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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, September 6, 2009

Nabors ready to sleigh 'em again in Christmas show


By Wayne Harada
Special to the Advertiser

Jim Nabors ends a two-year hiatus when he returns for "A Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors" at the Hawai'i Theatre on the heels of Thanksgiving, in a three-show run (at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 27 and 28 and 2 p.m. Nov. 29), as I first mentioned in an online blog.

"I'm excited," said the show biz legend, who had ended a 10-year tradition in 2006. He will reunite with chums Karen Keawehawai'i, Emma Veary and Jimmy Borges, as well as maestro Matt Catingub and Philip Huber and Huber's Marionettes. Nabors, 79, turns 80 next June 1, and the return makes his eighth decade merry. "I can't tap dance anymore," he said of his high-kicks, though he's reasonably fit and hopping about since undergoing knee surgery. Other cast members will be announced soon. Tickets — $25, $45, $55 and $75 — go on sale Sept. 29. ...

SHOW BREEZES: "Stomp!" is returning to the Hawai'i Theatre for the holidays, but details are not yet finalized. It's one of the periodic charms that late publicist Elissa Josephsohn promoted and one she had been monitoring prior to her death last month. Burton White, artistic director of the Hawai'i Theatre, admits it's heading this-a-way. "But there's no contract (yet)," he said. ...

"A Cazimero Christmas," with The Brothers Cazimero, will unfold at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Hawai'i Theatre, with Robert and Roland Cazimero joined by Leina'ala Kalama Heine, Halau Na Kamalei and the Ladies of the Royal Dance Company. Ticket details will be announced later. ...

COCONUT WIRELESS: Singer Amy Hanaiali'i and manager Allen Sviridoff have parted company. The split occurred about the same time she gave a listening party for her "Friends & Family of Hawai'i" CD launch at the Pacific Club. Ironically, the CD boasts liberal mentions of his name, and he even scripted the liner notes. ...

Al Waterson was ring announcer for the recent "Island Assault" IBF world title match between local boy Brian Viloria and Jesus Iribe, broadcast abroad and earning Waterson raves for his ring work. Some are calling him "the Michael Buffer of Hawai'i." ...

NOTABLE 'N' QUOTABLE: Best line, when dad Jack de Mello and son Jon de Mello earned Kahiau laurels from the Waikiki Community Center in the Sheraton Waikiki's Hawaii Ballroom recently, occurred when Jack de Mello was at the mike, mentioning that someone asked him if he's ever stopped composing music. "A composer never retires ... he decomposes," de Mello deadpanned, to chuckles and applause. One of his classic songbirds, Emma Veary, had back problems so could not journey over from Maui, so her slot was ably filled by the aforementioned Amy Hanaiali'i, whose songs included "In This Life," an homage to Mountain Apple label-mate Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, one of Jon de Mello biggest stars. Music of Polynesia and Mountain Apple Co. troupers Nina Keali'iwahamana, Brother Noland and Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole also took the stage. Kanaka'ole represented the fourth generation of his fabled family recorded by the de Mellos: great-grandma Edith Kanaka'ole, grandma Pua Kanahele and mom Kekuhi Kanahele-Frias came before him. ...

NAME-DROPPING: Local boy Anthony Ruivivar has a small role "A Perfect Getaway," a thriller set on the Kalalau trail but largely lensed in Puerto Rico. Director David Twohy wrote the movie after vacationing there. ...

Keli'i Kaneali'i should get good exposure for his new CD "Kaua'i" when he performs from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 13 and 20 at Kani Ka Pila Grille at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. On Sept. 27, Mailani fills in; Kaneali'i will be at the National Book Fair in Washington, D.C., where "A President From Hawaii" is the sole Island publication being showcased. Kaneali'i is heard on a CD packaged with the book.

And that's Show Biz. ...

Reach Wayne Harada's blog at http://showandtellhawaii.honadvblogs.com.