SHOW BIZ
'Chicago' poised to win several Oscars Sunday

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE: As has been the tradition of this column for many years, we'll go out on a limb and predict the Oscars outcome this Sunday.

Best Picture: "Chicago." My kind of musical, this. Lavish, rapturous musical productions laced with story-progressing sizzle. Far more satisfying than the virulent "Gangs of New York."

Best Actor: Jack Nicholson, "About Schmidt." OK, he's won his share of laurels, but he's a peer favorite and likely will bypass Daniel Day-Lewis, who was terrific in "Gangs."

Best Supporting Actor: Chris Cooper, "Adaptation." Wacko but wonderful, in a moving and memorable performance.

Best Actress: Nicole Kidman, "The Hours." A nose ahead of Julianne Moore, "Far From Heaven," who could win here if she loses her supporting-actress bid.

Best Supporting Actress: Catherine Zeta-Jones, "Chicago." She had sass, sizzle and "All That Jazz." Every nominee turned in rich, fulfilling performances — but along came Zeta-Jones.

Best Director: Rob Marshall, "Chicago." He's put the musical format back on the front burner.

Best Song: "I Move On," by John Kander and Fred Ebb, "Chicago." A so-so category this year, but "Chicago" will win it.

Tune in to ABC (KITV-4) Sunday to catch the action. ...

HERE 'N' THERE: Larry Paxton, who co-stars with Isabelle Decauwert in "Romance, Romance," beginning tomorrow night at Diamond Head Theatre, will take a sabbatical from his UH music department post this fall. His destination: Amsterdam, Netherlands, where he will teach voice at an opera studio. ...

Rhonda, the single-monickered "Queen of the South Pacific," was nibbling her chicken when she took in a matinee performance of the "Mardi Gras Follies" at The Banyans last weekend at Pearl Harbor. However, because cast member Jessie Robins had forgotten some of his credentials to get through the security at the Pearl Harbor gate, Rhonda was summoned to take the stage and sing a song or two not usually in the musical revue. And apparently, Rhonda gets around — took in "Seduction" at The ARTS at Marks Garage, too (the show has been held over for two performances, at 9 p.m. March 28 and 29). You can see Rhonda do her regular shows at 7:45 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at Esprit nightclub at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. ...

A tasty treat: "Hawai'i Cooks With Roy Yamaguchi," the PBS Hawai'i series, kicks off its sixth season nationwide in April. An invitational party March 28 will acknowledge the launching. ...

RANDOM NOTES: Filmmaker Edgy Lee has received gratifying responses, from young and old alike, to an article in these pages about her planned TV documentary on the widening "ice" problem. Former football coach Skippa Diaz signed on. A Mid-Pacific Institute teacher said he would start up a fund drive. Poignant calls included one from a female addict and another from a family member who lost a youth — a victim of ice — who couldn't take it anymore and was found hanging in Waiahole. ...

Actress Lolly Susi will appear in "Absolutely," an adaptation of a Pirandello play, starting April 28 at London's Windhams Theatre. It stars Joan Plowright and is being directed by Franco Zeffirelli. ...

If you relish the sounds of Ikona, the beloved but disbanded group that featured Ledward Ka'apana, here's a heads up: Ka'apana will reunite with his Ikona partners Alika Odom and Ryan Tang at the Great Hawaiian 105 KINE Lu'au event, from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Also performing: The Makaha Sons, Na Palapalai, Ho'okena, Mel Cabang, Frank DeLima, and the Brothers Cazimero. Tickets are $36.50 for adults, $25 for keiki 4 through 12.

And that's Show Biz ...