The playbill is back! Hooray! Cheers! Finally!
Diamond Head Theatre’s rescheduled “Oliver!,” which opened Oct. 22 minus fanfare, has an actual print stage program for the first time in these pandemic days.
About time!
I’ve yet to see the Lionel Bart musical, since the show was “sold out” because of social distancing concerns. When an extra week was added, I was able to secure tickets for Nov. 3.
The playbill is part of the theater-going community; it is an informational and instructive tool for show-goers, because it properly gives credit and identity to those on stage and off who helped mount the production. With the coronavirus restrictions, the invaluable keepsake – not just for the actors and musicians, but anyone involved in designing and mounting sets and props –was not available as a take-home memorabilia for patrons.
As I’ve advocated in the recent past, the lack of a playbill for the earlier “A Chorus Line” was kind of an affront for the performing and techie teams – a missed opportunity to salute the singing and dancing soldiers, in a time that we all needed that escape from the health crisis. Betcha you still don’t know all the troupers in that marvelous mounting of a beloved favorite.
So, to DHT — redemption! Onward, in this slow and tedious road to the normality of the past. …
Over at Manoa Valley Theatre, where “Be More Chill” suffered the same lack of a playbill, there was no physical program to take home . The sad news: MVT doesn’t expect to resurrect the playbill for its upcoming “The Joy Luck Club,” running Nov. 26 through Dec. 12. If plans change, we’ll let you know.
But the good news: all seats will be sold with the loosening of COVID restrictions.
Bravo! …
Show biz at sea
In a Facebook posting, Honolulu’s Tricia Marciel states, “We are just a couple of weeks away from officially launching the inaugural voyage of the Enchanted Princess and dress runs are in full swing.” Not certain where this cruise is destined but it’s truly a busy-happy time for the entertainer. “It’s hard not to feel emotional when I see the hard work, commitment and love on display every day from my castmates. You are superstars and the time to shine is sooo close!” …
Marciel, a familiar face and voice in Broadway shows, was last seen locally in Diamond Head Theatre’s “Shout! The Musical,” I believe. …
Itemizations
Robert Cazimero’s November “Full Moon” concert will be Nov. 11 at Chef Chai’s. The $95 tariff includes dinner and the show, with a pair of hula dancers joining Cazimero. …
“”Coyote Creek Christmas,” a Hallmark Channel Christmas feature, will be a nice birthday gift for actress Janell Parrish of Honolulu. The rom-com premieres today (Oct. 30), which happens to be Parrish’s birthday. …
And that’s Show Biz …