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‘MAYBE’S’ CRISS LEAVING, RETURNING

Darren Criss, the  first Asian American to win a Tony Award for a Leading Actor in a Musical for “Maybe Happy Ending,” will take a leave of absence from the musical after Aug. 31, but will resume his role in the fall.

It was previously announced that Andrew Barth Feldman would replace Criss,  who became the first Asian American axctor to win the Tony. Criss is part Filipino and has Honolulu ties. Feldman is white – cause of the concern from some critics sinnce there’s a scarcity of Asian roles for actors.

Darren Criss

But because Criss also is a co-producer of the Korean musical, it was simple to resolve the controversy, by proclaiming his nine-weak leave will be temporary, and that he will return to the show on Nov. 5.

The Broadway cast features Helen J Shen and Criss starring as, respectively, Claire and Oliver, South Korea-based Helperbots deemed obsolete. The pair form an unlikely bond, setting off a surprising and romantic adventure,  earning its Best Musical laurels earlier this year.

Several Hawaii actors remember that Criss attended a local school, and thus qualifies as an island-winner of two Tonys this year, one for his acting, and the other for his producing…

‘Hamilton’ reclaims No. 1 spot on weekly grosses

“Hamilton,” celebrating its 10th anniversary, surged back to No. 1, earning $2.197 million.

Which means “Wicked,” which has regularly ruled the charts, dipped to No. 2.

“The Lion King,” a dependable player week after week, found itself in the No 3 slot.

And “Gypsy,” in its closing week, logged its best numbers, claiming the No. 4 position, its best week of a challenging season.

The Top 10:

1—”Hamilton,” $2.197 million

2—”Wicked,” $2.018 million

3—”The Lion King,” $1.948 million

4—”Gypsy,” $1.607 million

5—”Mamma Mia!,” $1.606 million

6—”Maybe Happy Ending,” $1.373 million

7—”Just In Time,” $1.293 million

8—”Aladdin,”  $1.273 million

9—”Death Becomes Her,” $1.238 million

10—”MJ the Musical,” $1.228 million

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…

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ZIPPY’S KAHALA PLANS RENOVATIONS

The Zippy’s at Kahala will be shutting down, likely by year’s end or early next year, for renovations.

The Kahala waitstaff will be diverted to other branches,  surely an inconvenience.

The closure, said one waitress, will last for about three months, which means us East Siders now may have to drive to the Makiki branch of Zippy’s for a sit-down meal and chat-chat. This one’s brighter and larger than the branch in-between Zippy’s offices on King Street and Washington Middle School.

Meanwhile, the rumors persist that Zippy’s Koko Marina take-out could be shuttered like the already closed dining room…

Red velvet ice cream

It may take me quite a spell, but I’m trying to order a different ice cream flavor at each visit to Hammond’s at the Koko Marina Center.

Latest joy: Red velvet cake, mixed with vanilla ice cream.

Always loved the red velvet dessert cake (not widely available these days), so naturally, found this choice perfect for a warm afternoon treat…

Bedbugs found at Ala Moana Center food court

Why is the Ala Moana Center food court closed, you ask?

A very good reason:  It’s shut down due to bed bug infiltration.

No reopening date yet, but they’d better thoroughly spray those antiquated seats and backboards…

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KEVIN RECORDS 1ST YULE SINGLE

Singer Kevin I. has recorded his first-ever Christmas tune, “Christmas in Our Hearts.” It will be available for purchase and enjoyment in November. So yuletiders – patience is the buzz word now.

Kevin was in town last week, to complete the vocal works on the tune, at David Kauahikaua’s home studio in Kailua.

“It was so great to see and catch up with David,” said Kevin, about the savvy engineer who is notable as the magician behind a cluster of island singers  over the decades.

Kevin I., recording his Christmas single at David Kauahikaua’s home studio.

It was Kevin’s first time working with Kauahikaua, but as he said, “I’ve always respected and admired his work especially with Loyal Garner. We reminisced about Loyal and shared some mutual memories. As you know she had a big influence on me.”

Kauahikaua  has been the marvelous and notable force behind Frank DeLima’s parodies over the past decades.  As a member of Na Kolohe, Kauahikaua was DeLima’s keyboarder (Bobby Nishida was the guitarist)  who toiled on the comedian’s parodies, like the recent “Gridlock” tune.

Kevin, of course, is the balladeer from the 1980s. He shelved his music career and opted to take on — successfully — a career in the business community. So he has been like a dormant volcano, idle and quiet over 30+ years.

But his vintage music, mostly available on vinyl in his prime as an island singer, has become a global sensation, triggering his return to the studios with a few new tunes aimed at younger fans tuning in to his romantic ballads. These fans fueled the popularity of his songs on the Spotify charts.

He retired from his fulltime business career and clearly, there were enough sparks to revisit his stint in music.

So stay tuned; I’ve heard the new tracks that will comprise his five-song EP release, dubbed “My Continuum.” which will be available in October.

Cover of Kevin Il’s forthcoming EP release.

He hopes the fresh ballads will make him radio-active again, not just in Hawaii, but with his international followers on social media.

But “My Continuum” is not a comeback entity; it’s more like a continuation of Kevin I.’s ]musical journey,

Restaurants are becoming familiar with him, too, since he’s been back and forth for numeral times for meet-and-eat sessions.

“Food was a big part of the adventure—I made sure to get my misoyaki butterfish fix at multiple spots,” said Kevin.

He made multiple treks to Kailua for reunion sessions, including a gathering with his fellow University of Hawaii TIM Alumni Assn. board members including Clyde Min and his wife Hilda. They dined at Faria, a Portuguese eatery.

He met friends and family members for breakfast at Tanaka Saimin, the Iwilei eatery, where he tried the Japanese breakfast, once suggested by Ledward Kaapana.

He also shared a meal with Mimi Sugane, his singing partner when they performed at La Mancha, and they had a phone chat with their group leader, Ron Miyashiro, who no longer is able of meal outings.

The parade of longtime pals included Sandy Tsukiyama, Rachel Gonzales, and his producer-singer-composer Lance Jyo and his wife. Jyo is supervising Kevin’s forthcoming releases, including the new yuletide tune.

I also met Kevin at Zippy’s Kahala, and he has frequented Zippy’s too, along with restaurants like Mililani Korean BBQ, Yagura the Japanese restaurant in Liliha, Koa Pancake House in Kaimuki, Mr. Ojisan Neo in McCully,  and Liliha Bakery at Ala Moana Center.

“Of course, no trip is complete without malasadas from Leonard’s,” he said…

And that’s Show Biz…

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BELATED ‘GRIDLOCK’ FROM DELIMA

So Frank DeLima is  now ensconced in a Las Vegas senior facility.

But being away and afar doesn’t mean that comedian is idle and silent.

He just shared his latest parody, “Gridlock,” about the jammed highways and byways during the tsunami alert in Hawaii.

Frank D

He heard about the gridlock on our roads. He smartly sorted out the possible melodies and selected The Drifters’ “Under the Boardwalk” to shape his parody with the recurring lyric, “Stuck in the gridlock.”

And proceeded to describe the situation, where roadways became a parking stall, like all the way to Kahala Mall. And working in the human humor element, “I have to go the bathroom…”

OK, he was a few weeks tardy in delivering the tune. Never mind; it’s still a comedic flashback to the few hours of agony while Hawaii waited for the waves that never came.

And happily, DeLima’s video savior is David Kauahikaua, former Na Kolohe backup musician. “ I record (his video) on my phone and email to him.  He does the magic.”

To view the video, go to my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wayne.harada.5

So how is DeLima faring, as a Las Vegan? Some notes::.

  • He’s doing well. “Since I been here, I have been trying to fix my body; six  different doctors are working to make me better;   I go on the average once a week to doctor appointments; ”
  • His regimen is working. “I am walking 40 minutes a day, up and down the long hallways of this senior housing; there’s climate control.  Perfect all year round.; I got a shot in my lower back and it worked. Now I get up in the morning and no sore. Yeh!!!!!”
  • He’s open to part-time work. “Now that I’m living in Vegas, I can perform for class reunions;  anyone interested should email me (frankdelima@hotmail.com)  and I can take it from there.” He’s contemplating possible banquet shows bookings for islanders at the California Hotel Ohana Room…
  • And that’s Show Biz…