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October 9, 2022October 9, 2022

PANDORA, SPOTIFY STILL SURPRISE KEVIN I

Kevin I., aka Kevin Iwamoto in his business-career realm, continues to receive heartening news about his 1980s recordings that have connected with a 2022 audience.

“Woke up this morning to two great emails from Pandora, a leading US music streaming platform saying that they have selected two songs from my latest release Love Songs Collection 1980-1985 (2022 Remaster) that will be added to their higher rotation playlist!,” he gleefully said via a recent Facebook post.

“That means much more streams and exposure to Pandora subscribers.”

The surge in interest in his oldies that have connected with a newbie listenership has been constantly giving him a lift in spirits, considering he’s now touring to promote his catalog of romantic ditties, recorded when he was an active balladeer in Honolulu.

“ This second release has generated more interest in my global music catalog and has boosted streaming numbers by 12,000 streams/ downloads just on Pandora with similar numbers on Spotify,” he commented. “Thank you Lord!”

Certainly, he spent time and bucks to remix, re-energize and release his original recordings, from yesteryear, not knowing what the outcome would be three decades later. You recall, too, that when he was home recently for the 50^th anniversary of his Roosevelt High School class reunion, he gifted his former classmates with a limited edition CD that contained titles that global followers have been discovering and buying online. …

The lesson here: Keep on top of your game; you never know when your career gets an unexpected reboot; taking a left turn might be the right move. Main thing, explore your options and chart your course. …

Lisa Konove reprises Ann Landers role

Honolulu actress Lisa Konove is winding up a brief run, portraying advice columnist Ann Landers, in a Beverly Arts Center run of “The Lady With All the Answers,” ending today (Oct. 9) in Chicago. It’s her acting debut in The Windy City.

Konove did the one-woman role in an earlier run at Diamond Head Theatre.

The casting was a reunion with BAC artistic director Kevin Pease, formerly of Hawaii, who directed Konove who played Jo in “Waitress” in the regional premiere of the musical. …

Ooops, a wardrobe malfunction

Nicole Scherzinger, local girl and former lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, was out and about in New York recently when s polka dot dress with ruffled sleeves slipped for a moment, creating a tad of a nipple display.

She didn’t panic, apparently, and quickly raised her off-the-shoulder sleeves to recover from the mishap. Could be some folks didn’t recognize her because she was shielded with large sunglasses and gold hoop earrings, which might have distracted would be spectators. All in a day’s outing. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

October 7, 2022October 7, 2022

NEW YORK CREDS FOR LEE CATALUNA

Kudos to playwright Lee Cataluna, who has taken a huge leap in her prolific career, and applause, too, to the New York Times to recognize and spotlight her journey as a storyteller in a community far, far away from her island roots.

Cataluna, a former journalist for the Honolulu Advertiser and now a columnist for Civil Beat, was interviewed by NYT reporter Laura Graeber, in an article published Oct. 4, that explores her storytelling skills. Cataluna’s latest play, “Heart Strings,” is in production through Oct. 23 at the Linda Gross Theater in Chelsea. It is being produced by Atlantic Theater Company as the initial Atlantic for Kids production since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.

It’s quite an achievement for Cataluna to take her play beyond the reef and across the continent. It’s also a moment for the state to support her mission — and others in her footsteps — to bring island themes and tales for audiences elsewhere to enjoy and discover.

At a time when even the Honolulu media shamefully does not acknowledge or write about local playwrights launching a play with clear Hawaiian roots, it’s an astonishing accomplishment for Cataluna to attract a New York group to stage the world premiere of “Heart Strings.”

The thread throughout her play focuses on hei, the centuries-old small-kid-time game, where a simple string or cord is the centerpiece, and game-players use their fingers to create varying triangles or rectangles and players delicately transfer the network of loops to each other. You might remember it as “Cat’s Cradle,” which has also been the name for this string game.

And, natch, batteries are not required. Simple idea, with historical roots, about everyday events or relationships, is at the core of Cataluna’s plays. Think “Folks You Meet at Long’s,” “Musubi Man,” “Home of the Brave,” “You Somebody,” “Flowers of Hawaii,” and “Extraordinary Stories for Ordinary Ohana.” Locally, her works have been staged by Kumu Kahua, Honolulu Theatre of Youth and Diamond Head Theatre. …

“Heart Strings” was intended to be staged by Iolani School actors (Cataluna previously taught there; her son remains a student there), but plans changed because of the pandemic. Who knew New York would kick off a Hawaii play? Like Kumu Kahua on steroids!

I recall when Cataluna was researching this play, seeking how-to’s of hei via Facebook. Not surprising, she got the job done — with no strings attached. She’s opened the doors for other island playwrights to attempt to get their works noticed and produced beyond the seas. …

A heavenly milestone for Bruno

So maybe now is a good time to talk about Bruno. You know, Bruno Mars, not the “Encanto” Disney Bruno.

Our local superstar now has six Diamond Single Awards, the first pop star to achieve this status. His “Locked Out of Heaven” tune has been certified Diamond, by RIAA’s Gold and Platinum Program. His earlier five Diamond hits are “Just the Way You Are,” “Grenade,” “When I Was Your Man,” “That’s What I Like,” and the collaborative “Uptown Funk” with Mark Ronson.

Way to go, Bruno! …

Sunday Manoa

Manoa Marketplace (rear area, beyond Safeway but not blocking Long’s) is undergoing renovations, so there are some concerns behind the boarded eateries and shops. I dined at Paisano one night, before taking in “Cabaret,” and navigating to the Italian restaurant was a challenge.

So folks thinking of going to Medici’s on the second floor, where the Tommy James Trio (with Dave Bixler and Dean Taba) perform on Sunday (Oct. 9), should anticipate a bit of a maze to get to the club; doors open at 5 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m.

And an update: Medici’s earlier raised its dinner-and-show prices to $75 (I had bought tickets at that price, for a postponed Shari Lynn Trio show), with meals served by waitstaff. But the return of the buffet brings down the price to $59 (partly because of patron outcries and perhaps a drop in attendees), with reimbursements to be made at the door, according to the Medici’s website. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

October 6, 2022October 10, 2022

SCHUMAN READY TO ‘BRING HIM HOME’

Does Craig Schulman, known for his role as Jean Valjean in “Les Miserables,” ever shed tears when he delivers his signature tune, “Bring Him Home”?

“Never,” he said in a phone interview from his New York home. “I have a routine that goes through my head. You have to control it (the tears).”

Schulman is heading to Honolulu for a much-delayed performance when he appears with two Broadway colleagues in “The Three Phantoms,” at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 and 2 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Hawaii Theatre. It’ll be a night of Broadway tunes from a myriad of shows, including “The Phantom of the Opera.”

Schulman, who is the producer of the event, will naturally render “Bring Him On.” So he’ll have to keep up his guard, since fans and followers often drop tears due to the emotion in the song, even out of context of “Les Miz.”

Craig Schulman, as the Phantom, himself, and Jean Valjea.

Some years ago, when he did the first national tour of “Les Miz,” he thought “Bring Him Home” might bring out the waterworks.

“At that time, my dad was having cancer surgery, and I kept that memory, which keeps me in control. But when I lost a daughter, I was having emotional pain.”

His determination to maintain discipline, so he doesn’t “lose it,” has been helpful. But there have been a few instances “when my body couldn’t keep up with my mind.”

He misses “Les Miz,” specifically, and the stage, generally.

So “Phantoms” will enable him to embrace Broadway biggies that feature a panorama of familiar tunes performed by male tenor soloists, like Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera.”

Schulman organized the concept back in 2000. The Hawaii Theatre edition — with support from Honolulu arts patron Carolyn Berry Wilson — will be the first resurrection of the show since the pandemic shut down theater everywhere. He has assembled the substantial talents of two buddies – Keith Buterbaugh and Gary Mauer, who, like Schulman, have donned the mask of the “Phantom” over the decades, as well as performed in other key leads in the Broadway repertoire.

Dan Riddle, musical director, will helm a six-piece group of island musicians for the evening.

Schulman, who has performed Valjean in previous Honolulu visits of “Les Miz,” earlier partnered with Cris Groenendaal, who played the phantom here, and Kevin Gray, who starred as Scar in “The Lion King” at Blaisdell Concert Hall, in the phantom trio portfolio. Groenendaal has retired from active singing and Gray died of a heart attack while shoveling snow at his New York home.

Collectively, the original Phantom buddies accrued an average of 20 years of Broadway experiences and performances in regional shows, opera and TV roles.

“When we do a set show, with a symphony or a six-piece orchestra, you have to stay with the script,” said Schulman about “Phantom.” “You can do some shtick, but you have to be consistent.”

The planned repertoire includes male-delivered hits from shows like “Miss Saigon,” “Guys and Dolls,” “ Annie Get Your Gun,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “South Pacific,” “Jesus Christ, Superstar” and “Damn Yankees.”

Tickets are $30 to $50, available at www.hawaiitheatre.com or by calling (808) 528-0506. During the pandemic, the theater box office is closed, so ticket access is via online or phone.

After Honolulu, the threesome will have two more “Phantom” bookings, in Muncy, Ind. But Schulman said he always keeps a stable of singers in tow, just in case. “You need to keep eight to ten people, as singers come and go. I had hoped to have Mark Jacoby aboard, but he is one of two Neil Diamond actors (the younger is Will Swenson), in the Broadway-bound ‘A Beautiful Noise’” which is launching in Boston next June before heading to New York later.

Of course, he’s open to do a legit Broadway biggie, should an opporutunity arise.

Otherwise, he said, “I still do voice-teaching. And I’m enjoying my grandchildren.”

But It’s been a frustrating past decade, for the whole theater industry. “The industry retired me, making a decision that I stop (doing traditional theater). And that makes me angry.” …

And that’s Show Biz. …

October 5, 2022October 7, 2022

CARROLL MEMORIAL ON NOV. 27

A memorial service will be held for the late Dennis Carroll, the playwright and professor emeritus at the University of Hawaii’s Department of Theatre and Dance, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 27 at Kennedy Theatre.

Though associated with UH, Carroll was founder of Kumu Kahua Theatre, which is organizing the memorial with the cooperation of UH. Nov. 25 is the first anniversary of his death; he was 81.

He nurtured and led Kumu Kahua, living his dream. Carroll was an accomplished playwright whose vision for his craft evolved into the formation of Kumu Kahua, the theater group specializing in works with island themes written by folks who share the same focus and staged with actors enacting tales of the Hawaii experience.

Submissions for inclusion in the event – photos, tributes, video – are sought, from now through Nov. 1. To upload submissions, visit Photos & Tributes for Dr. Dennis Carroll .

Following the memorial, a reception will be held in the Upper Lanai of Kennedy Theatre..
“Dr. Dennis Carroll was a tremendous friend, colleague, mentor, and educator. The impact of his legacy will long be felt throughout the halls and hearts of this campus and the extended community,” said Tammy Haili‘ōpua Baker.

“Kumu Kahua is at its core a playwright’s theater—reflecting Dennis’ passion for our
tremendous local playwrights that share the voices of our community and the cultures reflected here,” said the theater’s artistic director Harry Wong III. …

Postscript on the Wolfe firing/reinstatement

Rick Chong, chair of the board of directors at Diamond Head Theatre, has shed light on the way costume designer Karen G. Wolfe was terminated, then reinstated. Turns out there were vague decisions about retirement, resignation and reinstatement, on both sides of the coin. And mind-changing on her part didn’t help.

An in-house letter, shared with me, clarifies some of the issues surrounding Wolfe’s standing. Chong shed light on the hitherto not mentioned fact that Wolfe initiated her exit by submitting a letter of intention to resign last February, prior to the opening of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

“She was never asked to resign; she verbally submitted her resignation,” said Chong in the memo.

Subsequently, Wolfe had discussions with her supervisor and “she agreed to delay her resignation until the closing of ‘Anything Goes,’ which would also coincide with the closing of the old theater. By that time, however, steps had been taken to recruit and hire for her replacement to plan for the changes that her departure would necessitate,” said Chong.

In August, she sought to extend her retirement until the opening of “Cinderella” (next January).

Separately, Wolfe has said via Facebook that she was back is in the saddle, on the timetable she requested. Curiously, Chong’s memo said “DHT has agreed to extend Karen’s employment to the opening of ‘Cinderella’ (next January) as Karen requested; however she has declined that offer.”

So: don’t know if all that rallying for her to maintain her role is over.

There’s encouragement, however, in Chong’s declaration that “Karen has expressed interest in still returning as a guest Costume Designer for future shows so it’s our hope that she will continue to be able to offer her creative talents and artistic touch for many shows in the future.”

Sounds like an encouraging e-handshake. After all, no one – surely, not DHT –disputes Wolfe’s long years of dedicated service and creative costuming. …

Broadway grosses, week ending Oct. 2

Maybe Broadway is returning to the pre-pandemic times, with folks flocking back to the theater again.

The top three grossers remain the same: No. 1, “The Music Man,” with $2.794 million; No. 2, “Hamilton,” with $1.913 million; and No. 3, with “MJ the Musical,” with $1.728 million.

The next leaders are: No. 4, “Funny Girl,” with $1.638 million; No. 5, “The Lion King,” with $1.573 million; No. 6, “The Phantom of the Opera,” with $1.331 million (picking up support since it announced its closing in February, 2023, after a 30-year run); and No, 7, “Wicked,” with $1.328 million.

The compilation, courtesy The Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz. …

October 4, 2022October 4, 2022

A ‘HOCUS POCUS’ TUNE-UP ON BWAY?

The Sanderson Sisters – that would be Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy – apparently may be singing and heading to Broadway.

The trio, a hit in the 1993 fantasy horror film, currently appear in a streamer, “Hocus Pocus 2,” airing on Disney+.

Though the crystal ball suggests that the witches are likely to return again in another venue, the Broadway stage sometime soon, you gotta wonder why.

No. 2 is cute and funny, but not the treat audiences will relish. In case you missed No. 1, there’s a prologue about the Sanderson Sisters as teens, so it seemed nearly forever for the “modern” elderly trio to fly in.

Why would “Hocus Pocus” make the Broadway jump? Could be partly because Midler, who used to be the Divine Miss M in earlier times, did great box office when she was Dolly Levi, in the reboot of “Hello, Dolly” two seasons ago. And she loves Halloween, based on the fact that her annual fundraiser called Hulaween is always on her agenda. The play on hula, of course, is to reinforce her Hawaiian roots.

But getting back to “Hocus Pocus, the Musical” – the tune-up apparently has been under wraps, according to David Kirshner, a producer in the franchise. It might have happened earlier, but COVID-19 swooshed it from the front on the stove to the back burner. So the film sequel must’ve been in the works, and beat the stage version to the cauldron.

The plans for the Broadway vehicle were revealed on the Broadway Podcast Network’s “The Art of Kindness.”

Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy in “Hocus Pocus 2.”

Of course, it would be a treat to reunite Midler, Parker and Najimy for one more flight on the broom. All have experience on the Great White Way, and the dealmaker would be if the producers can corral the threesome one more time. The trio delivered a couple of tunes – the best was “One Way or Another” – in “Hocus 2.”

But on Broadway, if there’s no Midler, there’d be no musical.

As for the streaming film: it’s Disney fluff mainly for the kids. The timeline is 2022, compared to the 1990 Salem in the original flick, and overall, it’s lame lunacy.

The revelation about a stage musical was made on Broadway Podcast Network’s “The Art of Kindness,” several days ago.

The stagecraft of giddy witches with spells that can spook, could work, but it’s got to have elements beyond shtick, considering Broadway tariffs. . And the modern times require updated apothecary surprises; No. 2 involves glowing powers, plus a wild, bewitching romp through a Walgreen’s store.

If a cast, composer, choreographer and director can be inked – and able to lure Midler, Parker and Najimy to frolic in a new Salem populated by dancing and prancing townsfolk – the show could evolve into a Halloween tradition on Broadway …

‘Magnum’ transfer includes two seasons

“Magnum P.I.” currently is filming in Hawaii, under new alphabetical bosses: NBC instead of CBS.

And looks like Jay Hernandez and Perdita Weeks, will have a second season after this one to work out romantic issues.

Perdita Weeks and Jay Hernandez, in “Magnum P.I.”

That’s the outlook. Ten shows this year, ten more next year.

Reasons CBS pulled the plug after season four include a hefty audience base of 8 million viewers in the earlier years, shrinking to 6 million during the fourth year, plus a lack of Emmy nominations and wins (none). Ultimately, contractual conflicts with Universal, which produced the procedural, led to the downfall for the cancellation.

So “Magnum” has 20 episodes to reassess and ramp up the numbers….and hope for louder outcry from fans which helped give the show another chance. …

And that’s Show Biz. …