Show Biz
Keo Woolford starring on London stage in 'The King and I'
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
LONG LIVE THE KING: Keo Woolford, a member of the group Brownskin who's also a former dancer with Robert Cazimero's Halau Na Kamalei, is portraying the title role in "The King and I" at the London Palladium in London's West End. He is the second Islander (Jason Scott Lee was the first) to take the lead in the British revival of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic.
"The response has been incredibly positive," said Woolford, who is doing his first major theatrical role. He played the part for a week in December, starred opposite the incomparable Elaine Paige as Anna (though Josie Lawrence now is doing the part), rejoined the company in April and is poised for a formal May 9 opening.
"I chose to shave my head," he said of his bald pate, "because they thought I looked too young."
In Hawai'i, Woolford (who is using his surname, after opting to be Keo the past few years), is known as the Tall One in Brownskin. A prolific songwriter, Woolford will have no less than 10 titles on upcoming Baba B. and Namahana CDs, including collaborations with kumu hula Cazimero and Michael Lanakila Casupang ...
While in London to promote his made-in-Hawai'i animated "Final Fantasy" (which has a July 11 premiere date), producer Chris Lee encountered "King" posters galore of his pal Woolford and "had a great time hanging out together, and went-pub crawling with '80s icon Boy George," said Lee. Woolford's director, Chris Renshaw, is planning a new musical with Boy George and another about Queen, according to Lee ...
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WHO 'N' WHERE: Bobby Gonzales, formerly of The Krush, and Amado Cecho, recently with H-3, are the latest members of Honolulu, the band sharing the limelight with The Krush at the Esprit Nightclub at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.
The pair joined the act last night, filling in the vacancies left by the departure of Glenn Miyashiro and Jonathan Kaina, who have become members of the new Society of Seven Las Vegas (who, in turn, bow May 8 at the Outrigger Waikiki's Main Showroom). Gonzales and Cecho join current Honolulans Jeannette Trevias, Tony Trevias, Ben Juan, John Ornellas and Richard Trugillo in shows from 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 9 p.m. Fridays (The Krush performs Saturdays through Mondays). On Tuesdays, both bands are on a monthly rotation schedule ...
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SIGHT 'EMS: Sean Penn, the actor-director ("Dead Man Walking," "Carlito's Way"), has been visiting Maui, dining at such restaurants as the Hula Grill, Leilani's and Kimo's ...
Heads turned at Aaron's atop the Ala Moana Hotel when actor Steven Seagal dined there with an entourage that included "Exit Wounds" co-star and champion powerlifter Joe Onosai. According to general manager Al Souza III, the group had a buffet of pupu and the restaurant's signature dessert, flaming strawberries Panzini ...
Following a corporate gig together on the the Big Island, Henry Kapono and Michael McDonald lunched andærelaxed poolsideælast weekend at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island ...
At the Hawai'i Theatre's "Hulawood" benefit (with a Hollywood motif) at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental, it was no surprise that Jonathon Van Brana showed up as Elvis (that's his job). The big surprise was Judge Marie Milks as Greta Garbo and her husband Bill as Burt Lancaster (from "From Here to Eternity"), with even an appearance by King Kong ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz is published Wednesdays and Fridays. Phone him at 525-8067, e-mail wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.
