Posted on: Thursday, June 10, 2004
SHOW BIZ
Restaurateur revels in stardust of N.Y.
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Speaking of the Tonys: Kevin McCollum, who co-produced this year's Best Musical, "Avenue Q" (the whimsical musical with puppets spewing out adult talk), did shows with Ann Harada (the lone Asian American and fellow ex-Islander in the "Q" cast) when both were Punahou School youths. He left after ninth grade, so didn't finish up at Punahou, but she did, in 1981. The upset win for "Avenue Q" (over biggies such as "Wicked" and "The Boy From Oz") proves this was the little show that could. And did. "It is amazing to be so embraced by the Broadway community. We are a little show that started off-Broadway, with no stars, no special effects, no glitz, and our peers voted us the best musical. It's the greatest compliment ... It means we belong," said Harada. ...
Film clips: "Eating Out," an ensemble comedy by Q. Allan Brocka, won the Adam Baran Award for Best Film at the recent Rainbow Honolulu Film Festival at the Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Starring Ryan Carnes, Emily Stiles and Scott Lunsford, it deals with a guy pretending to be gay to meet and conquer girls. Brocka is a big fan of "American Idol" —specifically our Jasmine Trias — since he filed weekly wrap-ups for "Idol" Web site followers. The showcase of gay/lesbian/alternative features, documentaries and shorts attracted more than 2,000 spectators. Other winners: the Phred Love Award for best Hawai'i film went to local director Brent Anbe for his music video "One Night in Bangkok," and Best Short Film went to Dan Castle for "The Visitor." For details, visit www.hglcf.org. ...
And there's been a buzz about "The Singing Forest," a gay-themed feature set to open Sept. 24 at the Signature Dole Cannery Theatres. Previews were shown prior to "Kill Bill, Vol. 2" and "Soul Plane" but eventually were withdrawn when the theater got complaints from viewers that the adult-themed film was being promo'd to kids. Ian Auselmo, Signature general manager, was advised by corporate honchos to pull the preview, which outraged the film's indie distributor, Hollywood Independence. "I hope this is resolved quickly so the picture may be advertised to all the Honolulu audiences looking forward to seeing the film," said Jorge Ameer, the film's writer-director and producer. The Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation is planning an Island premiere Sept. 23. ...
Around town: LaToya Jackson dined at L'Uraku with a few close friends and loved the foie gras! The staff and other guests showed Hawai'i-style cool — no autograph requests, photos or any interruption of the party's private dining experience. ... Kim and Ash Matar's Marbella restaurant (the Kapi'olani Boulevard eatery, in the former Tai Pan site) is becoming a magnet for the arts community. One big reason: the resourceful Mediterranean menu, which provides savory adventures in dining. Another: the French-accented hostess, Nicole, who remembers diners from way back. One recent evening, the diners included world-class photog Franco Salmoiraghi; at another table, Ballet Hawai'i president Susie Schull, hosting fellow board member Phil McNamee and director Jim Hutchison (whose next project is "The Honeymooners," starring Joe Moore and Pat Sajak, June 17-20 at the Hawai'i Theatre); at still another table, theater and restaurant publicist Lisa Josephsohn. ...
More folks are discovering the weekly docent tours at the Hawai'i Theatre, according to co-chairwomen Marian Benham and Linda Letta. Recently, a prestigious group of travel writers from Scottsdale, Los Angeles, Vancouver, British Columbia and Frankfurt, Germany, brought here under the auspices of Arts With Aloha, and even locals John and Betsy McCrary (he's the organist) took the tour. ...
Sunday marks Harry B. Soria Jr.'s 25th anniversary of his "Territorial Airwaves" radio show (5 to 6 p.m., KINE-FM). Palani Vaughan will be special guest. ...
And that's Show Biz. ...
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
Dateline New York: Restaurateur Fred Livingston knows his food — after all, he owns five Island eateries (Trattoria, Sunset Grill, Crouching Lion Inn, Davey Jones Ribs and Don Ho's Island Grill; he sold Matteo's). On his annual trip to check out the dining scene in New York City, Livingston was seated next to comedian Rodney Dangerfield at Carnegie Deli. And when he took in the Tony Award-winning "Wicked" on Broadway, he sat behind Michael Eisner, CEO of the Walt Disney Co. ...
