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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, July 13, 2004

SHOW BIZ
Comedian gets quick call for movie role

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Laugh lines: Comedian Paul Ogata is on a roll; got a quickie call on July 6 from Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada to hop on a flight to Los Angeles for a film role in Damon Wayans' semi-autobiographical film "Behind the Smile," shot at Masada's Hollywood comedy club. "Of course I said yes and went straight from the station (102.7 Da Bomb) to the airport," said Ogata. In the movie, he plays a dude from Hawai'i named Karate Man and, he adds, "in one scene I got to act with Marlon Wayans, James Belushi and Camryn Manheim (from 'The Practice'). I had three scenes, so let's hope at least one of them makes the final cut." ...

His unexpected absence gave Kaleo Pilanca a slot in the comedy triple bill (with Frank DeLima and Andy Bumatai) last Friday at the Ohana Reef Towers' Palace Showroom. ...

Ogata, who forgot his pants at a comedy club in New York on an earlier trip (the faux pas was mentioned here), got an anonymous note from a concerned fan, who sent a pair of pants. And talent booker Chris Heyd sent him a gift card to The Gap for some trousers. As for the errant pair, local actor Stan Egi heard about the situation and asked his girlfriend, Annie Yee, to retrieve them for shipping to the rightful owner. ...

Star watch: One thing about New York — you just don't know whom you might spot if you keep your eyes open. At a July 2 Broadway matinee of "I Am My Own Wife," Alfred Molina (Doc Ock in "Spider-Man 2"), who is portraying Tevye the dairyman in "Fiddler on the Roof," was trekking in and out of the restroom at the Lyceum Theatre during intermission. He had the rare opportunity to catch a colleague (Jeffrey Mays, starring in the one-man show) because of a special weekday performance when Molina wasn't on stage himself at the Minskoff Theatre. Some folks recognized him, most didn't, perhaps because he sported a beard (appropriate for Tevye, but not for Doc Ock). ...

And it was a nice surprise to encounter Merwin Foard, still the best Javert we've seen in "Les Miserables," in the current revival of "Assassins," in which he plays President James Garfield. ...

Which reminds me: Two locals, Kirk Torigoe and Wendy Calio, are in the ensemble of "Bombay Dreams," the Bollywood musical now on Broadway. There's a growing list of hometowners in New York this summer, including Ann Harada in "Avenue Q" and Isaac Calpito in "Mamma Mia." Local Asian actors who want to be considered for "Bombay" may send a resumé and photo to Tara Rubin Casting, 311 W. 43rd St., 5th Floor, New York, NY 10036. ...

Names 'n' faces: Look for Jordan Segundo in a new Subway TV spot shortly. And he's still finalizing his debut CD, set for a late-summer release. His California tour was a hit, and "Be the One," his first CD single, is moving fast at record shops. For updates, see www.jsegundo.com. ...

Danny Couch is eager to discover musicians who can read music and do background singing for a production he is mounting later this year. Those interested should reach Couch through his office, 672-5980. The recent Na Hoku Hanohano nominee is eager to get back in action now that his health concerns have eased. ...

Uluwehi Guerrero is gearing up for "Heart to Heart," 7:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at Castle Theatre, Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Halau Hula Kauluokala also will perform. Call (808) 244-7469. ...

Random notes: Congrats to Emme Tomimbang, who just received the Communications Achievement Award from Filipinas Magazine in San Francisco. Ex-locals Jan Yanehiro and Emerald Yeh helped Tomimbang celebrate. She was one of 10 honored with a written commendation from California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the program featured voice-overs by ABC News bureau chief and correspondent Ken Kashiwahara, formerly of Honolulu. ...

Dennis Rodman was ensconced at the Hilton Hawaiian Village recently, in the company of a blonde with a tattoo on her back that proclaimed, "Mrs. Rodman." They were sunning on the beach and poolside. ...

Singer Karen Keawehawai'i, her husband, John Farias, and former Honolulu Police Chief Mike Nakamura and his wife dined at the Shore Bird a few nights back. Keawehawai'i joined Rod Tanu and Vince Mendoza singing "I Kona." When the Shore Bird marked its 25th anniversary recently, Blaine Kia and his halau performed. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at , 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.