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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, February 18, 2005

FIVE QUESTIONS
Jack Cione's final 'Follies' also the end for revue

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

From left, Becky Hahn, Liz Ashley and Cindy Serkies will salute the military with "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" in the "Mardi Gras Follies" revue that opens tonight. This is the long-running annual revue's last year.

'MARDI GRAS FOLLIES'

Produced by Pearl Harbor Performing Arts Association

Premieres at 7:45 p.m. today (6:30 p.m. buffet); repeats at 7:45 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through March 19, and at 1:45 p.m. (12:30 p.m. buffet) Feb. 27 and March 13

Banyans Club, Pearl Harbor

$35, $45 and $50, includes buffet, show, tax, tip and parking (ID required for entry to base)

473-1703

Jack Cione, a veteran impresario who has directed the "Mardi Gras Follies" for the past 20 years, will hang up his hat with the 50th annual edition bowing tonight at the Banyans Club at Pearl Harbor. This year also marks the finale for "Follies," a colorful extravaganza blending military and civilian talent.

"I am getting a little too old to continue this," said Cione, who turns 70 on March 15. "Every year, I've spent four months a year working on the show; I've had to write, select songs, start Bill Doherty on the costumes since he needs five to six months to work, and then audition and put the show together."

During Cione's long, sensational career, over more than five decades in Hawai'i, he's presented a diverse set of shows, including adult cabaret with naked waiters and strippers — from visitor-oriented Polynesian revues at The Royal Hawaiian hotel's Monarch Room to more exotic fare at Le Boom Boom Club (long gone now, in the International Market Place).

Cione managed to pause and answer Five Questions:

So which came first, your decision to stop directing "Mardi Gras," or the Pearl Harbor organization pulling the plug after 50 years?

"It came down to manpower and cost. We rely on volunteers; over the years, these workers have passed on. We've had trouble getting help. Also, the cost of production has doubled or tripled. When I first started doing this, feathers used to cost $1.50 apiece; now, it's $35. And we have lots and lots of pheasant feathers, which come from China and Brazil, and to costume 52 dancers, who have anywhere from five to eight costume changes, you're talking big money."

So what's going to happen to the costumes?

"Bill Doherty does most of the costumes; the reason we could stay in business as long as we have is because I had a backlog of old costumes from when I did shows for a living. Our finale is always red, white and blue; the opening always is Mardi Gras Carnival, so we bring back these costumes. But everything else in between is new.

"We recycle some costumes; and after we close, Bill and I will save some favorites, but we'll give some to local community theaters, pass on some costumes to cast members, and sell some for Halloween."

What kind of impact has the show had among the military and civilian populations?

"The main purpose of the show has always been to bring the civilians and military together. We used a casting formula of at least 51 percent military, but some years, we have as many as 60 percent military, and fill in with civilians.

"Getting talent is never a problem; our auditions attract 150 to 200 every year. Since karaoke has become popular, many performers have graduated from karaoke to the stage. So the show has brought both communities together."

What memories do you cherish after all these years, and what will you miss most about "Mardi Gras"?

"I'll miss the companionship and the cast members. We bond, with new ones coming aboard constantly. I've had great response, too, from the officers; and I've had great birthday parties because the show always overlaps.

"In the past 20 years, a few have been in every show; but sadly, 14 have died.

"Patti Chrzanowski was our original showgirl. Her husband John was a commander; she is now president of Pearl Harbor Performing Arts, and he's retired but works as our stage manager and spotlight operator. Army Capt. Jack Huntoon (retired) has worked on our light board; technician Monty Neese (retired) has been doing our stage construction since 1970.

"There's always a turnover, since many are military and they are transferred after two or four years. I'll miss the friendships."

What will you do with your "spare" time?

"I'll still teach six tap classes a week at the Waikiki Community Center, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; I have 200 students. I'm still an inactive partner in Panama Hattie's, so hopefully, I'll be able to spend more time on the entertainment there.

"And I wish my wife (Maydelle) and I moved into the Arcadia five years sooner (they've been there for less than a year). I've done some things with the residents there, but my wife and I love playing bridge and canasta; there's bingo all the time. And it's been a long time since I've had breakfast, lunch and dinner without the need to shop for food. My Costco bill has dropped to nothing; we're a one-car family now. ... (Retirement) is the way to go.

"But I do want to do another Polynesian show in Waikiki."