SHOW BIZ
'Saigon' is already hitting high notes

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

BACKSTAGE BITS: Melina Lillios, musical director of "Miss Saigon" (opening tonight at Army Community Theatre's Richardson Theatre at Fort Shafter), says she's found a valid indicator for taking on a show. "I have to have the goosebump factor," she said. "I have to have passion for the music."

"Saigon" has been an overwhelming musical experience for Lillios. "There must be 100 pages of music," she said of the score. "And when you do rehearsals with a piano, without the orchestra, you're reminded how difficult this all is. It's like opera on so many levels."

Lillios is blessed with not just an orchestra pit, but an orchestra of 18 players, more than double the largest local musician group she's led on other Island stages. "Of course, 18 musicians make my work twice as difficult, but this has been worth the effort," she said. "These musicians don't get paid a dime."

When she's not conducting, Lillios is a communications professor at Hawai'i Pacific University's downtown campus and a private vocal and piano teacher. Next up? "The Full Monty" this fall at Diamond Head Theatre. ...

Willy Falk, the Tony-nminated original Chris in "Saigon," joined voice teacher Neva Rego at one of director Vanita Rae Smith's "Saigon" rehearsals last week, and told the local actors they are definitely "Broadway caliber," which pleases Sam Hesch (playing Chris) to no end. Falk was particularly impressed with Shawna Masuoka as Kim, Hesch and Keoki Kerr (as John). ...

NAMES 'N' FACES: Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock (and soon to be seen bewigged in "Be Cool") has been chilling out here. Dined with family at Ruth's Chris Steak House, and restaurant manager Kay Kaneshiro said he was "super nice." ...

Johnson attended the Royal Hawaiian lu'au show and wound up dancing with show producer Cha Thompson. ...

Jack and Cha Thompson, of Tihati Productions, are thrilled to be named Outstanding Alumni of Farrington High School. They'll be fÆted at noon Sunday at the Renaissance Ilikai. To Cha, it's a bigger laurel than the time they were 1986 Outstanding Business Persons and breakfasted with President Bush in Washington ...

The Society of Seven performed four sell-out shows last weekend at the Hawai'i Theatre, a joyous welcome for newcomer Lani Misalucha, the Filipina songbird with incredible pipes. Anthony Ruivivar, a co-star of NBCs "Third Watch" and son of SOS co-founder Tony Ruivivar, ordered up backstage food from Roy's for the closing. ...

OSCAR PICKS: Here's how we see 'em Sunday: Best Picture, "The Aviator" ... Best Director, Clint Eastwood, "Million Dollar Baby" ... Actor, Jamie Foxx, "Ray" ... Supporting Actor, Thomas Haden Church, "Sideways" ... Actress, Hilary Swank, "Million Dollar Baby" ... Supporting Actress, Cate Blanchett, "The Aviator" ... Song, "Accidentally in Love" from "Shrek 2."

And that's Show Biz. ...

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067, or fax 525-8055.