SHOW BIZ
Maestro's status in Hong Kong not yet clear

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM: Is Samuel Wong, maestro of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra who also has an overseas job, in or out at the Hong Kong Philharmonic? Both, it seems. The embattled conductor, who is to step down as music director of the Hong Kong orchestra next July, has been appointed the orchestra's principal conductor. Earlier reports indicated that disgruntled board members had triggered a movement to replace Wong, resulting in a September announcement that Wong's contract was not going to be renewed. A month later, the Hong Kong government replaced the board members who were highly critical of Wong, after ongoing negotiations. Wong earlier told The Advertiser that "something will be announced down the line," no doubt referring to the latest development. The objectors felt Wong wasn't up to par in his role as music director and conductor. Seems a music director search is now under way. ...

MUSICAL NOTES: Matt Catingub, conductor of the Honolulu Symphony Pops, was off to the Mainland this week for a memorial service for his friend and colleague, Rosemary Clooney, whose last recording, called "The Last Concert," was just released featuring Catingub and his Big Kahuna crew. The memorial, a benefit for the Mayo Clinic Rosemary Clooney Pulmonary Research Fund, had a star-studded turnout, including George Clooney, Nick Clooney, Patti Austin, Tony Bennett, Debbie Boone, T-Bone Burnett and Sam Phillips, Michael Feinstein, the Bing Crosby family, Diana Krall, Merv Griffin, Bob Mackie, Shaun Cassidy, Jimmy Webb, Linda Ronstadt and more. Catingub will be back for this weekend's Na Leo Pilimehana Christmas concerts Friday through Sunday at Blaisdell Concert Hall. ...

A confession: To get a review of "A Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors" into the Sunday paper, we had to attend two nights — Friday and Saturday — because of a conflicting dinner in Waikiki the first night (when we saw Act II) and an earlier-than-usual Saturday night deadline (because of the Honolulu Marathon) the second night (and Act I). Not the best way to see a production, especially with the challenges of holiday traffic, so it was a little like getting the main course and dessert before the appetizer and salad, but Jim Nabors and his crew are so good at what they do, it hardly mattered. Nabors donates his time and talent annually, like Santa on his seasonal mission, and we're lucky to have him call Hawai'i home. The concert is a collaborative effort of his Naborly Productions, the Hawai'i Theatre Center and the Honolulu Symphony (the theater and the orchestra benefit), and will definitely be repeated in 2003 — the seventh season. ...

SEASON'S GREETINGS: Eric Chandler had a hand in that glorious Christmas display at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel. ...

The Breeze (KHUI 99.5 FM) is doing a live broadcast at the Moana's Veranda from 5:30 to 7 p.m. today, featuring Na Leo, The Brothers Cazimero and Kapena, but you have to be in the "Concert in the Courtyard" crowd to hear the wonderful post-show concert that will feature songbird Owana Salazar, from 7 to 7:45. ...

The cast and crew from The WB's "North Shore" reality series descended upon Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar last weekend — and vow to return tonight, if you want to hobnob with the surf milieu. ...

And that's Show Biz ...

Wayne Harada's Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach him by e-mailing wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, phoning 525-8067 or faxing 525-8055.