Society of Seven founds Las Vegas group

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

In an unprecedented move designed to extend the life of a Waikiki institution, the Society of Seven is cloning itself, forming a second SOS company to carry on the Hawai'i tradition at a still-to-be-disclosed Las Vegas venue.

Society of Seven Las Vegas members: (front, from left) Glenn Miyashiro, Richard Natto; (back, from left) Freddy Von Paraz, Johnathan Kaina, Jan Luna and John Salvatera. Missing is Johnny Fernandez. Eugene Tanner - The Honolulu Advertiser

"The guys will be doing exactly the show we've formulated because we know the contents work," said SOS leader Tony Ruivivar. "But we hope their personality will come out, so that the show will be slightly different. And because the new group members have different impression skills, that segment will eventually be theirs to do how they want to do it."

It's the Broadway touring company idea on a lesser scale. "We're taking a basic show and recreating it for a touring company," said Ruivivar, whose Las Vegas-based brother, Francis Ruivivar, will direct and choreograph the combo here. "There are 16 'Forever Plaids' playing all over the country, and two or three Blue Man Groups. We feel Las Vegas is returning to basic talent after doing spectacles for the past years, and we want to be there to showcase Hawai'i talent and give opportunity to the talent that is developed here. Not just Hawaiian music talent, but this show-type entertainment."

In Hawai'i, the SOS franchise has been costumed medleys of Broadway staples ("The Phantom of the Opera" and "The Lion King" currently), impersonations of pop music icons and show biz legends from Michael Jackson to Stevie Wonder, audience participation and comedy high jinks.

The new SOS will continue those traditions.

And classic SOS members all sing, get involved in choreography and play musical instruments, and membership in the new ensemble requires similar triple-threat artistry.

"It's a new chapter for the SOS and a really exciting and amazing time for me," said Fernandez, the singer-turned-stage-performer known for his work in the Broadway musical "Miss Saigon." He portrayed the secondary lead character of Thuy in the musical.

Fernandez, who has been in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, had been tapped to begin preliminary training to understudy the Simba role - a lead - in the Disney musical "The Lion King."

Instead, he has opted to return home. "It's been my childhood dream, ever since I started singing, to join the Society of Seven," said Fernandez. "Everyone who has formed a musical act has wanted to become like the SOS."

Natto recalled taking his prom date to see SOS at age 17: "They were then, and still are, the gig."

"I want to play music, I want to entertain people," said Miyashiro. "But the showroom scene is really limited. Where can you go, if you're not the SOS? They've been in the forefront; they've got the formula. I've always admired the group, so it's an honor to be asked to join the new group."

Von Paraz, newly active in music production, hopes to use his studio skills in recording the combo. "But right now, my main focus is music, to learn the SOS show," he said.

All the musicians know each other from performing circles, so, said Kaina, "It's like coming into family. I know we'll have a lot of fun, coming together as one. And, chimed in Luna, known for his comedic turns, "I get to be me."

Salvatera acknowledged apprehensions. "It was shaky at first, knowing it was the SOS and the kind of show they do, but it's also been part of my dream to go out there and be part of them," he said.

The new effort calls on the mentoring skills of the elder SOS members: "Everyone's helping each other, with rehearsals day and night," said Ruivivar.

The SOS LV gig will coincide with the original SOS' vacation, expected to last a month.