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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, December 13, 2007

SHOW BIZ
Yule be pleased with 'Plaid Tidings'

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Columnist

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Singer-actress Loretta Ables Sayre is back from New York, where she gathered with fellow principals of the "South Pacific" revival at Lincoln Center starting April 3. "I was in tears," she said of her daily huddles with her co-stars, Kelii O'Hara (Nellie Forbush) and Paulo Szot (Emile DeBecque), whom she describe as "so moving and totally convincing. Every time someone would sing one of their songs, you could hear a pin drop in the room. What camaraderie, what talent; I was just overwhelmed."

Ables Sayre is Bloody Mary, the Tonkinese character, in the first-ever Broadway revival of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic. Of Szot, she said: "Every time Paulo would sing 'Some Enchanted Evening,' it would take everything in my body NOT to openly sob. I have never heard it sung so passionately, tenderly or beautifully."

She brought along macadamia nuts as omiyage (what Islander doesn't do that?), which were hastily nibbled. And already, scores of Ables Sayre's family and friends are buying tickets to see "South Pacific" (available at lct.org). "Manhattan is going to see more local people roaming their streets than they have in a long time," she said. ...

PLAID 'N' PROUD: Finally got to see what the buzz and elation is about at Manoa Valley Theatre. "Plaid Tidings," in a word, is perfection — a nourishing tonic for the holidays, a coffer-filling hit for the theater, a highly integrated and well-oiled cast (Andrew Sakaguchi, Mike Dupre, Sean Jones and Aaron Komo), a magnet for audience returnees. Maddie Hawk and her friend Yassi Quon took in the show a few nights back and waited backstage to get autographs. Maddie is a former pupil of Sakaguchi and both youngsters attend Hanahaouoli School, from which Komo recently graduated. Komo's mom, Carol Takamine (who is Hanahauoli admissions director), was in the audience this particular night, her 10th time since the "Forever Plaid" spinoff opened, and obviously, she was rooting for son Komo, who is a Punahou junior and clearly a budding actor in the theater community, sure to be like Sean Jones, a Mid-Pacific Institute senior, and a frequent participant in local theater. Both are 16. ...

Sakaguchi is the elder statesman (and director-choreographer) of the foursome, and his dance background becomes evident. Dupre, a University of Hawai'i student, also is one to tap for other musicals down the line.

"Plaid" has been extended thrice, with final shows this weekend; if you can beg, borrow or steal a ticket (OK, theft isn't a good idea), go see this one. You'll be forever glad with tidings of good will — and then some. ...

HOLIDAZE: Jamie Hope, a singer with The Thursday Night Band, will be among those spotlighted in Keith and Carmen Haugen's "Peace on Earth" concert at 6 p.m. Dec. 19 in Kapi'olani Park. The freebie features a host of troopers, including our singing mayor, Mufi Hannemann. ...

Jay Larrin mans the ivories and the mike, serenading and chit-chatting in his inimitable style, in a Christmas luncheon concert Dec. 22 at the Captain's Room of the Hawaii Prince Hotel. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., with no-host cocktails; lunch at noon, followed by show at 1 p.m. Tickets: $50. Call 291-3279. ...

Julianne Hough, two-time "Dancing With the Stars" champ, has been spotted dancing in the aisles (OK, shopping, like the rest of us) at Costco Waipi'o. ...

BITS 'N' PIECES: Tito Berinobis' CD-launch party, for his "Night Rhythm" album, was like a mini-Na Hoku Hanohano Awards night, when pals and peers assembled at the Chart House recently with songs and tales to share. Among the gathered: Chart House owner Joey Cabell and scores of show-biz and music-industry types, like Melveen Leed, Rodney Cazimero, Kimo Kahoano, David Kauahikaua, Billy Beimes, Boyce Rodrigues, Hula and Jenner Cauton, Kevin Mau, Imakalani Young, Alan Yamamoto, Jay Larrin, Audrey Fu, Roland Aton, Rudy Molina, Dean Lum, Dean Shimabukuro, Bobby King, Don Stroud, Barry Kim, Dennis Maeda, and folks like former judge Patrick Yim, martial arts hall of famer Al Dacoscos, Aku Bone owner Kim Higa, and Fred, Mark and Yolanda Martinez, proprietors of Jose's Mexican restaurant. ...

Berinobis is a Chart House regular on Mondays and Saturdays, Fridays at the Moana Beach Bar, and plays with Two Point Five Wednesdays and Thursdays at Chart House. Berinobis also is slated to do a live Internet show Dec. 19 originating from the Ala Moana Hotel. ...

SPEAKING OF THE ALA MOANA: It's drastically downsizing entertainment, effective Jan. 1. The music at the Pakele Lounge, where pianist Kit Samson has been one of the diehard anchors on Mondays and Tuesdays, will be pau; Hawaiian music will unfold Fridays and Saturdays only. And apparently, there will be no New Year's Eve to-do this year. The Plantation Cafe also is paring down service, with only breakfasts available. ...

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.

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