SHOW BIZ
Composer's love of the Islands put into lyrics
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
A STITCH IN TIME: When composer-director Richard Jay-Alexander was visiting Hawai'i several months back, en route to a QE II gig with opera singer Russell Watson, he got a writing assignment from Disney to compose a song about the Islands. So Jay-Alexander, also known in the theater community for his directorial and producing roles in "Les Miserables" and "Miss Saigon" tours to Hawai'i, scouted Waikiki and other environs and scribbled down all the things he loved about Honolulu. Well, the tune, "Old Hawaiian Way," is due to be released soon on a new "Lilo & Stitch Island Favorites" CD, which will capitalize on Jay-Alexander's original to promote the entire disc. ...
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COCONUT WIRELESS: One recognizable face and talent occasionally on the set of "The Big Bounce," now filming here, won't be in the movie. She is Denise Richards — who happens to be the wife of Charlie Sheen, one of the movie's co-stars — who spent Thanksgiving here with her husband. They met when he co-starred on "Spin City," and she had a guest role. You may recall that Richards also was a Bond Girl in "The World Is Not Enough"; her other credits include "Starship Troopers," "Wild Things" and "Drop Dead Gorgeous." ...
"Baywatch Hawai'i" co-star Jason Momoa is in Australia, shooting a film called "Returning Lily" with Virginia Madsen, who was in "The Rainmaker." Other movies are in the offing for him. ...
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ITEMIZATIONS: The Kelsey Grammer family got a preview of the new winter menu items a few days back at Maui's I'o restaurant. The "Frasier" star also inquired about Christmas and New Year's festivities, indicating he may do what he did last year: celebrate the holidays in Lahaina. ...
Maui chef James McDonald celebrated his birthday on Thanksgiving — plus his first anniversary with wife Kerri — in Italy. It's their first visit to pastaland, and while it's a vacation, you can expect McDonald to check on the dining scene. "I won't be working, but I am going to the chefs' playground," he says. Which means there will be Italiano items on the menu at both his Pacific 'O and I'o restaurants. ...
Iolani Sportswear, led by president Lloyd Kawakami, is the manufacturer of Emme Tomingbang's Island Moments apparel; a source error led to incorrect information on a fashion show mentioned in this column last week. ...
Barry Flanagan guested with Jake Shimabukuro in a recent show at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, and the uke strummer's kindness and professionalism overwhelmed the veteran guitarist-singer. Shimabukuro is managed by Kazu Flanagan, who is from Japan and no relation to Barry. Flanagan's first solo CD, "Instrumental Peace," will be in stores Dec. 17. ...
Timing is everything for University of Hawai'i grad Tim Golden. While interning for Hawaiian Image Video as a student, he took a call one day from Buena Vista Pictures eager to hire production assistants to help with the premiere of "Pearl Harbor." "They were looking for p.a.s for 'Entertainment Tonight' and since I took the call, I got the job." A month later, he worked with "ET" and producer Bonnie Tiegel on another project. "Tim was an amazing worker; he didn't know the word no," said Tiegel, impressed by his attitude and do-it philosophy. Result: After he graduated in December, he was hired as a production assistant for "ET," working on projects from March through June. Then he was promoted to media manager for "ET Online." "I was in the right place at the right time," says Golden. ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays; reach him at e-mail wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, phone at 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
