Posted on: Tuesday, April 12, 2005
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SHOW BIZ
TV producer takes a reality break
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
TALK ABOUT PEOPLE: Mark Burnett, Emmy-winning television producer of such shows as "Survivor," "The Apprentice," "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart," "The Contender" and "The Restaurant," dined with family at Hula Grill on Maui. It was a break from his multitude of productions, and luckily, no one was fired or voted off the island. ...
"The Massie Affair," the PBS film shown at last week's Hawaii International Film Festival's Spring Showcase, will also get TV exposure at 9 p.m. Monday on KHET, the PBS affiliate. For composer Keola Beamer, who worked on music with Emmy-winning Brian Keane, scoring the film was a joy — linking Beamer's Maui studio to Keane's in Connecticut. Beamer scored the cues for the Hawaiian elements in the soundtrack. Not surprisingly, the film world has been tapping Beamer's talents. Los Angeles filmmaker Darius Shahmir has optioned rights to "It Swims While You Sleep," a scary shark story from Beamer's "Ka 'Olili — The Shimmering" book. Shahmir and his crew spent a week on Maui last month, capturing nine rolls of underwater footage off the coast of Hana, before moving on to Veracruz, Mexico, to get up close and personal with tiger sharks while suspended in a Plexiglas shark cage. Beamer believes the project was guided and blessed by his 'aumakua. ... Looks like Jimmy Buffett's April 19 concert at the Waikiki Shell is heading for a sellout. He may even open a Margaritaville restaurant here; at least that's what he told show presenter Tom Moffatt. ... ISLAND HOPPING: Comedian Augie T. said he experienced one of those "memorable moments" in Hana while on tour. "During my second show, the electricity went out in the whole town," said Augie. "One of the guys went to his car and brought in a fishing light — which he used as a spotlight for 25 minutes of my show." Augie also had an encounter he won't soon forget — "I met Pat Benatar, who lives in Hana (whenever she can), who was in town for a taro festival." ... Augie T. and his Island 98.6 morning partner Lanai team up for a Mother's Day concert from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (brunch) and 5:30 to 8 p.m. (dinner) on May 8 at the Grand Ballroom of the Radisson Prince Kuhio Hotel. Da Nuuanu Brothers also take the stage. Tickets are $44.95 (adults), $22.95 (juniors 6-12) and $5 (keiki 5 and younger) for either the brunch or dinner option. ... Robert Cazimero must still be in the clouds after his Halau Na Kamalei swept the laurels at this year's Merrie Monarch Festival. His monthlong birthday celebration last month must've produced good fortune; it included a high-tea birthday blast at Wai'oli Tea Room in Manoa Valley, according to restaurant manager Brian Jahnke. ... RANDOM NOTES: Elmo, Big Bird and the Cookie Monster are among the ageless "Sesame Street Live" faves returning to Hawai'i with a new 25th anniversary production, "Elmo's Coloring Book," which comes to Blaisdell Concert Hall for 15 performances, staged June 16-26. Tickets — $11, $15 and $19 — go on sale April 30. ... Tonight's opening: "Cats" at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Reminder: The liftoff includes $100 opening-night tickets that benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawai'i. For availability, call 973-5683, ext. 240. ...
ITEMIZATIONS: When Lisa Diaz, science teacher at Kealakehe Intermediate School in Kona, brought a dozen students from her campus and Konawaena Middle School to compete in the Hawai'i State Science Fair last Wednesday at Blaisdell Center, the group stopped by Dixie Grill on Ward Avenue, where owner Ed Wary provided dessert with his compliments. A big thrill: Their welcome was promoted on the restaurant's marquee. ... Just a few doors down at Morton's the Steakhouse at Ala Moana Center, 3 Doors Down supped on steak and veggies to work up energy for their Pipeline concerts last week. And Jonathan Davis, front man of Korn, also had a Morton's meal. ... The folks at Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific are all smiles: The First Hawaiian Rehab Golf Challenge, May 25 at the Hawai'i Prince Golf Club, is already sold out. Having Walter Dods as honorary chairman and Don Horner as tournament chairman helped "sell" the early slots, according to Rehab Foundation chair Michael W. Perry. ... 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.
