SHOW BIZ
Former Miss Hawai'i lands role in interactive play off Broadway

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

SHORT TAKES: Melissa Short, the singing and acting former Miss Hawai'i who left our shores to try her luck in New York theater, finally has landed a role in an off-Broadway vehicle, "Birdy's Bachelorette Party," which premieres Friday (repeating on Fridays) at the Culture Club. Short, who was the title character in "Cinderella" and Christine in "Phantom" at Diamond Head Theatre, portrays a character named Christine in "Birdy's." The show, described as an interactive play, is co-written by Mark Nassar, one of the co-creators of "Tony n' Tina's Wedding," another audience-participation show, so it appears this one is a similar endeavor involving a bride-to-be and what goes on at a pre-marriage party. For details, check the show's Web site, www.birdysbp.com. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Jimmy and Vickie Borges are back from their first New York trip together, and they took in a number of shows, including a couple of biggies such as "42nd Street," "Contact," "Urinetown," "Les Miserables" and "Thoroughly Modern Millie," plus a couple of Frank Sinatra-themed off-Broadway shows such as "Our Sinatra." Borges also fulfilled a lifelong dream, while on a city bus, where he belted out, in Gene Kelly fashion, "New York, New York, it's a helluva town," earning applause from some of the riders. ...

Kit Samson, who returned on May 8 to his Mahina Lounge slot at the Ala Moana Hotel following his bypass surgery, literally was all heart when he greeted old friends and fans by giving them stick-on hearts with a message to take care of the ol' ticker. "I guess it's something I learned from (the late) Kimo McVay," said Samson, referring to those little promotional extras that go a long way. ...

He may play ball in Colorado, but Benny Agbayani remains a kama'aina at heart, appearing on the latest Hawai'i Pacific University TV spot — and wearing an Elvis "Blue Hawaii" aloha shirt from Reyn Spooner. ...

THE LOCAL ANGLE: Artist Peggy Chun remarried her ex, Elroy Chun, two weekends ago at the Wee Kirk o' the Heather Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. She appeared as a pussycat, he as a tiger, and guests were asked to don animal costumes. Former Honolulan and Chun's good pal Suzanne Diamond was a mini-mouse, and she reports that Elvis officiated. Songs played included "Hound Dog" and "Love Me Tender," with everyone dancing in the aisles. "Only in Las Vegas, you might say," said Diamond. "Peggy's wedding ring was a duck band, and Elroy was presented with a huge rhinestone-covered number." Then again, you must remember that Chun's artistry embraces whimsical animals.

Speaking of Vegas: Dawe and Jade Glover took in "Storm" at the Mandalay Bay Hotel during a recent visit and were charmed to see former Show Kidz members Etienne and Guillaume Carreira of Honolulu in the cast. Etienne is a sub dancer who knows all the dancers' roles, and he's all action, on roller skates and skateboards. The production supervisor is Richard Jay-Alexander, whom many know through his "Les Miserables" and "Miss Saigon" connections. ...

Tino of Tino & the Rhythm Klub, regulars at the Esprit lounge of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, sings the national anthem at Friday's Brian Villoria boxing match in Blaisdell Arena. ESPN will be on hand. ...

And that's Show Biz ...

Wayne Harada's Show Biz is published Wednesdays and Fridays. E-mail him at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, phone 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.