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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, September 11, 2003

SHOW BIZ
Directing fire still burns in 70-year-old Bright

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

PERSONALITIES: He sure doesn't look it, but veteran director Ronald E. Bright turned 70 Sept. 2 and celebrated by launching rehearsals for his next production, Windward Community College's revival of "My Fair Lady," opening Oct. 23 at Paliku Theatre. Cast members enjoyed ice cream and cake with Bright, who's officially "retired," but still delights in working with a talented cast. His performers will be Tricia Marciel as Eliza Doolittle, Steve Wagenseller as Alfred Doolittle, Patrick Torres as Professor Henry Higgins, Ken Walters as Col. Pickering and John Gruhler as Freddy Eynsford-Hill. ...

Marciel may be remembered for her role in Diamond Head Theatre's "Chicago" and Manoa Valley Theatre's "Beehive"; she last worked opposite Wagenseller in Hawai'i Pacific University's "Kiss Me Kate." ...

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NAME-DROPPING: Ross Shimabuku, formerly of KGMB-9, has become sports director at the No. 1 station in Phoenix, KTBK, an independent TV station. ...

Darrell Labrado's "I Want My Island Girl" music-and-dance video is completed, and the local lad showcases the song for Billboard magazine's top brass tomorrow at Billboard Cafe (a venue where the likes of Jessica Simpson and Norah Jones had their launch) in New York. Among those who'll take a peek: president and publisher John Kilcullen, editor Keith Girard and other key personnel, including chart editors, music columnists and sales personnel. Clive Davis, record industry mogul, has been invited; Labrado's manager, Bobby Pileggi, thinks "Girl" will help trigger a new awareness in Island music and artists in the months ahead. The music is set to be released Oct. 7. ...

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ITEMIZATIONS: She may be Hawaiian, but Carmen Haugen — who performs with husband Keith at the Pacific Beach Hotel's Neptune's Garden — grew up in a community with lots of Japanese, Portuguese and Filipinos, so she knows a number of ethnic tunes. These include Japanese ditties such as "Ginza No Kan Kan Musume," "Koko Ni Sachi Ari" and "Kimi To Itsumade Me." Some years ago, Keith translated these tunes from Japanese to Hawaiian for Japanese singer Agnes Kimura, so eventually these Hawaiian versions will be in the couple's show. Meantime, they're doing what most folks remember best: Japanese-English renderings. ...

Speaking of Japan: Vance V, a Hilo boy living in Japan, has been a radio disc jockey at 76.1 InterFM in Tokyo and 79.5 Radio in Nagoya. He also is a member of Kawaihae, whose CDs have earned positive reaction from the Japanese. Kawaihae also has been an opening act for visiting locals such as Keali'i Reichel, Maunalua, Jake Shimabukuro, Imua, Ho'okena and Cecilio Rodrigues. ...

Kelvin Chun, a magician, teacher and balloonologist (that's what he calls his balloon artistry), has been tagged a national winner for Technology & Learning's Ed Tech Leaders of the Year program, and will be recognized in the group's December issue. You can see his balloon sculptures at Ronnie's Ice Cream Parlour and Restaurant in 'Aiea and at TGIFridays on the weekends. ...

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BITS 'N' PIECES: Dale Radomski, a stunt whiz with the Hawaiian Stunt Connection (whose work will be seen in Aaron Yamasato's OC 16 series "Blood of the Samurai"), just received an Aurora Award for stunt coordination for a show called "The Trial," shot last year in Los Angeles. After completing "Samurai" here last month, he was a stunt coordinator for a Nihon TV segment that depicts Akebono in a near-death scene, with stuntmen wearing bubble wrap made to look like the sumotori and hurled into the air. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Wayne Harada's Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays; reach him at 525-8067, fax 525-8055 or wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.