Actor's experience honed on many of life's stages

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

The cast of Army Community Theatre's "The Secret Garden" includes, clockwise from left, TX Tario, Randl Ask, Laurence Paxton and Channing Weir. Ask is a show biz veteran with credits on- and off- Broadway and in television. He is also an ordained minister. Gene Allen 'THE SECRET GARDEN' A musical by Marsha Norman (book and lyrics) and Lucy Simon (music), based on the book by Frances Hodgson Burnett, produced by Army Community Theatre Premieres at 7:30 p.m. Thursday; repeats at 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, through May 28 Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter $14 and $17 general, $8 and $10 children 438-4480, squareone.org/ACT

Ask, who admits to being "fortysomething," will co-star in Army Community Theatre's "The Secret Garden" musical, starting Thursday at Richardson Theatre. He'll appear as Dr. Neville Craven in the tale about a girl who nurses a dying garden back to life and also restores life to her grieving uncle and his sick son.

Ask Ask about his past, and you get a volley of curious, if not surprising, snippets.

For instance, he's had a successful off-Broadway and on-Broadway career, once worked with Jerry Seinfeld doing stand-up comedy, and was a regular cast member of "Mad About You" and "Lois and Clark" on television. He is also an ordained minister; now he's studying to get his credentials (a master's and a doctorate) in Chinese medicine.

"I guess it all comes back to being a performer," Ask said. "I used to get aches and pains while doing a show, so for part of my studies I moved to Maui for six years, where I was a faculty member at the Maui School of Therapeutic Massage, which parlayed me into the World Medical Institute in Honolulu. For my doctorate, I will return to New York City in 2006, and, I guess, do shows in between."

His "serious" career options started when he was treated with acupuncture and herbs for stress and injury from the rigors of putting on a show. He's been dabbling in Chinese medicine since the mid-'90s but recalls related therapy since the 1970s, when he started doing a gamut of productions.

And he's been putting on a blitz, mixing theater with stand-up comedy — and more. Not just performing in, but writing plays, too.

"I was in the American premiere company of 'Thoroughly Modern Millie,' and I got to be good friends with Sutton Foster (who earned a Tony Award for the musical in the title role)," he said. "I also worked with Matthew Broderick in 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,' and because I had the pleasure of sharing space in a dressing room next to his on stage, I got to spend a lot of time with him and got to know him better than most.

"We still e-mail each other. If you can say one thing about Broderick, he knows how to have fun. He taught me so much about not being concerned what people think. He often made his shows fun, because he changed things all the time. It was a great experience."

The "How to Succeed" cast also featured Megan Mullally, currently co-starring as Karen on TV's "Will and Grace," and Ask remembers her "as a consummate professional. She really hit the mark."

He said he's yearned for a show biz career ever since he was a kid. When he moved to New York City, fresh out of high school — at age 18 — he wound up in a comedy mix with Jerry Seinfeld, Eddie Murphy, Jay Leno and other future biggies. "It was an exciting time. I have so much respect for Jerry Seinfeld; he deserves everything he got; he's a tremendously kind man, and really patient. He taught me about trusting my instincts."

Ask did stand-up for three years, then left to go into the ministry "and became a fundamental preacher — an ordained clergy, if you can imagine," hesaid. "So from the stand-up pulpit, I went to the church pulpit, at Bible College in Kansas. But I also had a congregation in Ohio, Detroit and Texas."

The bright lights still called.

His first role in New York was in the off-Broadway musical "Pageant," a spoof of beauty pageant contestants. He originated the role of Miss Bible Belt, playing the role in drag and giving 600 performances. In 2006, Ask will direct the same show for Manoa Valley Theatre.

He also is scripting a play called "Madame Bootzie," about a psychic lounge performer, in which he'll play the gypsy woman who is funny and, well, a cross-dresser. "I hope to have this produced when I return to New York after 2006," he said.

Living and working in Hawai'i has had a mellowing effect on Ask. "I was a diehard New Yorker when I came here: rude, fast, need-everything-now sort of a guy. Not a nice person. But I've learned that there's more to life than hitting at things and demanding."

He said his New York colleagues — Broderick, Jonathan Freeman (currently starring in "The Producers") and Mary Testa, a two-time Tony nominee with whom he co-wrote a play called "Spit It Out" — can't fathom his decision to set up roots in Hawai'i.

"These people have done theater all their lives and never did another job," he said. "They don't understand that I can do what I do and still be happy. Here, not there. In New York, they just don't understand my spiritual side; they perceive my time here as one for self-introspection, spiritual growth, when, in fact, I've had a great time."

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

Curtains up on drama, improv, sci-fi

Let's see ... will it be a marital drama or a music-and-dance tribute? Maybe improv or a sci-fi adventure? How about a '50s rock 'n' roll musical or a retelling of "Arabian Nights" tales? They're all happening on stages around the island. Details, details:

'Ventriloquist'

From left, Lillian Jones, Jodie Yamada and Mimi Sadoshima are among the cast of "Ventriloquist," beginning Thursday at Kumu Kahua downtown. Brad Goda

The show premieres at 8 p.m. Thursday, repeating at 8 p.m. Thursdays though Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays, through June 12, at Kumu Kahua, 46 Merchant St. Tickets are $5-$16. 536-4441.

'Mr. B: A Salute to Ron Bright and his Students'

Kokua Paliku, the fund-raising arm of Windward Community College's Paliku Theatre, presents a tribute to stage luminary Ronald Bright and his legacy of students/stars. Among Bright's students who have gone on to perform on Broadway and beyond, and have offered their talents for this show, are Jade Stice, Jade and Jewl Anguay, Tricia Marciel, Michael Bright, Jordan Shanahan, Johnson Enos, Alex Selma, Robert Orosco and Mahi'ai Kekumu. Marcelo Pacleb will choreograph and his 24/VII Danceforce troupe will perform.

Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (sold out); and at 2 p.m. Sunday at Paliku Theatre. Tickets are $50. 235-7433, www.eTicketHawaii.com.

'Neptune 6'

The improv comedy troupe On the Spot offers a sci-fi "TV series" in the tradition of "Red Dwarf," "Babylon 5" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." Audience members are encouraged to bring props, which the actors can use on stage. The cast includes Rod Cachola, Garrick Paikai, Chris Riel, Shawn Thomsen, Danel Verdugo and Lizzie Wolfe and special guest R. Kevin Doyle of Loose Screws.

Showtimes are at 10 p.m. today and 8 p.m. Saturday at The ARTS at Marks Garage. Tickets are $10 general, $7 students. 531-3113.

'The Madhouse : A Comedy Extravaganza'

Leeward Community College students offer edgy humor and improv sketches in a production that made its premiere last night. It's intended for mature audiences.

Showtimes are at 4 and 8 p.m. today at the Leeward Community College Lab Theatre. Admission is $3, first come, first served. 455-0549.

'The Revenge of the Space Pandas or Binky Rudich & the Two-Speed Clock'

Don't you just love that title? "Space Pandas," written by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet, is a sci-fi comedy about three pals who face alien adversity while traveling through space and time. The show will be performed by sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders of Kawananakoa Middle School and a returning cast of the school's drama club alumni, the newly formed Kawananakoa Actors' Guild. Brian Lee Sackett directs; Daniel Mew is artistic director.

Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday at the school's auditorium (49 Funchal St.). Tickets are $5 at the door. 587-4430 ext. 287.

'Arabian Nights'

Scheherezade (Gilani Moiseff) and the Pastrycook (Tucker Haworth) beg for mercy from the caliph, Harun al-Rashid (Adam LeFebvre), in Mid-Pacific Institute School of the Arts' production of Mary Zimmerman's "Arabian Nights" at the Kawaiahao Recital Hall.

Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday, repeating at 7:30 p.m. May 13-14 and 2 p.m. May 15 at Mid-Pacific's Kawaiahao Recital Hall. Tickets are $10 general, $5 seniors. Reservations: 973-5066.

'Grease'

The classic rock musical about life and love at Rydell High School in the 1950s is presented by the Kapolei Center for the Performing Arts and Kapolei Complex Drama Club. The show features hit songs, including "Greased Lightning" and "Summer Nights" and most famously starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in a film version.

Middle school and high school students will take part in this production. The Greasers include Joshua Duhaylonsod, Coleman Brindley, David Llenado, Christian Gilbert and Cameron Olson; the Pink Ladies are Stephanie Nesbitt, Jessica Benzon, Eileen Castellano, Ellise Carlos, Anna Bermudo, Julie Nash and Connie Ryan. It's directed by Rachelle Amparo.

Showtimes are at 7 p.m. today and Saturday and May 13-14 at the Kapolei High School Forum, 92-5007 Kapolei Parkway. Tickets are $7 at the door, $5 advance. 693-7000, ext. 262.