Show Biz
Ex-Islander's London theater role extended
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
LONG LIVE THE KING: Local boy Keo Woolford, a founding (but now former) member of the Hawai'i group Brownskin, will continue to portray the title role in "The King and I," which has been extended through January at the London Palladium. Thus, the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical becomes the longest-running R&B tuner ever, and maintains the Hawai'i connection since Jason Scott Lee originated the role in London.
Woolford has been earning his share of raves. "Excellent as the King who battles manfully with his conscience," said Midweek. "The very model of modernizing monarch ... brings fresh empathy to the role," said the Stage. "Dutifully delivers," said the Times. "Makes it all look effortless," said the Sunday Post.
Clearly, Woolford is thrilled about the extension and contract renewal. But the events in New York have affected his emotions. "In the wake of such catastrophe, there must be some good to come ... I am more homesick than ever before," he said. "But the show must go on" ...
He was concerned that a number of Broadway shows have shut down because of the slowdown in attendance. But the casts of "Kiss Me, Kate," "Les Miserables," "The Phantom of the Opera," "Chicago," "Rent" and "The Full Monty" (plus techies, stagehands, musicians and even press agents) have been fighting back, reducing their pay (with the union's blessings) so that the stage lights remain on ...
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RANDOM NOTES: Bob Burns, former Hawai'i hotelier (Kahala Hilton) will be honored by the University of Hawai'i School of Travel Industry Management at the Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism dinner Nov. 14 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel's Monarch Room. Since leaving Hawai'i, Burns' credentials have become synonymous with tourism throughout the Pacific. Entertainer Danny Kaleikini will be master of ceremonies — appropriate, since both put the Kahala hotel on the tourism map ...
Yasmeen Sulieman, Punahou grad and budding recording star, is featured on the soundtrack of "Two Can Play That Game," the comedy featuring Vivica Fox and Morris Chestnut. Her tune is "Poppin' Up," and yes, she's the 1998 Brown Bags to Stardom winner whose first CD is slated to be released in early 2002, under auspices of Magic Johnson Entertainment and MCA Universal ...
Denise Dillon, a CNN overnight anchor, will be in Hawai'i Oct. 6 for the Ironman event at Kailua-Kona. Nope, not to report, but to be on the front line — as a participant ...
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PERSONALITIES: Matt Catingub, pops conductor for the Honolulu Symphony, has composed "In Memory," a musical tribute to the victims in the Sept. 11 tragedy. The orchestra will premiere it on the Christopher Cross concerts Oct. 5 and 6 at Blaisdell Concert Hall ...
When Michael Qseng did that recent guest stint with Jeff Kino on KQMQ-FM, a friend of his — ex-KQMQ deejay Rick O'Shay — happened to hear him. O'Shay was in town for a friend's wedding and now does a radio show in Shanghai. "We have been pals since he became a big gun in Hong Kong radio and I used to hang out there a lot ... he always made sure I hit the best unknown restaurants," said Qseng. They got together and traded tales, and Qseng nearly missed his return flight ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz runs Wednesdays and Fridays; reach him at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.
