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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Thursday, May 12, 2005

SHOW BIZ
Looking on the Bright side of Hawai'i's theatrical talent

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

NIGHTLIFE TIP: Yvonne Elliman, the disco era queen ("If I Can't Have You") and "Jesus Christ Superstar" icon who played Mary Magdalene on stage and in the film version, makes a rare guest appearance with Zanuck Lindsey, from 9 p.m. to midnight today at the W's Diamond Head Grill.

Elliman has been writing and testing fresh music, and because Lindsey will be venturing to New York shortly, tonight's gig doubles as an aloha send-off, too.

BRIGHT LIGHTS: That Ronald E. Bright tribute, held Saturday and Sunday at Windward Community Theatre's Paliku Theatre, was a sell-out at both shows — and validated Mr. B's impact on local theater. All the performers worked with Bright over his 48-year teaching and directing career. Bright himself directed and occasionally took to the stage to man piano.

The evening — a benefit for Paliku —shows we have emerging professionals who have made (or are making) an imprint — never forgetting their origins. Like Mahiai Kekumu, who was in "Aida" on Broadway (and played Ramires in a Saint Louis production at Mamiya Theatre); he left town days ago for New York, to begin rehearsals for the role of Chistery in the Tony-Award-winning "Wicked," opening June 24 at Chicago's Ford Center for the Performing . And Jordan Shanahan, a star-in-the-blooming stage in the opera world, who performs with the Sante Fe Opera and the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

Folks like Jewl Anguay, Tori Anguay, Robert Orosco, Jade Stice and Alex Selma have had exposure and experience on the legit stage; their polish was seen in stage presence, hair, makeup, poise and overall confidence.

Others, such as Michael Bright, Jade Anguay Bright, Sarahlea Gamiao Kekuna, Allan Lau, John-Paul Tai, Tracy Yamamoto, Amber-Marie Lopez, Tricia Yamamoto and Johnson Enos, have found a niche teaching and performing locally, with veterans like Steve Wagenseller, Patricia Lei Murray and Tony Young contributing in their own ways. (Marcelo Pacleb wasn't present, but his 24/7 DanceForce cast was there.)

Jodi Leong and John Bryan not only co-hosted, but did vocal and choreographic turns throughout the evening.

And teenager Sean Jones could elect to become theater pros, too; ditto, the Castle Performing Arts Center juveniles rendering excerpts from a recent Castle musical.

Theater manager Tom Holowach was all smiles. "I wish we could hold over this show for more playdates," he sighed. ...

AROUND TOWN: Frank DeLima isn't just losing weight — he and his sidekicks, Bobby Nishida and David Kauahikaua (who comprise Na Kolohe), will be losing their performing spot at the Queen Kapi'olani Hotel after performances tomorrow and Saturday night. Consequently, the comedian is seeking another venue in time for the summer trade. ...

Channing Weir, the delightful 10-year-old opening tonight in Army Community Theatre's "The Secret Garden," did her first-ever radio interview Saturday with Michael W. Perry and Larry Price on KSSK's John Dominis show last Saturday. The co-hosts teased star Larry Paxton that his "leading ladies are getting younger and younger," and had to laugh when the home-schooled youngster didn't skip a beat when asked what she wanted to do when she grows up. Her response: "Be on Broadway!" ...

Bill Maloney, executive producer of " 'Ohana Road," the popular automotive magazine show airing Saturdays and Sundays on KITV, will be off to Costa Mesa, Calif., for meetings with the Auto Club of Southern California and Ford Dealers' Ad Association; he's looking to take the show to Channel 9 in Los Angeles in October. ...

RANDOM NOTES: When the "Lord of the Dance" cast and crew went to the Blaisdell Concert Hall on Sunday for their final matinee, they found a treat in the green-room lobby: a buffet of Coldstone Creamery ice cream, courtesy of Puamana Crabbe, a fashion designer who worked on the costume crew, who also represents the ice creamery. Calories, you ask? The dancers work it all off, with their vigorous and rigorous on-stage workout. ...

Justin Brossier will be Benjamin, Patrice Scott will be Mrs. Robinson, Alan Cole will be Mr. Robinson and Melanie Garcia will be Elaine when Manoa Valley Theatre's "The Graduate" is staged starting June 1 (a weeklong delay, due to contractual obligations of a touring company). Betty Burdick is guest-directing. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

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