SHOW BIZ
Local boy finds out what dreams are made of
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
TUNING UP: Hawai'i's Dean Pitchford ("Fame," "Footloose") has collaborated with Matthew Wilder ("Mulan," some No Doubt tunes) to compose a song titled "What Dreams Are Made Of" for the finale of a Disney film, "The Lizzie McGuire Movie," premiering May 2. Shot in Rome and Vancouver, the film targets pre-teens and teens, and stars Hilary Duff as the title character from Disney's popular series that aired in 2001-2002 as part of the Zoog Weekendz on ABC Saturday mornings. Pitchford, the local-boy-makes-good from Saint Louis High School, was home recently for his alma mater's "Pippin" musical. Also on his agenda: a made-for-TV "Footloose" movie on ABC. ...
• • •
WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Folks in The Advertiser's sports department were tickled a bit by a photo accompanying a Details magazine cover story on actor Owen Wilson, clearly taken when he was filming "The Big Bounce" on O'ahu. Wilson was toting a folded copy of our newspaper — displaying the Sports section. ...
Retired Broadway and TV actor Steve Harmon took in "Romance, Romance" recently at Diamond Head Theatre — and it turned into a reunion with musical director Donald Yap. The two worked on the Mainland in shows such as "Gypsy" and "Flower Drum Song," the latter with Tony Award winner Chita Rivera. ...
It was "Star Search" meets "Head of State" the other night at The Laugh Factory, when singer Jessica Sands, daughter of early American idol (and onetime Outrigger Waikiki headliner) Tommy Sands, caught Mario Joyner at the comedy club at the Queen Kapi'olani Hotel. Joyner appears in the Chris Rock movie. ...
The gang at the Hale Koa lu'au show, led by singer-composer Danny Couch, is thrilled that dancer Merlinda Frances Resulta Garma has been crowned Miss Honolulu, en route to her bid to become the next Miss Hawai'i. She's a dancer in the Couch cast, and played his "These Islands" on piano (he arranged it) for her talent portion. ...
Dick Rodby, who helped put Kemoo Farm on the map years ago, is active in the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. Which explains why the Rodby 'ohana has donated the land lease under six condominiums at Kemoo by the Lake (appraised value is $139,000) to the music organization. For many, Kemoo holds cherished memories of Emma Veary and the late Charles K.L. Davis providing many nights of enchantment. "I have 80 autographed pictures of those who entertained (at the club)," said Rodby. Hmmmm. Perhaps one day these collectibles will become part of the hall of fame's traveling collection. ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com; phone 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
