MY LATEST SUMMER NOTE CARD…

Felt a creative urge yesterday, so decided to work on a summerish note card. Had this snack-laden paper, which lacked a local punch, so decided to do several variations of this aloha shirt card, capped with a strawberry shave ice, that’s now part of my Wild Cards catalogue. Happy summer!

DHT FINALLY MOUNTS A ‘BEAUTY’

Finally, there’s an appealing and sensational on-stage attraction befitting the new theater.

This outing – DHT’s season-closing endeavor – finally hits all the right notes after the largely lackluster “Cinderella” and “The Bodyguard,” the two attractions preceding “Beauty.”

On every front, this one’s a wonderment, with the essential experience and aura of a magical kingdom, a title that Disney now owns outright.

The musical, based on Disney’s 1991 hit animated film, features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton.

At its core, this is a love story waiting to bloom; a prince becomes a beast-like figure when he falls under a spell from an enchantress; the only way he can undo the spell is to fall in love with Belle, whose father gets trapped in the lair of the beast, and she is held hostage.

Thus, the moral is to chill and learn to love, and the curse will end if Belle, a book-loving woman, sees beyond his mean demeanor and animal-like physique, and kisses him, and, yes, they’ll live happily ever after. In other words, don’t judge a book by its cover.

Director David Spangenthal (inventive, daring, spirited, pictured above) is a triple-threat in this “tale as old as time,” appearing as the Beast/Prince and also credited with the stunning choreography, making each task look easy. Clearly, he’s a singer, dancer, and a theatrical wizard – his Beast is a powerhouse of emotions on “If I Can’t Love Her.”

Spangenthal’s casting is remarkable. Beauty is a beauty (Emily North, pictured above, right, with a voice of an angel and alternately feisty and Disney princess-like, graceful, and wistful on “Home”), supplemented by brilliant choices for the humans-caught-in-the-spell:  Garrett Hols (Gaston, aptly boorish, pompous, and self-loving on “Me” and “Gaston”), Samuel Budd (Lefou, Gaston’s punchy sidekick, delightfully impish), Kyle Malis (Cogsworth, tick-tocking timely advice), David Sheftell (as Lumiere, the candelabra with a beaut of a voice, and hands of candles, warmly welcoming on “Be Our Guest” ), Cathy Foy (as Mrs. Pott, the teapot, with pipes that deliver the show’s signature title song), and Julie Okamura (Madame de la Grande Bousch, a walking wardrobe chest of drawers with functioning doors and drawers).

Samuel Budd( Lefou) and Garrett Hols (Gaston), in “Beauty and the Beast.”

These fairy tale characters would not be effective were it not for the magic of new resident costumer Emily Lane, whose creations run the gamut from traditional gowns to the Beast (as a monster, as a Prince), plus specialty garb like the uncustomary costumes including a spout-arm for Mrs. Potts, and fantasy finery for Lumiere, Cogsworth and Madame de la Grand Bousch. That’s sew biz!

Cathy Foy, center, as Mrs. Potts, the teapot, in “Beauty and the Beast.”

There’s also the kitchen implements bearing larger-than-life fork, spoon, and knife, and a brigade of tools like a handmixer, a corkscrew, and a brush.

Kudos, too, to set and lighting designer Dawn Oshima, who finally converts the DHT space into a palate befitting a fairy tale:  a range of scenic background slide projections (the village, the Beast’s lair, scenic skies and mountains and gigantic full moon), platforms and stairways that are utilized in different positioning. The visuals enhance the acting/dancing, elements that have been lacking earlier even with fly space. In one scene, the Beast reveals a surprise for book-loving Belle, three airy book-filled shelves comprising a library, floating beautifully.

Belle’s home is a bright yellow with red door and windows, spartan but suitable for a storybook set, and an oversized plate is an unexpected eye-filler in one scene, which reflects a huge budget for scenery and props.

Spangenthal’s choreography on “The Mob Song,” featuring Hols’ Gaston, earns the largest applause of the evening, for the well-executed mob dancing while clinking flagons, an apparatus-version of the slap dance. Great timing, grand sequence. And Spangenthal repeatedly displays a knack of movement/dancing on entrances and exits with ease and aplomb.

Chip (Mrs. Potts’ son), is cute and effective, with beaming face from a large teacup with a chip, with his body concealed in a cabinet (the role is double-cast, with Tobias Ng-Osorio and Philex Kepa). Giddy but hilarious are the trio of Silly Girls (Lana Differt, Kira Mahealani Stone and Christine Kluvo. Alexandria Zinov (Babette) and Maurice “Mo” Radke (Maurice, Belle’s father) have their moments, too.

Also watch for the somersaulting carpet (uncredited) in several scenes – a rare but stunning contribution.

The orchestra, unseen in the pit, is co-conducted by Roslyn Catracchia and Jenny Shiroma, and provides breathless sweeps and dramatic zest – a remarkable triumph since there are only 10 musicians sounding like 20.

Historically, “Beauty and the Beast” was the first Disney entry as a Broadway player, a feat viewed as a domestic response to the bounty of British-produced successes arriving from the West End. The prevailing climate among Broadway vets was indifference toward a theatrical film organization entering the market, but Mickey Mouse prevailed. Disney also launched an aggressive merchandise tactic (think tee-shirts, coffee mugs, and fake roses that light up) to cater to patrons, with a brilliant idea to direct exiting theater-goers through the souvenir shop, a move incredibly productive especially with “The Lion King,” early in that show’s run. And today, “The Lion King” is the king of The Great White Way, ranking No. 1 in grosses (more than $2 million weekly). …

And that’s Show Biz. …

Beauty and the Beast’

What: A musical based on the Disney animated film, “Beauty and the Beast,” with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton.

Where: Diamond Head Theatre.

When:  Opened July 21, running through Aug. 20. The show’s original playdates are sold out:  seats for performances Aug. 17 through 20 are available.

Tickets: $37 to $62, at www.diamondheadtheatre.com or (808) 733-0274.

ONE MORE CIONE ‘FOLLIES’ AT ARCADIA

At 95, showman Jack Cione has slowed his gait and his memory fades off and on.

Yet, he is in the midst of prepping the Arcadia Follies set for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7, 8 and 9 and 2:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Arcadia’s theater space on Punahou Street.

“This is my last one,” Cione (pictured left) said the other day. “I really think so, because I’m moving slower and I often forget what I taught the cast.”

He selects tunes for the cavalcade of melodies, and assigns tasks and teaches the choreography  to the cast. Several years ago, “the last one” was  to be the final one,  and the concept put to rest,  prior to the pandemic.

But there Cione is again, still an active Arcadian, tooling around on a scooter, since he has difficulty walking. The cane and the walker are history now.

“Broadway Babies” is the theme of the production, featuring veteran regulars like Elva Yoshihara and Sheila Black, who will be among the “Babes” in the cast of 30, with origins from such shows as “Hello,  Dolly,” “Mame,” and “Mary Poppins.”

Outsiders (non Arcadians) such as Becky Hahn, Faith Agbayani and John and Karen Kotake are also faces and dancers you might recall, if you’ve been to previous Follies.

Cione’s tact is to have his cast lip-synch to notable show tunes – this year’s show will highlight tunes from shows like “Pippin’” – and fortunately, costumes that were featured in past productions will be back, likely with a new wrinkle and twinkle.

See, when Cione decided to throw in the towel, some of the costumes were sold but many were retained by costumer Bill Dougherty, who oversaw the gear back in the day.

When he died, the costumes were bequeathed to Hahn, who happily stored them in her basement and has helped return some to their original glory for yet another go.

The show is free to Arcadians and their guests, so unless you know someone in that senior facility, you can’t have access. …

Clublicity

Singer Mary Gutzi’s (pictured right) in the spotlight, from 7 to 10 p.m. today (July 22), at the Paradise Lounge of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Her buddy Shari Lynn will return there, same timetable, on Aug. 5, then Shari and hubby Michael Acebedo, will head for a Mediterranean cruise to celebrate his  80th birthday. They return around Sept. 14 …

Gail Mack (pictured left) and Gordon Kim have been a singing duo for several decades now, after their George Street group disbanded. So if you’re a fan/follower, you might want to check ‘em out from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 20, at Mango Street Grill, at 130 Mango St., in Wahiawa. I don’t get around much anymore, but you might explore and join them. (I get my Gail Mack treat during the holidays, when her beloved “It’s Christmas Once More in Hawaii Nei” gets constant radio play. )…

But here’s some lovely news, that you can plan ahead to attend. Gail and Gordon will be joined by Jerry Santos (pictured right), Kamuela Kimokeo and Steve Lucas, Dec. 23, at Mango Street, in what seems to be a Christmas present. For information, call (808) 627-5451, and reservations are suggested.

Santos warrants a regular gig in Waikiki, with his group Olomana, but even before the pandemic, it’s been tough for anyone to land a club. Hotels neglect to do their part in turning around the slump in business, and despite knowing that on-site music is an amenity worth offering to visitors, there seems to be no upward move to return to the days of glory .,..

And that’s Show Biz. …

HAVE YOU HAD A PNEUMONIA SHOT?

Just asking…

Hey, seniors. Have you had a pneumonia shot recently?

Longs pharmacies are giving these shots now (Medicare and your health insurance will cover). Got a call yesterday from Longs and made an appointment earlier this morning and received the shot.

So far, no side effects. So far, haven’t from anyone receiving the shot.

So asking: ya plan to have one? Supposed, it’s a preventive move so not required, but doesn’t hurt to have one, I guess…

UKULELE FEST: NEW BLOOD, SAME GOALS

The Hawaii Ukulele Festival will celebrate everything ukulele, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday (July 23).

It’s the same attraction, at the same site, for the same reason: To showcase ukulele strummers and glorify the versatility of the four-stringed instrument.

But the event has new presenters, since Roy Sakuma, who launched the festival several decades ago, has retired.

The new backers mean many new uke players will perform, including Kamakakehau Fernandez, Ku’uipo Kumukahi (pictured, left) Mika Kane, Na Ukulele ‘Ekolu, Kalei and Corey, Brittney Paiva, Kris Fuchigami, Kimo Hussey, and Zanuck Lindsey.

Admission is free. If you’re a uke player, bring your instrument for impromptu jams. …

Broadway strike averted

Great news!

The IATSE (International Alliance of Theatre Stage Employees) strike on Broadway, which would have happened on Friday (July 21), is off.

The Broadway League and Disney Theatrical have a tentative 11th hour agreement that will avert the strike, according to Playbill.com.

IATSE members have yet to vote and approve the so-called Pink Contract, for behind-the-scene workers like backstage hair and makeup personnel and other theatrical support workers. If the union members reject the new pact, a new strike date could be set.

But for now, the lights of Broadway – and national touring shows – will be aglow as usual. …

Broadway grosses for week ending July 16

The roar of “The Lion King” still is No. 1 on the Broadway charts.

In fact, longevity is part of the way to get into the “million dollar” club.

We list the Lucky 7 each week:

1 – “The Lion King,” $2.638 million.

2—“Hamilton,” $1.856 million.

3—“Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” $1.805 million.

4 – “Wicked,” $1.802 million.

5 –“MJ, the Michael Jackson Musical,” $1.596million.

6–  “Aladdin,” $1.586 million.

7—“Funny Girl,” $1.479 million.

The complete list, courtesy The Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz. …