SHOW BIZ
Bringing island authenticity to Disney World

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

DATELINE DISNEY: Disney World is tweaking its Polynesian Resort Hawaiian show in Orlando, beginning March 1, by adding a storytelling element instead of the usual South Seas song-and-dance panorama. The production will involve the hula genius of kumu Sonny Ching, who is working with a cast of 15 performers mostly from Hawai'i to provide traditional Hawaiian authenticity.

Further, former Islands resident-choreographer Marian (Jay) Morrison will return to the show lineup, appearing as Auntie Wini; "quite a challenge for the mind and body," Morrison said about being back in the performing realm. The story deals with a character named Leilani, a local girl who left the Islands to attend school; the format brings her up to date on happenings while she was away. David Duffy, the show's director, will retain the island motif, but there are plans to include some music from the hit Disney film "Lilo and Stitch," which, by the way, gives Hawai'i something to cheer about: It's just been nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. ...

RANDOM NOTES: Brickwood Galuteria's gig with Imai and Friends (Imaikalani Young and his group) was a rouser at Brew Moon last Friday; might be the place to be the first Friday of each month, if the launcher was a barometer. Among those there and sharing their talent: Little Albert Maligmat, Don Ho, Kimo Kahoano and Melveen Leed. Ho did the nudging: "Before I sing, I want to bring Albert up to sing," he said of Maligmat. Similarly, he wanted "this guy who does me better than me" to do "Night Life," and Kahoano obliged, but also wound up performing his own signature, "Aloha Friday." Leed, of course, had the house in the palm of her hand. Galuteria, an early riser because of his KINE-FM morning show, admits "I have to take a big nap in the afternoon to stay up till 11 p.m." ...

Speaking of Ho: The way he got on the Waikiki Shell stage with Willie Nelson Saturday night? He showed up backstage, peeking in on the country music great, and the impromptu "Night Life" duet resulted. Ho, like Nelson, favors casual dress, taking the spotlight with his characteristic shades, baseball cap, jeans vest, khaki shorts, and yes, slippahs — and that "ain't no big thing" demeanor. ...

Ho's audience at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel on a recent night included Hank Stram, football Hall of Famer and former Kansas City coach. ...

Folks are still buzzing about actor Brad Pitt joining wife Jennifer Aniston for a dinner at Hale'iwa Joe's with her cast mates of "The Untitled John Hamburg Project," now being filmed here. Word was that she wanted to get in a surfing lesson before returning to "Friends" shooting. ...

Aniston had a birthday party Monday night at the Turtle Bay Resort's Bay View Beach, with husband Pitt and co-stars in attendance. ...

And Super Brawl champ Egan Inoue and entourage had a late supper at Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar last Saturday. ... Meanwhile, at Chef Mavro's, Eddie Murray, Orioles ace and baseball Hall of Famer, enjoyed a quiet meal. ...

BITS 'N' PIECES: More auditions are on tap for John Stockwell's Fox TV pilot, "The Break," from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday at the Bay Club of the Turtle Bay Resort. No phone calls — just show up if you're 15 or older. ...

Eric Manke has landed the lead role of Sky Masterson in Kamehameha Schools' spring musical "Guys and Dolls," playing in April. Patrick Fujioka is directing, Kala'i Stern is musical director. Manke played Small Joe — one of Ray Bumatai's kids — in Lee Cataluna's "You Somebody" last summer at Diamond Head Theatre, and he continues to be somebody to reckon with in local theater. ...

And that's Show Biz ...

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, phone 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.