Category: Updates

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SOLO RECORDING FOR NANI

Nani Dudoit,  kumu hula wife of entertainer Horace Dudoit of the group Ho‘okena, is making her debut as a solo recording artist with the release tomorrow (Dec. 5) of her single, “Maika‘i Waipi‘o.”

“It’s a passion project,” said hubby Horace of the tune, which has historic and familial implications:

  • It honors her ‘ohana and mother Cosmiana Ann Parilla, a onetime vocalist of Filipino heritage who performed on the “Filipino Fiesta” TV shows in the late 1950s through the early 1960s.
  • It’s the first song Nani’s Halau Kaleilehuaikealoonalani learned together as an ensemble in the halau’s formative years; the composer was Princess Miriam Likelike.
  • The effort is to produce a 45 rpm disc featuring her voice, and thus provide a bit of history to pass on to the family’s children including mo‘opuna (grandchildren), to prevent a void in her mom’s life;  she had recorded a 45, too, but Nani’s dad and aunties could not find the historic recording, so Nani is doing the single as a celebration of her mom’s legacy.
  • Husband Horace arranged the song and performed on six-string guitar on the session, recorded on Nov. 14, Nani’s birthday; industry notables who participated include David Kauahikaua (string arrangements), Shawn Pimental (recording engineer), Dave Tucciarone (mix and master), Brad “Kanai‘a” Nakam (cover art) and Kaipo Hale, Moon Kauakahi and Les Ceballos (consultants).
Nani Dudoit

I got a preview listen of Nani’s single venture, and her voice is made for recording; she sings all three parts when harmony is required, and “Maika‘i  Waipi‘o” — sung in Hawaiian — likely will emerge as a halau favorite, not just within her camp, but in other halau seeking a sweet memory of a beloved song composed by a royal Hawaiian princess. The “place” song beautifully pays tribute to Waipi‘o Valley on the Big Island, and Nani’s performance on disc is a formidable salute to the past and a glowing beacon for the future.

Nani is not in pursuit of a recording career, but this recording might change her mind. She wants to  remain a hula practitioner and a solo hula stylist with Ho‘okena, though she sang in her high school concert glee and choir. “Maika‘i Waipi‘o” simply was the right song for the right time – performed in an event, “Na Lani Eha” — in her journey as an entertainer.

The disc is being released on all digital music platforms…

And that’s Show Biz…

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‘CHICAGO:’ RAZZLE DAZZLE REDO

You might say that “Chicago,” the hit Broadway show, still has “legs.”

Add elbows, and arms, and wrists, and fingers.

The show, the final installment of the “Broadway in Hawaii” series, opened last night  (Dec. 2) at the Blaisdell Concert Hall, and received a genuine, hearty, and roaring welcome.

The applause — loud and proud — was constant for the elbows, arms, wrists and fingers, a trademark of the legendary Bob Fosse, long associated with “Chicago.”

“Chicago” has become the longest-running American musical running on Broadway, and the hit show –this national touring company — is in residency through Sunday.

If you’ve never seen “Chicago,“ it’s still a dandy.

Why you might go see this one:

C horeography – Ann Reinking has retained the original Bob Fosse style, and Gregory Butler recreated the original choreography. Fosse is the legendary dance wizard, whose trademark style taps succinct movements of elbows and wrists and fingers. His presence is all over the place, and but credit is merely a wee, teeny note in the playbill. Oldtimers will recognize the Fosse finery, but I fear the younger generation is unaware of his lofty status and style.

Ellle Roddy as Roxy Hart, flanked by the “Chicago” ensemble.

H it tunes – the music fuels the action, , thanks to the songwriting team of Fred Ebb (lyrics) a John Kander (music), who collaborated on the book. The popular, inventive songs in the score include “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango,” “When You’re Good to Mama,”  “Razzle Dazzle,” “Mister Cellophane,” “Class,” and “Nowadays.”

Claire Marshall, as Velma Kelly, fronting the “Chicago” cast,

I ntensity – There is terrific interaction of the singing and dancing actors, who excel in the numerous ensemble numbers, with even the orchestra members roped into many numbers. This version feeds off the orchestral crew, too, because they’re not in the pit, but in the midst of the action, surrounded by key entrances and exits of the performers.

C harisma – The  interaction and reaction are possible because of the pent-up emotion within the ranks, and the stage is like a cabaret club, with singers chirping amid the musicians, creating solid bonds.

A ttitude – The feeling among the performers and even among the audience is that this borrows traditions from such show biz facets as a speakeasy, a vaudeville revue, a nightclub without a curtain, for the most part, to separate performers from spectators. Is integration possible with several different elements and forms?

Illeana “illy” Kirvin, is Mama Morton the jail matron,

G rit – The hodgepodge of characters yields a community of curious denizens: fame-seeking murderesses on death row,  a somewhat corrupt prison warden, newspaper reporters, a judge, jury members, law officials, and more.

O xygen – The splendid cast members are the ingredients of this stew, and their actions and acting styles, provide oxygen and flavors to the fray.  The feuding murderesses are Claire Marshall as Velma Kelly and Ellie Roddy as Roxy Hart; Max Cervantes is lawyer Billy Flynn, Illieana “illy” Kirven is Mama Morton the jail matron; Amos Hart is Roxy’s husband, and J. Clanton is murder trial reporter Mary Sunshine.

FYI, the original “Chicago” – a commercial and critical triumph –bowed in 1975 with Gwen Verdon as Roxie Hart and Chita Rivera as Velma Kelly. Bob Fosse directed and choreographed.

This version of “Chicago,” reimaging the Fosse version and retaining his signature dance moves is 25 years old…but still has a lot of life.

So, in actuality, “Chicago” is 50 years old.

Remaining performances will be at 7:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday). 8 p.m. Friday (Dec.  5), 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 6) and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 7).

Tickets: $50 to $156, available at the Blaisdell Concert Hall and www.ticketmaster.com

‘Hamilton’ exceeds $4.8 million gross

Christmas arrived early this year for the cast, crew and investors of “Hamiton,”  since the megahit Tony Award musical grosses an awesome $4.88 miilion, for the week ending Nov. 30. The Thanksgiving crowd surely contributed to the amazing ticket sales.

“Harry Potter,” “Wicked,” and “The Lion King’ continued their secondary sweep.

The Top 10:

1—”Hamilton,” $4.877 million

2—”Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $3.152 million

3—”Wicked,” “$3.012 million

4—”The Lion King,” $2.787 million

5—”Chess,” $2.066 million

6—”Mamma Mia!,” $2.020 million

7—“Aladdin,” $1.716 million

8—”MJ, the Musical,” $1.595 million

9—”The Outsider,” $1.562 million

10—“Ragtime,” $1.461million

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway Guild:

And that’s Show Biz…

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TREES: FRESH OR FAUX?

Starting today and periodically through Christmas, we’ll pose a question about the holidays and hope you’ll respond with a comment.

Today’s question: Do you favor a fresh pine tree or prefer an artificial tree, and why?

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A CHRISTMAS GIFT OF SONG

‘Twas a month before Christmas

At Blaisdell Concert Hall;

Honolulans were having

An early yuletide ball.

Bandmaster Clarke Bright

And his Royal Hawaiian Band

Were sharing a holiday show

With guests oh so grand.

Like Henry and Karen

Raiatea, Malia, Starr,

And Kamehameha choir youths

The eve’s best charmers, by far…

Royal Hawaiian Band’s Bandmaster Clarke Bright

OK, enough with the rhymes. The evening was themed “Kalikimaka Ho‘omau” (“It’s Christmas Every Day”), a freebie staged by the City and County of Honolulu as the town’s annual yule time community highlights.

It’s a marvelous gift of song and artistry for the citizenry, and most gratifying was to watch the ordinary folks parading down the aisles seeking seats. The elderly, many in wheelchairs or utilizing canes, were assisted by ‘ohana to secure the best viewing locations. Many brought in bentos, not a proper thing since food is not allowed in the Concert Hall, but didn’t see anyone getting questioned, though the aroma of kau kau (and this was no luau) was improper.

Kala‘i Stern, RHB Glee Club leader, emceed the program, which showcased island music, hula, and novelty and traditional Christmas favorites. For variety, the RHB Big Band as well as the ‘Ohana Jazz Trio with guest artists provided variety, while simultaneously showcasing the depth and versatility of our homegrown cultural asset.

Henry Kapono

Many came to hear and rally for Henry Kapono, perhaps the state’s must active artist who shared some of his signature tunes: “Home in the Islands,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “I Wish Christmas Was Everyday” and “Merry Christmas To You.”

Starr Kalahiki provided a sultry, sensational “J-I-N-G-L-E Bells,” and she was clad in a sleek red gown of renown. The tune, and arrangement, has ties with singer Frank Sinatra’s“Jingle Bells” recording, which has the clever spelling of “jingle” in the verse

Raiatea Helm

Raiatea Helm, who has a new Christmas album this year, rendered three tunes, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “O Come All Ye Faithful” and a poignant “Ave Maria.” Her poufy top was an indescribably oversized creation in white/yellow, worn over a silvery and glittering bottom. And she chose to have a  lengthy pigtail  dangling over her left shoulder, and a large floral accessory over her left ear completed her holiday glam look

Karen Keawehawai’i

Karen Keawehawai‘i also was abloom, a reddish-pinkish garden of sorts in her first time on stage, singing “Ku’u Hoa” while dancers from Ka La “Onohi Mai o Ha‘eha‘e” did the hula.  And for “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,”  Keawehawai‘i  donned beaucoup yellow plumeria over her left ear. Festive and plentiful, which is her common trademark look.

Malia Ka’ai

Malia Ka‘ai chose white anthuriums, worn over her right ear, when she shared the hypnotic “O Holy Night,” with the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus, conducted by Lynell Bright, offering backup vocals. She displayed power and range in her vocal dynamics.

The Kamehameha youths clearly were the evening’s favorite, thanks to their signature hit, “Hawaiian Rolle Coast Ride,” heard in this year’s box office hit, the live-action “Lilo & Stitch,” though the kiddie fave also has had a life outside film exposure. The chorus is a treasure and a treat.

The Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus, on screen and on stage.

The ‘Ohana Jazz Trio, guest artists, had the moves and the grooves to please the audience and blended well with the RHB. Noel Okimoto (drums), Dean Taba (bass) and Tommy James (piano) are also known as soloists.

Emcee Stern also is a solo singer, and demonstrated ease and efficiency in his “Christmas in Hawaii” number, augmented by hula dances Kanani Oliveira and Ku‘uei Hazlewood.

Bandmaster Bright continues to carry on the legacy of the Royal Hawaiian Band, whose roots to Hawaiian monarchy make it a unique organization in annals of performing arts. The band also boasts a number of star musicians and arrangers in the ranks, and the band’s link with a cultural ambassador, kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, is yet another stitch of authenticity in the organization’s rich legacy…

And that’s Show Biz…

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CRAFTS: Downsizing without sacrificing

I was somewhat joyous to see a Google magazine photo (above) of Christmas ornaments the other day. Not just ordinary Christmas ornaments, but downsized toys and scenic incrementals displayed in a lavish montage of wee ornamentals, suitable as toys but precious as a landscape of holiday décor to display.

Smaller crafts, 2 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches

For years now, I have been producing yuletide collectibles of larger proportions, a few eight to 10 inches tall and five or six inches wide. These are suitable for table centerpieces or displays on a desk or on a shelf.

This season, quite a few of my creations have been considerably smaller.

And with reasons.

A lot of the recipients reside in senior residences, where space is precious and minimal. A large piece takes a lot of space, so reducing the dimensions make sense.

So, I’ve been on downsize mode this season. My larger small ornamentals are 2 ½ by  2 ½  inches in size. They require smaller boxes to mail. The scenics still have holiday cheer, but tinier, and cute as hell. So it’s possible to downsize, without sacrificing.

A tray full of teeny yule decors,

This all becomes a factor of cost;  back in the day, it used to  be that a tiny box with pins and a modest size ornament might have cost $1.99 to $2.25. Nowadays, a comparable mailing requires anywhere from $7.99 to $9.99. Won’t reveal the estimated costs of shipping stuff, but my mailing list has mushroomed to perhaps 80 to 90 recipients, nearing 100.

Shrinking the mailing list so far is not an option; appreciate the warm responses every year.