Posted on: Monday, October 15, 2001

The Left Lane
Iz' rendition recalls original 'Rainbow'

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Bruddah Iz — that's the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole — has given new life to and appreciation of "Over the Rainbow," the trademark song from "The Wizard of Oz." So perhaps it's time to re-examine the original version.

If you've never heard "Rainbow," as sung by the late Judy Garland, you can rent the "Oz" video, or wait for the traditional holiday-time airing on TV. Or, better yet, rediscover Garland, along with her own lei of hits, in a just-out "The Very Best of Judy Garland" compilation, that features "Over the Rainbow" (MCA/Decca).

It's a nostalgic journey, to be sure, with obvious pauses on some of her best rainbow of movie hits ("Dear Mr. Gable: You Made Me Love You," "The Trolley Song," "Blues in the Night," "For Me and My Gal" with Gene Kelly, and "I Got Rhythm").

'Flower' power

Five Island performers will be in the cast of the new Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, "Flower Drum Song," which is in previews in Los Angeles and premiered yesterday at the Mark Taper Forum.

They include Alvin Ing, who has a secondary lead role, in the modernized revival starring Lea Salonga as Mei Li. The other former Hawai'i actors include Chloe Stewart, Christine Yasunaga, Blythe Matsui and Michael Dau.

The production, running through Dec. 2, is also expected to move to Broadway, possibly in the spring.

In the interim, Ing, who segues from musicals to operas, is expected to direct Army Community Theatre's "Flower Drum Song" starting Feb. 28 at Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter.