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By the time you read this, Shari Lynn and husband Michael Acebedo will be sailing to Bermuda, to continue their vacation and their delayed (the pandemic, of course) wedding anniversary celebration.

They were in New York, getting their deli fix, and mixing in Broadway shows and visits with friends in a decidedly saner and more relaxing tempo. No more jamming and cramming the agenda, like the old days.

She emailed, sharing some of their experiences, and took in the revival of “Funny Girl,” the show about Fannie Brice that made Barbra Streisand a certified star. “Beanie (Feldstein), the newbie Brice, was out at the performance the Acebedos took in, but “her understudy, Julie Benko, was sensational,” said Shari. It’s a role I believe Shari played at Diamond Head Theatre, back in the day, so there was keen interest in catching this new version.

But oy vey, when Shari caught “Company,” she said, but “Guess what? Patti (Lupone) was out.  Jennifer Simard (a Tony nominee) donned a black wig and did justice to ‘Ladies Who Lunch.’ But for me, Elaine Stritch owns that song. The overall production was so well done.”

They attended “Paradise Square,” too, which she said was “simultaneously thrilling and educational. The Kailuans were to see Billy Crystal in “Mr. Saturday Night,” but she didn’t mention it.

But smart cookies: the Acebedos ventured to the theaters at Lincoln Center and saw “Top Gun.” Yep, enjoyed it, like everyone else. “If you like action and Tom Cruise, it’s unbeatable,” she said. …

Settle-ing for ‘Beanstalk’

Keala Settle, a native of Hawaii (Kahuku), will do her first-ever pantomime role over the holidays, in Britain.

She’ll appear as the Fairy, in “Jack and the Beanstalk,” a Christmas-time presentation by Royal & Derngate in Northampton, London.

In this country, Settle is widely known as the Bearded Lady in Hugh Jackman’s cinematic hit, “The Greatest Showman,” because she delivered that whoppingly powerful rock ballad, “This Is Me,” a declaration of acceptance, no matter who or what you are.

“Jack and the Beanstalk” will run from Dec. 9 through Jan. 2, 2023.

The cast will feature Alex Lodge as Jack and Bob Golding as Dame.

Settle made her West End theatrical debut when she was part of the “& Juliet” cast which was followed by the revival of “Sister Act,” for the Brit theater-goers.“ Panto(mime) is such a beloved institution in this country and I have always wanted to be a part of one,” said Settle, hoping that the panto “Jack” will be “an incredible experience.” …

And that’s Show Biz. …

Dwayne Johnson, one of the reigning box office champs, has confirmed that he will be in Hawaii to attend the XFL showcase here. Which means he’ll be returning to his high school, McKinley, on June 25, when the XFL does its island festivities.

XFL – the acronym for X-treme Football League – enables prospective football players an opportunity to strut their skills for prevailing XFL coaches and personnel directors, evaluating performances that might lead to a draft pool for the 2023 football season.

Johnson, the former wrestler and now a first-team favorite in action films, has been confirmed in an online post that he was “flying in personally to watch our showcase in Hawaii.”

The showcases will be conducted in six U.S. cities, beginning today (June 17).

In Honolulu, the XFL will conduct its search June 25 at McKinley, where Johnson, aka The Rock, attended in the late 1980s, for his freshman and sophomore years.

Not one to hide his feelings and support, it’s quite likely that Johnson will cheer on anyone he favors, which might at least open a door to a possible football career for prospective athletes. Johnson himself had a brief collegiate football op, which fizzled out, so he targeted his energy and interest in wrestling.

Clearly, he should have no regrets. His moviedom success has been extraordinary, and his next superhero film, Warner Bros./New Line DC’s “Black Adam,” premieres Oct. 21. …

‘Wildest Show’ at the zoo

“Wildest Show,” without its prior full title with “in Town,” returns for its summer run beginning June 29 at the Honolulu Zoo.

The event for decades was organized and directed by Roy Sakuma, the veteran ukulele whiz and teacher for thousands of kids. He has retired, but the event has retained its mid-week Wednesday-at-dusk scheduling, with a new tagline, “Tropical Wednesdays,” and fewer evenings.

Angela Morales, of Na Leo Pilimehana, will serve as emcee, and the agenda will continue to include festivities for keiki, food, and weekly drawings for an ukulele.

The schedule:

• June 29, Maunalua.
• July 6, Robi Kahakalau.
• July 13, Pure Heart, reunited Jake Shimabukuro, John Yamasato and  Lopaka Colon.
• July 20, The Makaha Sons.
• July 27, Amy Hanaiali‘i.

Gates open at 4:30 p.m., with entertainment from 5 p.m.

Admission: $15, general; $10, Honolulu Zoo Society members, $5 for youths 3 to 12.

Information: www.honoluluzoo.org

Broadway grosses, week ending June 12t

The leaders still are “The Music Man,” “Hamilton” and “The Lion King,” for the week ending June 12. Next week’s tally, from the Broadway League, might show a bump up for Tony-winning shows like “A Strange Loop” and “MJ The Musical” and “Six.”   Here’s the latest rundown:

Show Name	Gross	TotalAttn	Capacity	%Capacity
A STRANGE LOOP	$676,315.50	6,249	6,384	97.89%
ALADDIN	$1,273,005.65	13,159	13,816	95.24%
AMERICAN BUFFALO	$460,041.96	4,478	6,008	74.53%
BEETLEJUICE	$1,160,587.50	9,870	12,816	77.01%
CHICAGO	$548,919.39	6,155	8,640	71.24%
COME FROM AWAY	$592,763.50	6,425	8,368	76.78%
COMPANY	$640,297.03	6,195	8,368	74.03%
DEAR EVAN HANSEN	$587,266.80	6,193	7,872	78.67%
FUNNY GIRL	$1,116,695.25	8,379	9,752	85.92%
GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY	$274,733.50	3,582	5,586	64.12%
HADESTOWN	$878,292.75	7,243	7,344	98.62%
HAMILTON	$2,190,665.00	10,241	10,592	96.69%
HANGMEN	$293,491.36	3,196	6,416	49.81%
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD	$1,481,217.40	12,003	12,976	92.50%
HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE	$288,289.00	4,054	4,459	90.92%
MACBETH	$909,344.00	6,336	7,357	86.12%
MJ THE MUSICAL	$1,444,056.60	10,666	11,096	96.12%
MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL	$1,235,273.70	10,111	10,400	97.22%
MR. SATURDAY NIGHT	$848,030.00	6,468	8,316	77.78%
PARADISE SQUARE	$263,146.50	4,722	7,856	60.11%
PLAZA SUITE	$1,708,386.60	7,783	7,800	99.78%
POTUS: OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE	$478,971.75	5,899	11,608	50.82%
SIX	$1,116,564.00	7,155	7,217	99.14%
TAKE ME OUT	$717,419.65	4,630	4,648	99.61%
THE BOOK OF MORMON	$1,003,363.50	8,060	8,528	94.51%
THE LION KING	$1,951,072.00	13,374	13,568	98.57%
THE MINUTES	$280,802.00	3,178	5,336	59.56%
THE MUSIC MAN	$3,411,384.96	12,267	12,200	100.55%
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA	$965,649.70	10,363	12,840	80.71%
TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL	$931,804.00	7,857	11,824	66.45%
WICKED	$1,861,096.00	14,273	14,456

And that’s Show Biz. …

With production under way, for its second season, “Doogie Kamealoha, M.C.” is welcoming a new cast regular.

He is  Milo Manheim, who will portray Nico, a street smart teen who has been in and out of hospitals for years, according to Disney+, show creator. Nico thus lives his life on the edge, likely providing some tense moments. His fans will know him from Disney Channel’s “Zombies” series.

Because of online pics of Manheim asclosetothis to “Doogie” star Peyton Elizabeth Lee, rumors are circulating that they’re an “item.” Hmmmm, we’ll have to see.

Meanwhile, since “Doogie” is in the midst of filming 10 episodes through August, there’s ample time to check the temperature of the Manheim/Lee relationship. …

Speaking of “Doogie”

If you are a Hawaii or Alaska student, interested in acting or anticipate submitting a short film in the Future Filmmakers Contest in the near future, you are invited to sign up for a free summertime workshop, with the aforementioned “Doogie” star Lee among the session leaders.

The Hawaii International Festival is presenting free virtual workshops for interested youth filmmakers in grades 6 through 12.

Two Saturday workshops are scheduled:

• Session 1: Alika Tengan, July 16, from noon to 2 p.m. Hawaii time and from 2 to 4 p.m. Alaska time. He  is the director of “Everyday in Kaimuki.”

• Session 2:  Peyton Elizabeth Lee, July 23, from 1 to 2 p.m. Hawaii time and from 3 to 4 p.m. Alaska time. She is the “Doogie” star in the Disney+ streaming series.

To register, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHnUO35ZVPU__5LQ0AZRjU2J-OJFYAS4juvnMO9cRUXL2ogQ/viewform

For more information, including submission deadlines for entries, visit: https://hiff.org/futurefilmmakers

Short film submissions must be submitted by Sept. 23, visit  filmfreeway.com/hiff under the “Future Filmmakers category.”…

Understudies matter

Oh, no; a day after performing on Sunday’s Tony Awards show originating from Radio City

Music Hall and beamed on CBS, nominee Hugh Jackman, who stars as con man Harold Hill in “The Music Man,” tested positive for Covid-19, and thus cannot perform through June 21.

Happily, his understudy, Max Clayton, has been filling in while Jackman recovers, and the show goes on with Sutton Foster as Marian the Librarian The sub emphatically demonstrates the importance of a standby or understudy, as the Tonys indicated the roles of many unseen heroes in the pacing and making of a show. But imagine if you had tickets and great expectations of seeing/hearing Jackman…disappointment, for sure.

Which brings up a question: Who will replace Jackman when he exits the show for good? He was asked, on a TV show, if rumors were true that Justin Timberlake would be the next to sing “76 Trombones” and “Trouble,” but Jackman declined comment saying he didn’t know. Hmmm, if not Timberlake, who has never done a Broadway role, we suggest Neil Patrick Harris, who has done a Broadway vehicle, “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” As a Harold Hill replacement? Why not? He was a wonderful singer, dancer and actor … even former Tony show host. …

And that’s Show Biz. …