Posted on: Tuesday, December 14, 2004
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SHOW BIZ
Caldarone cast as Engineer in 'Saigon'
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
THE HEAT IS ON: Joey Caldarone has been cast as The Engineer in Army Community Theatre's "Miss Saigon," which opens Feb. 24 at Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter. Caldarone, an actor, artist and designer, previously co-starred in Diamond Head Theatre's "Chicago" and Manoa Valley Theatre's "Batboy: The Musical." Director-producer Vanita Rae Smith is completing casting for the Tony Award-winning musical, and the buzz is that Caldarone is hot. Caldarone divides his time between New Jersey and Honolulu, and surely, "Saigon" — and his "American Dream" solo — should make him a "somebody." ...
ALOHA LIVES: When the director of community activities of the U.S. Army Garrison in Hawai'i heard that the cast and crew of Army Community Theatre's "The King and I" agreed to return last Wednesday to complete Act II of the weather-caused blacked-out (and postponed) performance from the previous Friday at Richardson Theatre, he made sure pizza and drinks were provided, from the Army Bowling Alley, for a post-show reception. Now, that's a closing night to remember — and a reflection of the spirit of the season, said producer-director Smith. And "King" Ray Bumatai did stand-up comedy, since the show was "short." He had promised one of the youngsters playing the king's children to be the chosen child hoisted at the final curtain call. He selected one and did the usual bows ... but got heat from another later, who exclaimed, "You said you would pick me up." Kings are not perfect, after all. ... BACKSTAGE BITS: Diamond Head Theatre artistic director John Rampage is off to shivering climes in Kalamazoo, Mich., to catch the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre's production of "Beauty and the Beast." The Civic is the first community group mounting the Disney favorite; Rampage is being joined by Wisconsinite Willie Sabel, who did set designs for DHT's "Hello, Dolly!," and who has been tapped to do sets for "Beauty" here, when it opens next July 15. Hence, the reconnaissance mission. ... Diamond Head Theatre has embraced online ticketing and reports its first international sale — from Japan — for "Seussical," the Dr. Seuss musical that has been extended for three performances, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 21 and 22. Guest choreographer Tim Albrecht's parents flew in from Great Falls, Montana, for the opening; Albrecht also got an opening night e-mail from Rosie O'Donnell, who starred as the Cat in the Hat in the original Broadway production, and effused: "Oh, the thinks you can think ... if you're willing to try. Break a leg." Albrecht's tie with O'Donnell? He was assistant choreographer for her TV show. ... SENIOR MOMENTS: Jack and Maydelle Cione, residents of the Arcadia retirement facility, are taking 100 fellow residents to see the Society of Seven Las Vegas tonight at the Outrigger Waikiki. "For many of them, it's their first Waikiki visit in years," said Jack Cione. "The seniors don't go there, because they think it's crowded and dangerous." These outings, via rented bus, enable the seniors to see various shows, under the leadership of the veteran show presenter himself. The first excursion was to John Hirokawa's "Magic of Polynesia" at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, and the next one will be in February, when another 100-member delegation takes in "Mardi Gras Follies" at Pearl Harbor, which Cione will direct for the last time. Tomorrow night, the Ciones embark on the 11-day Hawai'i-Fanning Island cruise aboard the Norwegian Cruise liner. ...
RANDOM NOTES: Ian Somerhalder, who plays Boone on ABC-TV's "Lost," was spotted working out at Kane'ohe 24 Hour Fitness last week. He just marked his 26th birthday on Dec. 8, as did Dominic Monaghan, who plays Charlie on the same hit show. ... And that was Jasmine Trias shopping with pals the other night at Ala Moana Center ... unrecognized by most. ... "Emme's Christmas Island Moments," taped Wednesday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, was a rouser assembling Jordan Segundo, Pauline Wilson, Hapa, Melveen Leed, The Makaha Sons, Willie K, and hosts Al Waterson, Harry B. Soria Jr., Brickwood Galuteria and Kimo Kahoano, a fete to mark Emme Tomimbang's 10th anniversary. For "O Holy Night," Willie was joined by The Makaha Sons plus the Voices of Praise — a chicken-skin moment you can experience thrice on TV — at 9 p.m. tomorrow and 4 p.m. Christmas Day on KHON-2 and again at 8 p.m. Christmas Day on PBS. ... And that's Show Biz. ...
Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, or fax 525-8055.
