DECK THE HALLS: "Les Mardi Gras Follies," the Jack Cione-directed endeavor listed as Hawai'i Theatre Follies on the theater's Web site, begins rehearsals shortly. The production has tapped community troupers such as Cathy Foy-Mahi, John Valentine, Yvette Nii, Pedro Haro-Arvivu and Brandy Lee (yes, the exotic dancer from yesteryear who launched a comeback earlier this year).

It will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1-2 and 2 p.m. Feb. 3 and looms as an annual production. Comedian Rip Taylor had been wooed to do a cameo, but he needs to have knee surgery later this month. Ticket sales are not yet under way. ...

The aforementioned Haro-Arvivu guest-performed at the "Al Waterson and You" finals recently at Don Ho's Island Grill. (He was last year's singing champ.) Turned out to be a great day because he also learned that 2 Couture's Takeo Kobayashi and Eric Eugene Chandler had invited him to sing at the Dec. 16 Miss Hawai'i USA Pageant. ...

OTHER DATES TO LOG AT THE HAWAI'I THEATRE: Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Feb. 15-16; "Menopause: The Musical," April 8-20 (with Tuesday through Saturday play dates). ...

AND FOR THE BROTHERS CAZIMERO FANS: besides the upcoming "A Cazimero Christmas," where Robert and Roland Cazimero bring out their holiday garland of songs and dances with yuletide bliss (Dec. 21-23), The Caz have the Hana Hou! Hawaiian music spotlight March 14. ...

GLAD AND PLAID: The guy manning bass in the band at Manoa Valley Theatre's "Plaid Tidings" was none other than Steve Jones, a notable sideman and proud father of Sean Jones, the Mid-Pacific Institute student who plays Francis in the nostalgic musical with the holiday twinkle. "You could see fatherly pride every time Sean stepped up to the mike," said Brenda Chung, who was in the audience that particular night. ...

HOW JAKE SHIMABUKURO SPENT THANKSGIVING: Working; that is, doing a recording at the Avex studios in Hawai'i Kai, with engineer Gaylord Holomalia. The 'ukulele whiz is completing a new CD and collaborated with Japanese bandoneon artist Ryota Komatsu. But yes, Shimabukuro made sure he was home for turkey and the fixings. Also at Avex in recent weeks: Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Natalie Kamauu, Manoa DNA and Sonny Ching. ...

Michael W. Perry, the KSSK personality, wife Vickie and clan watched Lisa Matsumoto's "A Christmas Gift of Aloha" at Centerstage (a tradition for the Perrys as well as Ala Moana). The grandkids had their pics taken with Santa; then all headed for the private dining room of Romano's Macaroni Grill to savor such menu faves as the mushroom ravioli. ...

ITEMIZATIONS: Dancer Kamakoa Page is featured on singer Sean Tiwanak's music video for "Aloha 'Uhane," posted at www.seantiwanak.com. Tiwanak has been working on an original mele honoring King Kalakaua and Mother Marianne Cope as part of the Sisters of St. Francis' yearlong celebration of 125 years in the Islands. The mele will bow at Mother Marianne's feast day Jan. 23, with Roland Cazimero and Blaine Kia lending their talent, too, in chant, ipu and ki ho'alu. ...

When cookie king Wally "Famous" Amos heard pal Suzanne Diamond was in town — after her recent divorce, she now divides her time between a Nob Hill penthouse in San Francisco and an oceanfront condo here — he surprised her at Compadres Bar & Grill last Saturday by wishing her holiday tidings and giving Diamond and her guests his signature cookies. ...

Maui-based designer Maggie Coulombe dressed actress Loretta Devine for the premiere of her "This Christmas" film — a new silk knit number with a matching jacket in holiday-appropriate red. ...

CALENDAR WHIRL: Neil Sedaka, who performs at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Hawai'i Theatre, will be one of the December guests on "NightTime With Andy Bumatai," airing at 9:35 p.m. weekdays on KFVE Channel 5 (and midnight on CW93, cable Channel 93).

The Sedaka taping will be on Thursday; to kokua in the promo of the Sunday appearances, the segment will be rush-rushed to air Friday. ...

Bumatai guests this month include Ann McCormack Livermore (Las Vegas-based mother of Don Stroud, who helps book talent for the Bumatai endeavor), plus folks like Marlene Sai. ...

Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park will bring laughter to the Kapolei area when comics Joey Guila, Shawn Felipe, Big Steve and Chief Suele perform at the first Circus Lu'au Holiday Show Dec. 16. There'll be a buffet dinner plus dancing; tickets are$20 for show-only, $40 for the dinner package. Go to www.hawaiianwaters.com. ...

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.