SHOW BIZ
Native son takes on priestly duties in 'Laundry'
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
THE PLAYBILL: Looks like Jason Scott Lee returns to the acting fold here, portraying, of all things, a Catholic priest accused of molesting a child (hey, it's headline stuff), in Joe Moore's new play, "Dirty Laundry." "Laundry" premieres in April at the Hawai'i Theatre as a production by and a fund-raiser for Manoa Valley Theatre. Although the cast has been kept under wraps, we've learned that some popular isle talent will be involved. Besides Moore as the aging anchor in the news biz-themed tell-it-all (with fictitious names, for obvious reasons), the players will include Ray Bumatai as another newsman; Matthew Pederson as a somewhat scumball of a sleaze-news marketer; and Sherry Chock Wong as a news anchor who's a ditzel-brain (hey, we're not making this up). Karen Bumatai will direct — and shivers must be starting among those who might be targets. ...
It was a hectic time of anticipation during Hawai'i Pacific University Theatre's "Death of a Salesman" production, a virtual sell-out at the Windward campus before closing last weekend. Joshua Gulledge, who played the part of Happy (one of Willie Loman's sons in the show), was on edge, anticipating fatherhood; the baby did arrive on the morning of Nov. 27, when Gulledge's wife, Bronwen, gave birth to Gavin Elijah, enabling the actor to do the show that night — and give a huge grin of happiness at the curtain call. Sylvia Hormann-Alper, who played opposite Don Pomes, had anticipation and joy of another kind: Her brother, Los Angeles actor Nick Hormann, attended the show that night. ...
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HERE 'N' THERE: Melveen Leed will make a rare appearance at the Hawai'i Naniloa's Crown Room, in an Arc of Hilo benefit Friday night. Her guests will include Ron Ka'ipo, Rodney Cazimero, and Glenn Pinho, who comprise her back-up trio. Daughter Kaula also will be aboard. Arc of Hilo provides vocational training for those with disabilities. ...
Robert and Roland Cazimero will appear, but won't sing, at the launching today of their "25th Annual May Day Concert 2002" DVD release. A party, open to the public, will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at Na Mea, the new Hawaiiana shop at Fort Street Mall and Merchant Street. If you attend, there's validated parking at Harbor Court. Lest you forget, this is the milestone Waikiki Shell Lei Day concert that not only featured three generations of hula (Leina'ala Kalama Heine, her daughters, and her granddaughter), but an allistar band like no other, featuring Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, John Koko, Jerome Koko, Glenn Smith, Manu Boyd, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Ka'ipo Hale, Jerry Santos, Kea'o Costa, Ken Makuakane, Henry Kapono, Tony Conjugacion and Sean Na'auao. Good thing the cameras were rolling. ...
Sean Jones, 11, a Maryknoll seventh-grader, is establishing quite a list of theatrical credentials. He will be Amahl in Sunday's "Amahl and the Night Visitors," which will be produced by Eunice DeMello and directed by Roslyn at St. Clement's Church. He was in last weekend's Christmas extravaganza starring Jim Nabors (and a "cast of thousands," it seemed) at the Hawai'i Theatre and in Diamond Head Theatre's summer hit musical comedy, "You Somebody." Sean has inspiration at home, however; his dad is musician Steve Jones, and his mom is Lee Ann Maruyama Jones, known for her translation work with Japan's TBS television. ...
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SIGHT 'EMS: Teen heartthrobs Andrew Keegan ("The Hot Chick") and Elisha Cuthbert ("24"), spotted dining at Michel's at the Colony Surf. ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach him at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
