SHOW BIZ
Cage-Presley wedding creates quite a stir

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

PARADISE FOUND: That Nicolas Cage-Lisa Marie Presley wedding Saturday at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows on the Big Island has been a media buzz all week. The hastily-arranged sunset nuptials were held on the property, arranged by an outside wedding planner, with 30 in attendance, including Priscilla Presley, mother of the bride, and close family members, including Cage's son. The couple had a quiet dinner the night before the wedding at the Canoe House on site.

Paparazzi should look elsewhere, however, for the honeymooners; the couple isn't staying at the resort, opting for seclusion at a private residence. However, since Priscilla Presley owns a condo near the Mauna Lani, she and Lisa Marie often work out in the hotel's spa.

Once the news leaked, print and broadcast sources from New York, Los Angeles and London, among other places launched an incredible blitz of media queries — what was the bride wearing, what food was served, any other celebs in attendance, were photos shot?

RANDOM NOTES: Comedian Rip Taylor, still recovering from eye surgery, hopes to work in an overdue isle vacation soon. On a flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles last September, he felt something in his left eye — a cornea — had popped. Turned out to be cataracts. Surgery enabled him to see normally again. ...

Joy Abbott, widow of legendary Broadway playwright, actor and director George Abbott, is on her annual island hiatus. Her husband's play,"The Boys From Syracuse," is set for a Broadway revival shortly, under auspices of the Roundabout Theatre, at the American Airlines playhouse on 42nd Street. George Abbott's other biggies include "Damn Yankees," "Pal Joey," "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and "Pajama Game," the last of which is set for a revival next season, Joy said. Just learned that she is a Punahou grad and the sister of Mae Ann, spouse of Keola Beamer. She owns an apartment at the Admiral Thomas (and also lives in Miami Beach and Philadelphia). Joy performs with Davis Gaines, former Broadway "Phantom of the Opera" star, paying tribute to George Abbott and producer-director Harold Prince. ...

SHORTS OF SORTS: You haven't heard the last of Mark Allen Mauricio, the magician who won The Advertiser's "Be Somebody" contest. Over dinner with yours truly at 3660 on the Rise (that was his prize), Mauricio said that he's negotiating to open in his own club in Waikiki later this fall — something he's been angling for for quite a while. His specialty is close-up magic, an art he was teaching in summer classes at Punahou School, but he made chef Russell Siu's cuisine (an exquisite seven-course dinner including scallops, sea bass, duck breast and beef tenderloin) disappear the old-fashioned, 'ono way — via mouth. No magic required. ...

Ho'okena made its debut last weekend at the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea on the Big Island, bringing along teen falsetto Raitea Helm and hula stylist Nani Dudoit. After more than two hours of song, dance and hana hou, Manu Boyd promised the audience, "One way or another, we will be back!" ...

The local chapter of Variety Club is giving away Ford vans to two local children's organizations eager to have use of the vehicles free for a year. Variety Club, the largest children's charity in the world, was started in Hawai'i by a group of entertainers in 1966. Fax Fred Livingston at 949-4757 for an application. ...

And that's Show Biz ...