Posted on: Tuesday, October 26, 2004

SHOW BIZ
Local directors to lead all three HOT shows

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

THE LOCAL ANGLE: In-house talent will direct all three of Hawaii Opera Theatre's productions in 2005, which launch in January. Henry G. Akina, artistic and general manager of HOT, will helm "The Flying Dutchman," opening Jan. 28; and "Turandot," beginning Feb. 25. Karen Tiller, HOT's executive director, marks her local stage directorial debut with "Susannah," starting Feb. 11. Tiller recently directed "Lucia" in Memphis, which earned a two-minute standing ovation on opening night. ...

Out Kona way, Jerry Tracy is directing Meredith Willson's "The Music Man" at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu. J.R. Storment is Professor Harold Hill, and Sarah Campbell is Marian the librarian, but one cast member traveled from Seattle to the Big Island to play Marcellus: Jim Seibel. "We are having a blast catching up after his being in the great Northwest for several years," said his good pal Tracy. "Music" continues through Nov. 7. ...

ITEMIZATIONS: Jake Shimabukuro had his "day" at the Oct. 17 Brunch on the Beach, when Mayor Jeremy Harris bestowed a "Jake Shimabukuro Day" proclamation. Mr. 'Ukulele serves as Japan's "Ambassador of Aloha" for Island tourism and is host on the 'Ukulele Channel for Hawaiian Airlines' in-flight entertainment, and his CDs are faves in Japan, Hawai'i and across the nation. ...

Mr. Aloha Friday, Kimo Kahoano, hosted the launch of the new "O" Lounge last Monday (at the old China House location). eightOeight performed, with deejays Kutmaster Spaz and Mr. Goodvybes dispensing the grooves later in the evening. The crowd included media, music and entertainment-industry types, including Tom Moffatt, Al Masini, Jack and Maydelle Cione, Frannie Kirk, Carole Kai, Barbara Saito, George Chun, Dirk Fukushima, Billy V., Kim Gennaula, Guy Hagi, Ron Mizutani, David Booth, Pamela Young, Jill Kuramoto, John Tilton, Sonya Mendez, Tony Conjugacion, Nancy Bernal, Al Waterson, Alan Yamamoto, Tino Ibach, Alan Arato, E' Casanova, Duane and Leona Komine, Chuck Cotton, Jeff Kino, Tess Baraquio, Eric Leterc, Paul Ogata and Kaleo Pilanca. ...

At the recent launch at Bishop Museum of Shari Berinobis' "The Spirit of Hula" book, the spirit of aloha prevailed. Martin Denny, longtime family friend (who "gave" Shari away 23 years ago when she married Tito Berinobis) showed up (wheeled in by daughter-caregiver Christina), and the Berinobises' daughters paid homage to mom — Tiana did a hula, and Shaylene read a poem. Melveen Leed, Marlene Sai, Boyce and John Rodrigues, Glenn Pinho and Jenner Cauton sang; Tootsie Cazimero and Iwalani Tseu danced; Blaine Kia emceed. Many others were there — Joe and Shirley Recca, Leroy and Leina'ala Akamine, Chinky and Linda Mahoe, David Kauahikaua, Dean Lum, George Holokai, Ainsley Halemanu, Mamo Howell, and Buddy and Ann Bess. ...

THIS 'N' DATA: Next up for Allen Daviau, the cinematographer here for this year's Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival: "Charlotte's Web," an $80 million Paramount project, which will have a live-action setting for Charlotte the spider and Wilbur the pig. ...

Endless bummer: Bruce Brown, the surfing filmmaker, had to bow out of his film festival commitment because of broken ribs. ...

Gerard Salonga, brother of singer Lea Salonga, will conduct the small orchestra backing her up in a pair of Blaisdell Concert Hall performances tonight and tomorrow. Visitors to Disneyland have recognized her crystalline voice singing "A Whole New World" as part of the Disney parade. ...

The cast and crew of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" partied recently at Kevin Kasparovitch's Kaspy's, enjoying the falsetto duo Kaea. ...

SHORTS OF SORTS: Because Mel Cabang has opted to focus on private gigs, his Saturday night comedy slot (10:30 p.m.) at Brew Moon has been occupied by Kaleo Pilanca the past three months. "Kaleo and Friends' Comedy Kanikapila Jam," however, winds up after this week's show, since he'll soon be the father of twins and "wanted to free up some time to prepare." Sounds like fodder for a comedy sketch. ...

Daryl Bonilla — the "That's my bank!" dude on the Bank of Hawaii spots, who recently was in Honolulu Theatre for Youth's "The Kona-Town Musicians" — is contemplating standup comedy. Clubs with "open mike" would be his launching pad. ...

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.