Robert Cazimero, the accomplished do-all island entertainer, turns 77 today (March 20). Happy da kine.
He celebrated his birthday last night (March 19), in one of his usual gigs at Chef Chai’s. But he’s been celebrating throughout the month of March, which is the timetable he advocates.
It’s been a banner month for him, and he works (hard) for his money, like the Donna Summer mantra song from yesteryear Consider:
- He’s been rehearsing like crazy, for a two-show gig at 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday (March 22) at Paliku Theatre at Windward Community Theatre. It’s a fund-raiser for his Na Kamalei O Lililehua hula halau. The first show is sold out, and the finale likely will follow suit.
- He’s had a bit of a setback last week, followed by a good luck streak last week. He dined at the Kam Bowl Restaurant in Kalihi, and his wallet – with driver’s license, credit cards, and cash – slipped out of his rain jacket and unknowingly fell under a table. He discovered the loss only when he was at a Safeway, unable to pay for his purchase, so headed home, when he noticed his phone was a-buzz with messages. His friends saw a Facebook post by the restaurant, and they were trying to alert him. He ultimately secured his belongings, with contents intact, but he was a bit concerned that his driver’s license was exposed on Facebook. However, he was able to retrieve all his stuff, without the need to replace all the valuable cards in his wallet. Honesty was on his side, for which he was thankful. Perhaps his birthday angel was monitoring his fate.
- His birthday show at Chai’s was afloat, so to speak, thanks to the continuous flow of “water,” in actuality his favorite champagne. The performance ran nearly two hours, underscored by the vast support of entertainment pals and hula colleagues. Kuana Torres Kahale, his Hawaiiana buddy, flew in from Hilo, to join Cazimero in concert, playing electric bass, singing harmony and frequently lead, in a stunning demonstration of developing brotherhood, in a sense replacing the void and loss of bro Roland Cazimero.
Hula dancers Sky Perkins Gora and Keola “Buddy” Makaiau did perhaps two solo dances, because of the volley of peer stylists tapped to share periodic hula in the aisles. These included impressive halau dancers, male and female, including legendary kumu Vicky Holt Takamine who rendered several lead dances. Singer Marlene Sai was a notable spectator. The bottom line: there was much love and loyalty and artistry in the ranks…
Manoa Valley’s ‘Spring Awakening’ opens
Mānoa Valley Theatre “Spring Awakening” opened last night (March 19) for a run through April 5..
The gritty rock musical, set in late 19th century Germany, explores the turbulent journey of adolescent sexuality and self-discovery. The adult themes suggest this is not for young audiences,
A group of teenagers navigate their inherent desires amid strict social pressures and a lack of adult guidance, resulting in powerful, often dark, coming-of-age themes. Mature subject matter prevails, including depictions of suicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, abortion, and sexuality.
A contemporary rock score features music by Duncan Sheik, and the show is based on the play by Frank Wedekind, with book and lyrics by Steven Sater.
The MVT cast features isaiah Gunderman Graham (Melchior), Amy K. Sullivan (Adult Woman), Mathias Maas (Adult Man), Ainsley Shearer (Wendla), Nikki Bagaw (Martha), Marie Chiyo Staples (Thea), Gina Miyazaki (Anna), Myla Pellegrini (Ilse), Casey Lauti (Ernst), Maya Joyce (Georg,) Chad Navarro (Otto/Rupert) Andrew Cheng (ensemble/Bobby/Reinhold), Kevin Molina (ensemble/Ulbrecht), Victoria Chang (ensemble/Marianna), Juliette Moody (ensemble/Frieda), and Cayden Park (ensemble/Liesel). I
The production team includes Lurana Donnels O’Malley (director),Jenny Shiroma (music director), Jonathan Clarke Sypert (choregrapher/inimacy coordinator), Stacey Pulmano (assistant director), Erich Sableinwandt-Gudoy ( stage manager), Aly Sutton (assistant stage manager), Teia O’Malley (set designer), Willie Sabel (technical director/scenic artist), Janine Myers (lighting designer/master electrician), Tim Manamtam and Sarah Velasco (sound designers), Ka‘iukapu Baker (costume designer), Lisa Ponce de Leon (hair and makeup designer)r (Kelley Belle (props designer), Rehearsal Assistant – Denise-Aiko Chinen (rehearsal assistant), and– Amber Lehua Baker (costume shop supervisor).
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, at 3 p.m. Sundays, with a special 3 p.m. matinee on March 28.
Tickets are $25 to $47, available via phone at (808) 988-6131, or online at manoavalleytheatre.com.
And that’s Show Biz…