Show Biz
Islanders land roles in Broadway musicals
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
THE LOCAL ANGLE: Kimberly J. Balmilero, the former Castle High thespian who has appeared in the second national tour of "Miss Saigon," has landed a spot in the highly anticipated "Mamma Mia" musical (featuring songs by ABBA). The show goes into rehearsals Aug. 20 for an Oct. 5 premiere at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway (where "CATS" used to be). Balmilero's parents, Roy and Joji, expect to be in the Big Apple for the opening. But in the meantime, Balmilero will be home July 26 to attend her grandparents' 50th anniversary celebration ...
And Cliffton Hall, the Kailua dude who has earned his theatrical stripes in "Miss Saigon" (where he has been in the ensemble and also has played Chris) and "Les Miserables" (he has done Marius) will portray Chris in the "Miss Saigon" Asian tour. His parents, the Mac Halls, will be in the opening-night crowd Aug. 1 at the Kallang Theatre in Singapore; the show also will visit Hong Kong. Hall is believed to the first Asian American actor to do Chris (a Japanese native has played him in Japan), and it will be the first time he'll be opposite the real love of his life, Deedee Lynn Magno, who is Kim. The production is being directed by former Islander Peter Lawrence, one-time Advertiser drama critic and University of Hawai'i teacher ...
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CLUBLICITY: The Brickwood Galuteria Quartet will be doing its Friday shows from 6 to 11:30 p.m. today at Don Ho's Island Grill at Aloha Tower Marketplace (for at least the next month), taking over the late spot that used to be frequented by other acts. Galuteria's band will do hour-long sets preceding his 7:30 and 10 p.m. shows ...
Melveen Leed marks her 59th birthday tomorrow night at Chai's Island Bistro at Aloha Tower Marketplace. A parade of her friends is expected, but discount the Local Divas, despite the buzz about their appearance. Reason: Carole Kai is on a trip; Nohelani Cypriano will be singing aboard the Navatek; and Loyal Garner, who fulfills a previous commitment tonight, got word Monday that she needs additional surgery, pronto, in her ongoing battle with cancer. "It's very frustrating," Garner said. "God has a funny way of deciding things." ...
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WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Happy news on the Sansei Restaurant front: Lori and D.K. Kodama (he's the sushi master) are infanticipating. According to Kodama, "our new little sushi chef" will arrive in early December, which will be grandchild No. 8 for the beloved Sandy Kodama, the chef's mom, who's always pitching in at her son's restaurant ...
Prince Norihito and Princess Hisako of Japan dined at Roy's Restaurant in Hawai'i Kai earlier this week. And lunched with our resident city room royalty, Cherry Blossom Queen Catherine E. Toth, at the Halekulani Hotel the next day ...
Dana Carvey, the "Saturday Night Live" veteran, marked the Fourth of July watching the fire and knives at the teppanyaki tables at the Hilton Waikoloa Village's Imari restaurant. His sister is married to a Big Islander ... And Thailand's Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn marked her birthday with a modest party for 30 at the Imari's private tea house, where Chef Nobuyuki Atsumi whipped out a platter of creative sushi ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada writes Show Biz on Wednesdays and Fridays. Phone him at 525-8067.
