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Felt a creative urge yesterday, so decided to work on a summerish note card. Had this snack-laden paper, which lacked a local punch, so decided to do several variations of this aloha shirt card, capped with a strawberry shave ice, that’s now part of my Wild Cards catalogue. Happy summer!
At 95, showman Jack Cione has slowed his gait and his memory fades off and on.
Yet, he is in the midst of prepping the Arcadia Follies set for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7, 8 and 9 and 2:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Arcadia’s theater space on Punahou Street.
“This is my last one,” Cione (pictured left) said the other day. “I really think so, because I’m moving slower and I often forget what I taught the cast.”
He selects tunes for the cavalcade of melodies, and assigns tasks and teaches the choreography to the cast. Several years ago, “the last one” was to be the final one, and the concept put to rest, prior to the pandemic.
But there Cione is again, still an active Arcadian, tooling around on a scooter, since he has difficulty walking. The cane and the walker are history now.
“Broadway Babies” is the theme of the production, featuring veteran regulars like Elva Yoshihara and Sheila Black, who will be among the “Babes” in the cast of 30, with origins from such shows as “Hello, Dolly,” “Mame,” and “Mary Poppins.”
Outsiders (non Arcadians) such as Becky Hahn, Faith Agbayani and John and Karen Kotake are also faces and dancers you might recall, if you’ve been to previous Follies.
Cione’s tact is to have his cast lip-synch to notable show tunes – this year’s show will highlight tunes from shows like “Pippin’” – and fortunately, costumes that were featured in past productions will be back, likely with a new wrinkle and twinkle.
See, when Cione decided to throw in the towel, some of the costumes were sold but many were retained by costumer Bill Dougherty, who oversaw the gear back in the day.
When he died, the costumes were bequeathed to Hahn, who happily stored them in her basement and has helped return some to their original glory for yet another go.
The show is free to Arcadians and their guests, so unless you know someone in that senior facility, you can’t have access. …
Clublicity
Singer Mary Gutzi’s (pictured right) in the spotlight, from 7 to 10 p.m. today (July 22), at the Paradise Lounge of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Her buddy Shari Lynn will return there, same timetable, on Aug. 5, then Shari and hubby Michael Acebedo, will head for a Mediterranean cruise to celebrate his 80th birthday. They return around Sept. 14 …
Gail Mack (pictured left) and Gordon Kim have been a singing duo for several decades now, after their George Street group disbanded. So if you’re a fan/follower, you might want to check ‘em out from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 20, at Mango Street Grill, at 130 Mango St., in Wahiawa. I don’t get around much anymore, but you might explore and join them. (I get my Gail Mack treat during the holidays, when her beloved “It’s Christmas Once More in Hawaii Nei” gets constant radio play. )…
But here’s some lovely news, that you can plan ahead to attend. Gail and Gordon will be joined by Jerry Santos (pictured right), Kamuela Kimokeo and Steve Lucas, Dec. 23, at Mango Street, in what seems to be a Christmas present. For information, call (808) 627-5451, and reservations are suggested.
Santos warrants a regular gig in Waikiki, with his group Olomana, but even before the pandemic, it’s been tough for anyone to land a club. Hotels neglect to do their part in turning around the slump in business, and despite knowing that on-site music is an amenity worth offering to visitors, there seems to be no upward move to return to the days of glory .,..
And that’s Show Biz. …
A roster of bona fide luminaries in Hawaii’s recording industry will be honored in the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts’ Lifetime Achievement Awards gala Nov. 5 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s Monarch Room.
The 2023 inductees are:
A luncheon ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. with a silent auction and no-host cocktails, with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. for seating and a lunch at 11 a.m. The ceremony begins at noon and will feature entertainment with biographic profiles, concluding at 2 p.m.
The event also will bestow a Legacy Recognition honor to the late Cynthia “Cindy” Ann Lance, a Hula Records executive who also was researcher and writer and savvy and knowledgeable Hawaiiana expert.
Tickets: $90.
Details: info@HARAHAWAII.com or call Janet Maduliat (808) 282-5577…
Hollywood strike has impacted local filming
The shutdown of Hollywood productions on the Mainland impacted Hawaii shows too.
With actors going on strike, in support of the Writers
Guild of America walkout, all shows are on pause.
Nearly 160,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are supporting the 20,000 Writers Guild of America members who have been picketing since May, when negotiations broke down with writers seeking a new three-year contract with movie studios.
The SAG-AFTRA strike affects 1,200 actors in Hawaii.
The shows affected are CBS’ “NCIS: Hawai‘i,” which apparently completed its second season filming before the shutdown occurred, and Disney’s live-action “Moana” and live-action “Lilo and Stitch” features. NBC’s “Magnum P.I.” called off part of the show’s fifth season, too, but the closure came before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA walk-out, and its status is in limbo and likely is being cut off from NBC, the network that gave it a safety net pickup.
Amy Hill, pictured, who was a “Magnum” recurring star for CBS’ four seasons of the procedural and also the shortened fifth season on NBC, also has been doing the “Lilo and Stitch” project, told Hawaii News Now that labor disputes no longer are surprising. “Having been in this business for a while I kind of, I’m always ready for losing a job,” said Hill. …
And that’s Show Biz. …
Eighth in a series of Broadway reports
NEW YORK — Beginning with director Harold Prince’s 1979 original, every “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” I’ve seen has been boldly different, bloody yet beguiling, and essentially stellar and memorable entertainment.
The latest, one of the best, stars Josh Groban as Todd and Annaleigh Ashford as Mrs. Lovett, is currently playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway. Directed by Thomas Kail (of “Hamiton”), it pairs two powerful, operatic-range voices, whose solos and duets elevate the Stephen Sondheim score, and heightens the ecstasy of the warped tale of a 19th century manic barber in London who’s a literal cut-throat who partners with a piemaker whose mincemeat pastry is the ultimate dessert.
The original, starring Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury, is the grandest of all, with a catwalk as part of the mammoth staging and an impressive barbershop with the requisite chair. The latest is midway in proportion and size, and the minimalist version of all featured the cast (of nine) doubling as musicians. Yep, I even remember Patti LuPone as Lovett, and she had to toot a tuba!
Annleigh Ashford is Mrs. Lovett and Josh Groban is Sweeney Todd.
The current “Todd” is appropriately shadowy and dark, mysterious and maddening, with soaring voices that brighten the experience. More than 80 per cent is sung, thus “Todd” is rightfully operatic in staging and delivery. And no denying, Tony nominee Groban is box office gold, in his second Broadway endeavor; the first was 2016’s immersive “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812,” where he also was wow and received a Tony nom.
Todd is vindictive and seeks revenge on Judge Turpin (Jamie Jackson) who got him imprisoned for 15 years and has issues with the judge’s rape of Todd’s wife and seizure of his daughter Johanna (Maria Bilbao).
Hawaii’s Ruthie Ann Miles is the Beggar Woman, nominated for a Tony.
This “Sweeney” also has an island tie: Ruthie Ann Miles, a Tony winner for her featured role in the musical, “The King and I,” is playing a secondary role, the Beggar Woman, and was nominated for a Tony in June. In her shaggy black costume and her curious notions, Miles’ Beggar Woman oozes mystery and fascination with outbursts as “Mischief! Mischief Mischief!” and questioning laments during tunes like “Johanna.” She might be shrill, but never still in her vox populi opinions.
Gaten Matarazzo, left, as the urchin Tobias, earns cheers.
And TV fans will relish the presence of “Stranger Things” star Gaten Matarazzo (as the street urchin, Tobias). He earned a few hearthrob cheers from fans.
Sondheim’s melodies and lyrics are generally challenging for actors; his tunes are not the easiest to master or perform, with lyrics that have their own rhymes. Thus breakout hits are few from a Sondheim soundtrack. However, “Johanna,” sung by the Anthony Hope character (played by Daniel Yearwood) is haunting and beautiful, with relevance outside of the play. Hope is smitten with Johanna, the ward of Judge Turpin, and the tune’s mood-shaping grace finds a place in both Acts 1 and 2.
For the squeamish, a cautionary note: There are repeating scenes of the barber’s razor, slashing throats of victims. These acts are relevant to the story, and that’s why “Sweeney Todd” is bloody good. …
And that’s Show Biz. …
‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
‘“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” is a musical by Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics), with book by Hugh Wheeler, adapted by Christopher Bond, directed by Thomas Kail, choreographed by Steven Hoggett
Playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway
Portraying a fictional Doctah Frank, comedian Frank DeLima made a rare appearance at MW Restaurant to deliver a musical parody honoring Dr. Thomas Kosasa Saturday night (July 8).
About 110 guests – many of Kosasa’s clients whose bebes he delivered over a span of 50 years, as well as the doc’s medical peers — attended the event, belatedly marking”10,000+2” infants delivered by Kosasa.
Doctah Frank DeLima, in doctor mode.
Kosasa, with Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, is a longtime OBGYN specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.
DeLima, a comedian whose specialty includes creating musical parodies, was commissioned by Cha Thompson, a family friend of Dr. Kosasa and his wife Mi, to appear as a faux doc to deliver a brief musical parody about the real doctor’s milestone baby deliveries. It was a one-in-a-lifetime gift – immortalized on a formal video but delivered live with DeLima in doctor gear, singing the parody to Kosasa to the tune of “Mr. Sandman,” the tune by The Chordettes.
In Doctah Frank’s version, there’s localized and pidginized lyrics to salute Dr. Thomas on his stunning ongoing mission in delivering keiki.
There was name-dropping – bebes with eyes like Genoa Keawe, a warm heart like Jimmy Borges, and wavy hair like Jason Momoa – to reflect the island spirit.
“Tom was definitely surprised and happy!,” said Mi Kosasa. “I never saw him smile so much.”
Three years ago, Dr. Kosasa (pictured) delivered his 10,000th infant. At that time, Jerry Wu hosted a party honoring him at MW’s original restaurant on Kapiolani Boulevard.
So why a shebang now?
“This past February, Tom delivered Jerry’s only son, L. Tristan,” said Mi. (Mom is Renee Tan). “And last September, Tom delivered Michelle and Wade Ueoka’s (chef-owners of the MW of the eatery) only child, a son named Ryeland. And since MW is Jerry’s and our favorite restaurant, Jerry wanted (the party) at MW’s new location at Kapiolani and Ward Avenue.”
Among those at the party – again hosted by Wu — was a Kosasa friend who flew to Hawaii from Budapest, since she had three infants delivered by Dr. Kosasa. Other out-of-towners came from Tokyo, Korea and Las Vegas.
A “Top Gun” motif was the evening’s theme, with many donning gear relating to Tom Cruise’s film, and all attendees received aviator glasses donated by Brad Nicolai, who unfortunately couldn’t attend.
MW shut down the restaurant for the evening, using the main dining room as a cocktail lounge and utilized the adjacent Bentley Room – with vehicles relocated to create dining space – for a lavish, sumptuous dinner.
Brian Chang and Mike Ching entertained for five hours, with dancing closing the evening.
DeLima put his heart and soul into the parody, a rare one-time-only performance of the song. He spent two weeks honing the number. “I did 10 takes to finally get it right,” he said of the final video he recorded, a copy of which has been presented to Kosasa. “I think Dr. Thomas loved it,” he said of his performance. “He was smiling through it.”
Because July 8 was DeLima’s birthday, the party guests sang “Happy Birthday” to him.
A video of DeLima in his doctor guise is shared on my Facebook page; if you choose to view it, it would be a great gesture to make a donation to DeLima’s ongoing Student Enrichment Program, where he annually stages inspirational sessions with public and private school students …
And that’s Show Biz. …