AROUND TOWN
Show-biz notables cast in 'You Somebody'

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Loretta Ables Sayre, an acknowledged jazz songstress and sometimes actress, will play Pua Lusa (Ma) and Ray Bumatai, a veteran of community theater and film and TV work, will portray Mr. Lusa, in Lee Cataluna's new musical, "You Somebody," which will be premiered July 19 through Aug. 4 at Diamond Head Theatre.

Others in the production, which features songs by Keola Beamer, include Uilani Kapua'akuni as Trina Lusa and Eric Manke as Little Joe Lusa. The part of Bobby Lusa, described as Ma's second child, age 15 or 16, is yet to be cast.

The show revolves around the Lusa family's quest to be famous in Hawai'i, to "be somebody." Thus, the family embarks on a series of misguided, outrageous adventures, entering contests — keiki hula, karaoke, 'ukulele-playing — in their quest to win fame.

Three former real-life Miss Hawai'is — Patricia Lei Anderson Murray, Candes Meijide Gentry and Cheryl Toma Sanders — will appear as (what else) Miss Hawai'i No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. Keith Kashiwada appears as Lucky Fortunato, Elitei Tatufu Jr. is Jason Baga, Karen Hironaga is Eloise Baga, William Kahele is Mr. Baga and Ellen Minkin, Kristina Sault, Lauren Chong and Tatiana Wilson as the Baga children.

Auditions for the Bobby Lusa role will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the DHT Rehearsal Hall. For details, call 733-0277, ext. 309.

• Tickets: $10-$40, on sale at the box office.
• Reservations: 733-0277.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly misspelled Eric Manke's name.