SHOW BIZ
Private service priority for late comic Benton
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
NO JOKE: James Grant Benton, one of the true wizards of comedy in Hawai'i, who died Tuesday, lived in an oceanfront Ka'a'awa home that sat between the sea and the majestic Ko'olau range.
"There always was a goat on the mountain," said his widow, Deborah Benton, about a creature they got to know from afar. "And we called him Pi'i Mauna, representing Rap (Reiplinger, the late fellow comic). James often would say to the goat, 'OK, Rap, I'm coming, I'm coming,' so I expect to look over one day and see two goats there."
A public funeral is being scheduled, but she said her husband's wish was to have his ashes scattered in the ocean, so a private ceremony at home with family and close friends is a priority. And as for the "Lolo No Ka Oi" comedy concert June 28 at the Sheraton Waikiki's Hawaii Ballroom, it will go on. The show was to herald the comeback of Booga Booga, and lone surviving Booga member Ed Ka'ahea said the evening will undoubtedly be a tribute to Benton, a notion seconded by the producers ...
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BALLET HIGH: Ballerina Amanda Schull of the San Francisco Ballet (and "Center Stage" film), added a bit of stardust and celebrity to mom Susie Schull's Ballet Hawai'i fund-raising benefit Sunday evening at Sergio's Italian restaurant at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Adding to the atmosphere: Pierre Grill, complete with beret, playing keyboards and accordion, and guitarist Tony Chardo, both of whom sang festive Italian tunes, first in a corner of the restaurant and then as strolling musicians. Only the gondolas were missing ...
And "Movin' Out," a new Twyla Tharp musical opening Oct. 24 on Broadway, will feature several Mainland dancers who have been featured in Ballet Hawai'i's "Nutcracker," including John Selya, Ashley Tuttle, Ben Bowman and Alex Brady. The show, based on 24 classic Billy Joel songs, also features another Ballet Hawai'i alum, Keith Roberts. All are from the American Ballet Theatre and are familiar to local audiences ...
Former Paul Taylor Dance Company member Rachel Berman, who has been home for the past season performing with the Tau Dance Theatre and other companies, is heading back to New York. She was slurping a li hing mui margarita the other day at Compadres and counting the things she'll miss about Hawai'i — like the food and the weather ...
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RANDOM NOTES: Joey Fatone, a member of 'N Sync, was part of a dining party at Sansei Kapalua last week. He remained for the karaoke session — and even got up to sing a tune ...
Kumu Kahua Theatre and the Hawaii Foodbank are partnering on a nifty deal: bring a can of Spam to any Sunday performance of Kumu's production of Lee Cataluna's "Super Secret Squad," and you get $1 off your ticket ...
The Great Waikoloa Food, Wine and Music Festival, set for June 29 at the Hilton Waikoloa as a culmination of Dolphin Days (June 27-29), will feature some stellar talent, including singers Jeffrey Osborne and Pauline Wilson, saxophonist Michael Paulo, guitarist Peter White, trumpeter Rick Braun, keyboardists Clifford Coulter, David Sparkman and David Garfield, percussionists Alex Acuna and Sergio Gonzales, bassist Freddie Washington, and guitarist Fred Schreuders. Call (808) 885-1234 for details ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz appears Wednesdays and Fridays. Reach him by e-mailing wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, phone 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
