SHOW BIZ
April and June go public with relationship in May
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
SIGHT 'EMS: April Masini, the TV/film producer with offices in Honolulu and Los Angeles, and June Jones, the University of Hawai'i-Manoa football coach, are definitely an "item." She's divorced; he's been separated from his wife for about three years (with a formal split pending), but they've been spotted together, in cozy company, all over town. At the Marriott Ihilani Resort, John Dominis, the Colony Surf, Four Seasons Resort on the Big Island, strolling along quiet beaches. ... And yes, heads have turned, friends say, when they mostly recognize Jones. It might have been hush-hush in months past, but the April and June thing sort of blossomed in May. ...
Trine Mitchum, daughter of actor Robert Mitchum, dined twice at the newly re-opened Ship's Tavern at the Sheraton's Moana Surfrider Hotel. She's here to huddle with Island filmmaker Edgy Lee; the two are collaborating on a new documentary. ...
Robert Conrad, the "Hawaiian Eye" and "Wild, Wild West" TV star, sang a verse of "I'll Remember You" with the audience at Saturday's Perry & Price Hanohano Room show, an homage to his late pal from way back, composer Kui Lee. He was here for the Brian Viloria fight, sitting ringside, but also paused at the Hawai'i Theatre to check out the venue, said theater manager Burton White. No word on whether Conrad would book or do a show at the theater, but he will speak at the Hawai'i Association of Broadcasters convention this weekend, corralled for the gig by Clear Channel Hawai'i's Jamie Hartnett, HAB executive director.. ...
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WINE 'N' DINE: Sergio's, normally open only for dinner, opened its doors for lunch yesterday, thanks to owner George Vandeman and g.m. Larry Schmaus, enabling the Honolulu Academy of Arts to hold its kick-off luncheon for Kama'aina Christmas, a major December fund-raiser that Cherye Pierce and Joyce Tomonari are co-chairing as part of the academy's ongoing 75th annual celebration. With committee members, academy director George Ellis was on hand to savor the culinary art of chef Matt Johnson. ...
Sergio is the destination for Ballet Hawai'i's gala on Sunday, where there will be Italian wine-tasting, compliments of Southern Wine & Spirits, accompanied by entertainment. Leslie Goldman from the Manhattan School of Music will join Pierre Grill for some operatic arias. Grill's L'Escargot, not an appetizer but a musical duo with Tony Chardo, also performs. ...
Wally White, an award-winning set designer and sometimes performer, is gearing up for Dixie Grill's Crabfest in June. White is creating three five-foot crabs to be used at the two restaurants and on the company van, since the inflatable "Buster the Crab," which annually migrates here, is on tour this time and not available. ...
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WHEE, THE PEOPLE: No reservations about it — "Fully Committed" is wildly funny. Saw Andrew Meader play Sam, the actor wannabe who works as a reservationist at a chic New York restaurant (Greg Howell alternates), at The ARTS at Marks Garage. It's a rigorous one-man play requiring good memory and stamina, and Meader delivers. Who hasn't wanted to get a table, by hook or by crook? ...
And Ho'okena's Hana Hou concert Friday night at the Hawai'i Theatre had everything: hula (by Nani Dudoit and Maelia Lobenstein plus Ka Pa Hula O Kauanoe O Wa'ahila), exotica (by the Forbidden Sounds of Don Tiki), surprises (vocals by Bill Kaiwa and Makaha Sons) and discoveries (Raiatea Helm of Moloka'i). And, of course, Ho'okena's impressive brilliance in show packaging, harmonies and audience rapport. Easily, one of the best in the series — and a fitting finale to this year's season. ...
Henry G. Akina, Hawai'i Opera Theatre general and artistic director, is off to Germany to direct "Turandot" at the Mecklenburg State Theatre in Schwerin, as part of a summer festival. Twenty-five performances are scheduled, starting June 12. ...
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.
