Posted on: Thursday, October 14, 2004

SHOW BIZ
TRK's leader Ibach chromes his dome

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

HAIR-RAISER: So why did Tino Ibach, leader of TRK (formerly Tino & the Rhythm Klub), shave his head to become beautifully bald? The buzz is that it's a hipper, more urban look; he's never late to gigs anymore, since he doesn't have to cart around industrial-size bottles of gel, mousse, hairspray (not to mention brushes, combs, picks and mirrors). Best of all, he no longer frets about where his hairline starts and ends — he's got none. See him, and his baldness, at the Esprit at the Sheraton Waikiki hotel. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Publicist Lisa Josephsohn has been out of town for about a week for a family reunion in New Jersey and theater in New York. She lunched at the Upper West Side with Bob Billig, former music director for "Les Miserables," "Miss Saigon," "Chicago" and other musicals and who is prepping for a big benefit in two weeks with beaucoup Broadway stars. She waited at his apartment for a rehearsal with Jerry Orbach, who plays Lenny Briscoe in Josephsohn's favorite TV drama, "Law and Order." "Got to hear him sing 'Try to Remember' from 'The Fantasticks,' which he was originally in," said Josephsohn in an e-mail. "I'm floating on air." Orbach will star in yet another "L&O" spin-off, which debuts midseason. ...

Benihana of Tokyo marked its 40th anniversary and the birthday of founder Rocky Aoki over the weekend, but Aoki wasn't here because of the Japan typhoon that affected his travel plans. Nonetheless, the party continued with former Gov. John Waihee giving the kanpai toast. Cory Oliveros provided entertainment. ...

Lang Lang, the piano wizard in concert with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra this weekend at Blaisdell Concert Hall, will make an appearance from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Sanders Piano. ...

TRADE WINDS: Peter Shaindlin, chief operating officer of the Halekulani Corp., was in New York recently to announce the December unveiling of the five-star resort's new Vera Wang Suite, an exclusive retreat for the most discriminating visitor. Spa Halekulani director Tony Young will be in the Big Apple tomorrow through Sunday, joining other wedding specialists for an event dubbed "Wedding March on Madison." Young will rub shoulders with matrimonial tycoons, including wedding designer Wang, plus Millie Martini Bratten, Bride Magazine editor; Colin Cowie, designer and lifestyle authority; Michelle Roth and Henry Roth, co-designers and "Style Court" TV hosts; and Susan Sterling, Chanel makeup artist. Young, who was in "Jesus Christ Superstar" at Diamond Head Theatre earlier, hopes to catch Broadway shows, too. ...

Remember Josephine "Jo" Flanders, for years a pivotal force of entertainment at the Hilton Hawaiian Village? She turns 90 today, and her daughters, Mari Jo and Lorraine, will mark the occasion with a birthday cake (and the requisite song, natch) at the Hilo Life Care Center, where Flanders has been living. "She still has all her faculties, though she occasionally forget things," said Mari Jo. ...

The Glovers (parents Jade and Dawe, daughter Aubrey) will be part of Koko Marina Shopping Center's Oktoberfest to-do from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday. They're part of Hawaii Starshine Academy's Student Presentation at 4 p.m.; Simplisity also performs. ...

Ray Galas, former Po'okela Award winner, just finished taping two national commercials in the Big Apple, for New York Life Insurance (he'll also be in the print ads). In New York, he dined at Roy's with Michael Hanuna, local actor who was visiting, and a group from Hawai'i that had journeyed for the closing of "Aida," in which Mahiai Kekumu had a role. Galas intends to audition for the Metropolitan Opera. ...

SHORTS OF SORTS: Jasmine Trias called on Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at Malacanang Palace in Manila earlier this week. The Mililani lass, who finished third in "American Idol," has been an instant superstar in the Philippines, where she gave a concert for the first time. Trias appears to have undergone a makeover — though her faux flower still is her trademark. ...

Olympic volleyball gold medalist turned sports announcer Chris Marlowe made a grand impression at Aaron's Atop the Ala Moana when he recently swept into the dining room with legendary athlete Karch Kiraly and four teammates here for the Best of the Beach Volleyball Tournament. Marlowe is the Denver Nuggets' play-by-play announcer. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

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