Comedian Andy Bumatai is launching a prime-time weeknight talk show, "Night Time," which will originate from the Honolulu Design Center and air on KFVE at 9:35 p.m. beginning Monday.

It will follow the K5 News at Nine. "We tape at the Honolulu Design Center (on Kapi'olani Boulevard) and the nocturnal views at the corner of Pi'ikoi and Kapi'olani are the real thing," he said, taking a jab at the faux backdrops on Jay Leno's and David Letterman's talk shows. Jim Bryan, who is producing the show, sees the venture as an alternative — and earlier choice — to the standard late-night talkies. "Night Time" has its first-run airing on KFVE but will be rebroadcast at midnight on CW Digital 93, and cross-promoted on KHNL 8 and KHON 2. ...

Bumatai ventured to Ventura, Calif., last week to perform at Mai's Cafe, with Kanaka Brown on the bill. "It's probably the last standup thing I can do before the talk show launches — it was booked a while back," said Bumatai. Among the audience: former Isle musician Ira Nepus, who now plays music for Diana Krall, and Poncie Ponce, the one-time "Hawaiian Eye" cabbie. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Henry Akina, Hawaii Opera Theatre honcho, will direct "Madama Butterfly" for the Bangkok Opera in August. Yun Deng will be Suzuki, the role she portrayed in HOT's "Butterfly," which Karen Hiller helmed earlier this year. Deng is the sister of Wanda Tse, who is second vice president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce here. ...

Cliffton Hall and wife DeeDee Magno brought son Kaeden, now 2, for a family vacation. The couple, touring in the musical "Wicked," dined with ex-mentor and director Ron Bright and Hall's good friend Michael Bright (Ron's son) and their respective families. Hall plays Fiyero in "Wicked," Magno plays Nessa Rose. ...

GOT DANCE?: The Honolulu Dance Studio's ambitious dance endeavor, "Snow White, the Seven Giant Dwarfs and the Wicked but Beautiful Queen," provided students (and, in the second half, alumni as well) an opportunity to strut their stuff in a myriad of dance styles. The costumed fairy tale featured Alisa Ing as Snow White, Kyle Izumi as the Prince and Candace Whitlow as the Wicked Queen. Enterprising youths as Grumpy (Tiffany Azumi), Doc (Natalie Cannon), Bashful (Pi'ikea Finnegan), Sneezy (Rebecca Madera), Happy (Malachi Morgado), Sleepy (Toni Murakami) and Dopey (Kylie Obata) romped with little ones, from lady bugs to butterflies to bluebirds to dwarf ensembles, to fill the Farrington High School stage with a rainbow of colors and smiley faces. ...

The 20th anniversary segment was a potent dose of hip-hop, jazz, techno-pop rhythms and movements, some with New Hope themes and attitudes, punctuated with the vigor shared by current students as well as grads — who, happily, still have the beat. Nostalgic video from yesteryear added scope and reflection to the here-and-now. ...

ON THE ROAD: Randy and Gay Hongo have been traveling in Louisville, Ky., where he studied at Southern Seminary and earned his Master of Music degree in 1978. Since the couple's Christian Vision organization this year marks its 25th anniversary, Randy wanted to revisit his roots.

"This is where it all started, and it's been good to be back, visiting a lot of old friends, making a lot of new ones, and seeing the beautiful blue-grass horse country for which Kentucky is famous."

Master's Touch, a hula team from Olivet Baptist Church, joined the Hongos in shows at churches, retirement and nursing homes, and hospice facilities. A performance at the Otter Creek Women's Correctional facility in Wheelright, Ky., where 600 women (including 175 from Hawai'i) are incarcerated, was memorable. Inmates got goodie bags with Island munchies and orchids from Greeters Hawai'i — a nice remembrance from home. ...

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.