Maggie Q, the actress from Hawaii, portrays the title figure in “The Protege,” opening in theaters today. (Aug. 20) She is earning first-tier billing in the cast, which also stars Michael Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson, among others.
Q’s character Anna was a child in Vietnam and rescued by professional hit man Moody (Jackson), who becomes her compadre in the lucrative killing game. Anna operates an antiquarian bookshop in London, frequented by customer Rembrandt (Keaton) who spouts Poe from books she retrieves from the shelves.
The Martin Campbell-directed film opens today in theaters only; it’s not among the fare destined for Netflix or HBO Max. …
Willy wows ‘em
Glad to hear that ex-Honolulan Willy Falk finally has been able to show off his pipes in New York, after a 17-month drought due to the pandemic. A Tony nominee for playing Chris in the original “Miss Saigon” on Broadway, Falk was one of a bevy of Big Apple troupers in Scott Seigel’s “Broadway Greatest Hits,”staged recently at Feinstein’s/54 Below. Marilyn Lester’s review, at www.nitelifeexchange.com, called Falk “a very bright Broadway light, (who) gave a 200-watt performance…He has a honey-smooth vocal tone and a terrific range.” Falk delivered his signature “Saigon” tune, “ “Why God, Why?,” plus “Corner of the Sky,” the anthem from “Pippin,” and “he’s never sounded better.”
Falk, a Punahou alum, has been a Blue Note Hawaii regular and is in rehearsal mode for performances aboard a Disney cruise, not yet announced. …’
No live, only virtual Hoku evening
Because of mounting health concerns, including the surge of coronavirus cases, the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts has tweaked its 44th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards and has canceled its live-with-audience event set for Sept. 11.
Instead, a combination of taped and virtual festivities will be staged, with HARA bowing to state guidelines and protocols to proceed minus a live audience.
The theme, “Ho ‘la Hou – A New Awakening,” will be retained, with the televised show set to air Oct. 7 on KFVE.
Award winners will be have to submit brief acceptance speeches which will be incorporated into the final program. …
And that’s Show Biz. …