Nabors' holiday show shines — even in dark
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
The electricity went out about 15 minutes before the final curtain at last night's sold-out "A Merry Christmas With Friends and Nabors" at the Hawai'i Theatre.
A holiday spectacle starring Jim Nabors 7:30 p.m. today; 2 p.m. tomorrow Hawai'i Theatre $45, $55, $75 (discounts for students, military and those 62 and older) 528-0506 Also featuring: Jimmy Borges, Karen Keawehawai'i, Emma Veary, Philip Huber and the Huber Marionettes, the Company Singers, Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Stars, Halau Hula 'O Kawaili'ula, Hula Hui 'O Kupunahala 'O Nu'uanu, and the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra
While other performers may have opted to send home the crowd, Jim Nabors told jokes, answered questions and waited for orders from the show's producer, Burton White.
'A Merry Christmas With Friends and Nabors'
The unplanned second intermission delayed the spectacle for about 25 minutes but the pause did not diminish the jolly-gollee good time from Nabors and his endearing 'ohana.
"This won't be like we rehearsed it," he apologized to the audience, after the problem was resolved by Hawaiian Electric Co. crews.
By then, most of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra musicians, playing by union clock, had packed up and left, save Matt Catingub.
The maestro switched to an unplugged upright piano (instead of electric), joined by the drummer and a bassist, and a trio played out the final moments.
So Nabors turned lemons into lemonade, converting the finale medley of traditional Christmas carols — including his signature "O Holy Night" — into an audience participation moment.
The fans sang along, filling the theater with the sound of aloha. This, after Nabors shared some jokes to bide time, "lit" by valiant ushers with their trusty flashlights.
The concert, repeating tonight and again ;tomorrow afternoon (some tickets remain), should have the full orchestral element. In light of the emergency, one wonders if strings and brass and reeds are really necessary.
The show was impeccable with grace and style to spare, with a cast of youngsters and oldsters sharing the commitment to give Hawai'i what has become the spectacular to launch the Christmas season.
In Karen Keawehawai'i, Emma Veary, and Jimmy Borges, Nabors has colleagues who deliver vocally and emotionally — in solos, in duets, in company numbers.
Throw in Philip Huber's moves with his the Huber Marionettes and you have an awesome cast.
Director Tom Hansen again demonstrated a general's leadership, moving the troops through terrain upstage, downstage, up in the balcony, in the aisles.
The Company Singers, directed by Chuck Anctil; the Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Stars, directed by John Rampage; Hula Hui 'O Kapunahala 'O Nu'uanu, led by Carolee Nishi; and Chinky Mahoe's Halau Hula 'O Kawaili'ula — all are the "Friends" who kept the spirit bright. Even in darkness.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
