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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, November 25, 2008

SHOW BIZ
MVT signs Young, Tatafu for musical

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Columnist

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Manoa Valley Theatre has signed on two of Honolulu's top musical talent for its hilarious two-man spoof "Gutenberg! The Musical!" opening Jan. 14.

Tony Young, who was a riot as the transvestite Frank N. Further in MVT's "Rocky Horror Show" last summer, will be joined by Elitei Tatafu, who was the romantic Marius in Diamond Head Theatre's fall opener, "Les MisŽrables." Rob Duval is guest-directing, and insiders always are dubbing this one the Tony & Tei Tussle. You be the judge when the madness unfolds about two aspiring playwrights trying to mount a musical about the inventor of the printing press, Johan Gutenberg. ...

And while "Frost/Nixon" continues at MVT through the end of the month, there will be a holiday interlude ˆ… a mix of Christmas and jazz, to be specific ˆ… when The Hot Club of Hulaville uncorks a two-nighter Dec. 1 and 2, dubbed "A Christmas in Hulaville." You know the Hula hotties: Sonny Silva, Duane Padilla, Pierre Grill, David Chiorini and Ginai, plus special guests. ...

DATES TO CIRCLE: You might rarely think turkey and Jay Larrin in the same breath, but that's a reality this Thanksgiving, when the veteran singer-composer-pianist provides the mealtime serenades this Thursday at Chai's Island Bistro, Aloha Tower Marketplace. Won't take much coaxing to get him to perform "The Snows of Mauna Kea," "The Ko'olaus Are Sleeping" and "Little Lei Lady." It's a four-course dinner special, $50; with complementary wines, $75. Call: 585-0011. ...

And the Christmas events are mounting. Frank DeLima is ready, too, to dress up as a Christmas tree and render his inimitable "Filipino Christmas" medley when he and Na Kolohe present their annual Christmas to-do at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Pagoda Hotel's C'est Si Bon ballroom. Buffet service is from 6:30 p.m. and a sellout is anticipated. Tickets: $50 adults, $25 children 3 to 10. Call 948-8370. ...

At the Ala Moana Hotel's Hibiscus Ballroom, look for Kapena, Augie T., Halau Kaululauae and Holunape in a Christmas brunch show from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 14. KUMU 97.4's Frank B. Shaner and Mandy Suganuma emcee. Tickets: $55 adults, $27.50 children. Call 944-4333.

SPEAKING OF AUGIE: If you've noticed, he's been on the road in the neighborhoods, including a show Nov. 14 at Dot's in Wahiawa, then at Kaua'i Community College Nov. 22. It's part of his mantra to bring affordable shows to communities in these lean economic times. Next up: a show at 6:30 p.m. this Saturday at Hilo's Palace Theatre ($20; call 934-7010), then at 8 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Maui Beach Hotel ($10 advance, $15 at the door; 479-0576).

Tickets go on sale Saturday for Foreigner's New Year's Eve show Dec. 31 at the Sheraton Waikiki's Hawaii Ballroom. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., with Foreigner taking the stage around 10:30 p.m. and playing through the midnight hour. Tickets: $250 VIP (includes meet-and-greet), $175 platinum front-row seating, $150 gold and $125 silver; at Ticketmaster locations, including the Blaisdell Center box office, Times Supermarkets and Macy's locations. Call 877-750-4400 or go to www.ticketmaster.com. ...

Richard Chamberlain reads from partner Martin Rabbett's "Forever Buster" book at noon Dec. 6 at Borders Ward Centre. ...

TRADE WINDS: Paul Ogata, the local-boy comic heading to Pipeline Cafe for a one-nighter at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 10, may have a Barack Obama tickler, but you have to be local to appreciate. "How about that Obama win," he opines. "Now Punahou can finally get rid of their old slogan, 'Study hard, attend Punahou, and you, too, can marry John Travolta.' " That, of course, relates to Kelly Preston, who is Mrs. T, and the celeb punch line may also be subbed with Michele Wie. ...

When Lisa Josephsohn was in Los Angeles for her Cedars-Sinai checkup, she lunched at Orso one day ˆ… and encountered Mel Brooks ("Monty Python's Spamalot," "The Producers") right behind her. Couldn't resist introducing herself and reveal, "I sleep with Mel Brooks every night," referring to one of her Siamese cats (spoiler: thought it was named after Mel Gibson). Her other "son" is Harry, named after Harrison Ford, with whom she has not yet had a close encounter of the kitty kind. The lunch was hosted by twin sisters Charlotte Kandel and Diana Widom, who were high-powered in the movie industry (Warner Bros. and Paramount, respectively) a few years back, and guests included ballerina Amanda Schull, who'll be seen in the film "Mao's Last Dancer." ...

Former Isle resident Meteliko paused in Honolulu last week, after a trek to Shanghai, and en route to Florida, where he will spend the winter. ...

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.