cravalho

Elsewhere,  Auli‘i  Cravalho, who voiced Moana in Disney’s “Moana” animated film, has been cast in the forthcoming Paramount+ film version of “Mean Girls,” which will be directed by Arturo Perez and Samantha Jayne. Cravalho will portray Janis, with Renee Rapp reprising her role as  Regina George (she did it on Broadway), Angourie Rice as Cady, and Jaquel Spivey as Damian in other key roles…

Still strumming and teaching

The annual Ukulele Festival no longer is in founder Roy Sakuma’s rear view mirror. He’s moved on.

Roy Sakuma

“Boy, how times have changed,” he said in an email. “ I am still teaching (mostly on Zoom) but do go to the studio on Wednesday mornings to teach.  It’s still a lot of fun to teach.”

Of course, the folks love him since he’s a jovial sort, with not just teaching skills, but with memories to share.

Meanwhile, wife Kathy still has been busy running the studio. Almost like a mom-and-pop operation, like the good  ol’ days. …

And that’s Show Biz. …