Copperfield's hard-working vacation
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
TROPIC TOPICS: David Copperfield has concluded a busy visit, not only doing a week's worth of shows at Blaisdell Concert Hall, which ended Sunday, but researching sharks here and elsewhere for a future production number. With all those shark attacks lately, sounds like a timely but dangerously challenging feat. Then again, when doesn't Copperfield tempt danger?
While here, Copperfield also has been taping an "InStyle" TV special during his offstage hours, on the redecoration of his New York apartment, with crews documenting it via computer links. His New York sources have been sending images of floor plans and other details. Even a master illusionist can't do a quick disappearing/reappearing number when it comes to giving a pad a facelift ...
By the way, that late-night Mel Cabang performance last Thursday night at Don Ho's Island Grill, initiated by Copperfield (who had riotous fun), drew 200-plus old and new fans. The gallery included Don Ho, Jerry and John Koko of the Makaha Sons, Melveen Leed, Danny Couch, Larry Mehau, Kim Gennaula, Guy Hagi, Paul Ogata, Greg Gabaylo and nearly 40 of Copperfield's tech crew; and few escaped a skewering from Cabang, who was surprisingly clean (read: not as crude as he normally is). Perhaps being in prison and now working at Caesars Cleaner has sanitized his act? His manner (with body language unlike anyone else here) connected with the crowd, enabling Copperfield to finally enlighten his parents and his crew on why he considers Cabang a comedy favorite. The quickie booking, announced here and sold out in a day, even brought out the club honchos on a weeknight (David Nagaishi, Barry Silverman, Henry Ayau) and beckons the question: Is a hana hou in store? ...
ISLAND HOPPING: What do Frank DeLima, Kelsey Grammer and Clint Eastwood have in common? They're all fans of the Maui-based "'Ulalena" spectacle. DeLima finally took in a performance and marveled at "the Hawaiian history, told in such a unique way." Grammer and Eastwood have been repeat visitors ...
Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony may sing "Panama," but he had Ka'anapali and kaukau on his mind when he recently frequented two beachfront restaurants, Hula Grill and Leilani's on the Beach ...
Saturday's Carmen Miranda-inspired Gala Food Bank Headdress Ball, a Hawai'i Food Bank benefit held at the Hilton Waikoloa Village resort, was filled with fun and good food. Misa Maruyama's headgear, a mountain of fruit with a replica of the TransAmerica tower, won the grand prize. Other finalists: first, Satomi Loo; second, Mia Hemmings; and third, Annie Gregory ...
NAMES 'N' PLACES: Glenn Cannon will be plenty busy this coming drama season. He directs two Army Community Theatre musicals, "My Fair Lady" (starting Sept. 6) and "Sayonara" (beginning Nov. 15) at Richardson Theatre, and then directs Kennedy Theatre's "Crimes of the Heart" (launching March 15). By the way, for "My Fair Lady," ACT has cast newcomer Valerie Buel (an Army wife) as Eliza Doolittle, and veteran Dennis Proulx as Henry Higgins. Proulx is ending a five-year absence from the stage (he was recuperating from a back injury). "It's actually being sung, instead of spoken," he said of his Higgins interpretation ...
Tonight's show tip: Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Barry Flanagan and Ernie Cruz Jr., from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Chai's Island Bistro ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz runs Wednesdays and Fridays. Reach him at 525-8067, e-mail wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.
