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Just asking…
If Consolidated Theatres show an on-screen commercial about Coke Zero, aka Zero Sugar Coke, wouldn’t you think that they should stock that Coca-Cola product at their refreshment counters at all theaters?
I can order and receive Coke Zero at the Koko Marina theater, with no problem; but at Kahala and Ward Center, they don’t serve this particular choice.
When you nestle into your seat, the Coke Zero advertisement is screened. Regularly.
Coke’s wasting its ad dollars, don’tcha think?
The Phantom in “The Phantom of the Opera” isn’t the only one donning masks on Broadway.
The Broadway League has just extended the facemask requirement, through June 30, because New York’s COVID-19 alert level has escalated to “high,”despite New York Eric Adams, mayor of New York, just saying that “we are not at the point of mandating masks,” a few days ago.
The cautionary adjustment for mask-wearing applies to indoor settings, which, of course, includes play-going on Broadway.
Among the Broadway community, the mask requirement will be monitored in the weeks ahead, but the possibility of extending the rule till July, or even later, could happen, depending on the pandemic temperature.
Masks on Broadway have been required since theaters reopened last year; the protocol on proof of vaccination has been removed, like in most communities.
So if you’re heading to Broadway, masks still matter, so bring and wear your masks that cover your noses and mouths. Unlike the Phantom’s, which covers half his face. Oh, the latest actor playing the Phantom is Ben Crawford. …
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Here, there, everywhere…
Ryan Tedder, lead singer of OneRepublic, was spotted at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The group has been in town for a private concert at the Four Seasons resort at Ko Olina.. The band’s “I Ain’t Worried” tune is in the soundtrack of the Tom Cruise “Top Gun: Maverick” blockbuster, which certainly must be a career boost. …
Brother Noland and Tavana will share the spotlight in a show at 4 p.m. June 25 at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel on the Big Island. Tickets: $35 general, $60VIP, at www.hawaiistars.com …
Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, formerly The Young Rascals, will give six performances at 6:30 and 9 p.m. June 10, 11 and 12 at Blue Note Hawaii. Presume the repertoire will be loaded with flashback Rascals hit, including “My Hawaii,” a fave back in the day that originally featured the voice of Eddie Brigati. Other hits: “Groovin’,” “Good Lovin’,” “How Can I Be Sure,” “It’s a Beautiful Mornin’,” and “People Got to be Free.” Tickets: $45, loge and bar area; $55, premium seating; at www.bluenotehawaii.com or (808) 777-4890…
And that’s Show Biz. …
It’s official: Summer officially has begun, with all the right elements: a stellar story, hypnotic air flights and fights, and the key ingredient named Tom Cruise.
The fact that “Top Gun: Maverick” is a sequel of a film from 30 years ago, when Cruise first took on Pete “Maverick” Mitchell … somewhat astonishing. And then the pandemic stalled the release of “Maverick” for nearly three years … something frustrating.
But the delay heightened anticipation and expanded expectation and the Memorial Day weekend turned out to be the perfect moment to welcome “Top Gun,” which raked in a $100 million three-day gross, which, if international box office is added, meant a $248 million global tally. With today’s Memorial Day (May 30) holiday, another $50 million could be added to the explosive total.
The alignment of the delay, the performance of Cruise as the cocky but dependable fighter pilot-turned-mentor, and the public’s eagerness to see the aerial dynamics in movie theaters (which has struggled to fill seats till now) meant the stars were aligned in filmland.
Wow.
The plot was somewhat predictable, but there are surprises: generals make mistakes, mavericks take chances, a few original characters return, old wounds are resolved, a romantic bond is sealed, and Lady Gaga seals the deal with her end-titles ballad, “Hold My Hand,”
uplifting the soundtrack as folks exit the theaters. Gage’s composing collaborators are Harold Faltermeyer and Hans Zimmer. Clearly, it’s headed to No. 1 and will be an Oscar song contender next year.
It’s fun to know and hear the “handles” of the military mights: Maverick, Iceman, Rooster, Cyclone, Fanboy, Hangman, Coyote, etc.
And here’s a rarity just might increase: Cruise welcomes fans prior to the film, in a tack-on video akin to a handshake (Benedict Cumberbatch did a similar clip prior to his “Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness “sequel earlier). Could more actors and films adopt this policy? …
Elton John doc due on Disney+
A documentary on superstar Elton John is due from Disney Original Documentary and Disney+.
Deadline reports that the doc, entitled “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: The Final Elton John Performances and the Years. That Made His Legend.”
Yes, it’s a mouthful. But John has been a musical figure not wholly represented in films. The thrust of the doc will be John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour,” when he spent months on tour, culminating in a November gig at Dodger Stadium that will cap his final North American show.
Unseen footage of his 50-year global success will provide essential videos of John earlier in his career, when his shows included lavish costumes and spectacles that reflected his charismatic flamboyancy.
“Rocketman,” the 2019 biography with Taron Egerton as John, explored his life but lacked theatrical vigor since the performance factor fell short; there was no soaring climactic fervor like the “We Will Rock You” finale with Rami Malek as Freddy Mercury in the Queen biopic, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” …
And that’s Show Biz. …
Jesse Shiroma, accordionist for Streetlight Cadence, is on leave from the group for academic reasons.
Shiroma is focusing on a master’s degree, so his latest status is that of a student at the University of Hawaii. Which means no more regular SLC gigs for a while.
“I have definitely returned to being a student and my long-term plans are to pursue a music librarianship with a focus on indigenous preservation and advocacy,” Shiroma said in an email. “Ideally, I can find some balance in that and return to a more regular live musical performance schedule as well. A man can dream, ha-ha!”
Shiroma’s absence was clearly, or perhaps dimly, visible in Streetlight Cadence’s recent “A Lightbulb Concerto” posting on YouTube. His colleagues Jonathan Franklin performed on violin, Brian Webb on cello, and Ben Chai on banjo, with friend Clara Stegall guesting on guitar, as mentioned in this column here.
So Shiroma shed light on his latest journey, but admitted that he intends to hang with his buddies when they’re in town. Should be later this year, when Streetlight Cadence performs in the Waikiki Aquarium’s “Ke Kani O Ke Kai Series,” in August.
Surely, Shiroma will bring his newfangled accordion with him, not the classic of yesteryear. …
No doubt, it’s sad
“Mrs. Doubtfire,” the new musical based on the popular film starring Robin Williams, will close on Broadway May 29 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. A bit of Hawaii will also be shuttering.
It was a record-breaker, with hot box office sales, when it premiered at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre during the 2019 holiday season, prompting a move to Broadway.
The island element is that “Mrs. Doubtfire” was produced by Hawaii’s Kevin McCollum, whose earlier hits on the Great White Way included “Rent,” “Avenue Q” and “Something Rotten.”
Something rotten called COVID happened, impacting the Broadway marketplace, when “Doubtfire” began previews in March 2020, and had to be shut down due to the pandemic, resuming performances in Oct.21, only to be shuttered again in January 2022. The show reopened again on April 14 but will lower its curtains for good on May 29.
McCollum has said in Broadway media, “Even though New York City is getting stronger every day and ticket sales are slowly improving, theater-going tourists and, especially for our show, family audiences have not returned as soon as we anticipated.”
Much like some theatrical films, adult and family audiences have shown some reluctance in returning to the theater, unless it’s a Marvel adventure.
Some good news: “Mrs. Doubtfire” is set to premiere in London this fall, with a national U.S. tour scheduled for 2023. Unless the economic crisis in the U.K. and in the U.S. improves, box office response could become an issue, too. …
Musical notes
Ho‘okena, featuring Horace Dudoit III, Chris Kamaka and Glenn Smith, will showcase its award-winning Hawaiian music, at 6:30 p.m. today (May 25) at the Plumeria Beachhouse at the Kahala Hotel. Seating starts at 5:30 p.m.; reservations may be made via Open Table. …
The Stephen Inglis Project, with guest artist David Gans, will be featured at 7 p.m. Saturday (May 28) at Slack Key Lounge, at Hawaiian Brian’s on Kapiolani Boulevard. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; a $15 cover is in place.
Inglis will share some originals, with his pendulum swinging from Dylan to the Grateful Dead. Gans is expected to showcase his finger-picking style, on ballads, some rock, fueled with improv and surprises. …
And that’s Show Biz. …