DATELINE NEW YORK: Betty Loo Taylor, the Kahala Mandarin Oriental hotel pianist, is back from a New York visit with sometime resident Joy Abbott, where both did tracks for a forthcoming jazz CD. Abbott, a performer in her own right, is the widow of Broadway legend George Abbott, who wrote, produced, directed or appeared in scores of plays, including "The Pajama Game," "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "Damn Yankees" and "Fiorello!"

Abbott also had production meetings for the January revival of "The Pajama Game" (her husband did the book) and Harry Connick Jr. will star. Taylor is a lifelong friend and Punahou School chum, and the two took in "Sweeney Todd," featuring Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris, which Taylor found "overwhelming." The Stephen Sondheim revival is the latest wrinkle on Broadway; the actors double as musicians, so when they're not singing, they play instruments. "Patti played the tuba and the little triangle," Taylor said. "Unbelievable show." ...

Maui chef James McDonald and publicist Bonnie Friedman are just back from the Maui Visitors Bureau's annual New York City "media blitz." One night, they and N.Y. restaurant PR dynamos Gail Schoenberg and Katie Callahan managed to snag a table at a hot new Chelsea restaurant, Cookshop. Standing at the bar: celeb chef Aaron Sanchez, co-host of the Food Network's "Melting Pot" and one of People magazine's Most Beautiful People of 2004, as well as the son of renowned Mexican cooking authority Zarela Martinez. At Gotham Bar & Grill, Friedman also spotted Justina Machado, who played Vanessa Diaz on HBO's "Six Feet Under." ...

WHO'S NEWS: With yesterday's launch of Romano's Macaroni Grill at Ala Moana Center, owner Randy Schoch flew in a few days earlier from his Scottsdale, Ariz., base, where his Desert Island Restaurants operations are headquartered. Though Schoch's company also holds Hawai'i franchises of Ruth's Chris Steak Houses, Romano's is the first of his holdings with singing hosts and wait staff. Among the new hires: Shawna Masuda, who has played Kim in "Miss Saigon" at Army Community Theatre, and Belle in "Beauty and the Beast" at Diamond Head Theatre. Next up for Masuda: the young female lead in Army's "Kismet," opening Nov. 17. ...

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.