Critic's Choice

Mini-reviews of current stage productions
By Advertiser theater critic Joseph Rozmiarek

• "Cinderella": While it's not the best of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, the Diamond Head Theatre production fills it with gorgeous sets and costumes, wonderful voices and plenty of charm. The show has abundant romance, but some tedious stretches among its three acts. Repeats at 8 p.m. today, and at 3 p.m. Saturday and July 21; 8 p.m. Saturday, Thursday and July 20-21; and 4 p.m. Sunday and July 22; $10-$40 (discounts available for seniors, military, students). 733-0274.

Mini-reviews of current art exhibits
By Advertiser art critic Virginia Wageman

• Biennial of Hawai'i Artists (The Contemporary Museum, through Aug. 12, 526-1322) — Six artists are showcased: Ben Kikuyama (a full room installation that invites the viewer to embellish a story), Hugh Russell (close-up photos of soap), Suzanne Saylor (sunny photos of grave sites), Masami Teraoka (brashly satirical paintings dealing with contemporary issues), Kaori Ukaji (stunning all-over black drawings) and Fae Yamaguchi (a playful puppet video).

• Tropical Energy: Recent Ceramic Sculptures and Drawings by Jun Kaneko (Honolulu Academy of Arts, extended to Aug. 12, 532-8700) — Grand ceramic sculptures are installed throughout the museum, several at the front entrance. A wall of ceramic tiles, titled "Honolulu Wall," is a masterpiece of color and pattern. Kaneko, born in Nagoya, Japan, has lived in the United States for 38 years and is among the foremost ceramic sculptors in the world.

• Korean Fashion (Honolulu Academy of Arts, through Oct. 28, 532-8700) — The opening of the academy's new Korean Gallery is celebrated with a splendid showing of textiles from the Ewha Women's University Museum in Seoul.

• Pupu 'o Ni'ihau: Ni'ihau Shell Leis (Honolulu Academy of Arts, through Sept. 30, 532-8700) — Lei made from the delicate shells for which Ni'ihau is famous provide a glimpse into the cultural history of that privately owned island.