Considering her quick, lofty rise on the New York show biz meter, Tony Award nominee Loretta Ables Sayre, in the running for best featured actress in a musical, remains charmingly local to the core. It seems she's still dazzled by the recognition and reception, playing Bloody Mary in "South Pacific" at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theatre.

Take last week, when Ables Sayre and other nominees were shuttled to the Hilton Hotel for a meet-and-greet session.

"It was crazy," she said of the frenzy. "I kept standing behind the palm trees in the reception area, thinking they are going to find out that someone got it wrong and I wasn't supposed to be there. But they kept pulling me out and sitting me down, doing interviews and taking photos. I cannot believe that I am in the company of some of the most amazing actors!"

As is the custom for awards nights, how you dress matters. "I was ready to go to the Ross in (New) Jersey to try to find something to wear," Ables Sayre said. "You know me, if I can get it at a discount, I'm there! If it's a red tag, even better!" However, fashion houses are offering to dress her.

The morning after Tony noms were announced, Ables Sayre got a call about the Theatre World Award,which honors newbies on Broadway doing their first shows. "This is just crazy!" she said. "It really is just an honor to be acknowledged for your work, and I am knocked to my knees that the New York theater community would be so welcoming and gracious to me. What a great job I have."

Tip: Start planning your acceptance speech, Loretta. ...

REEL TALK: Lynne Hanzawa O'Neill and her husband, Bobby O'Neill, who are part-time residents here, will be off to New York to attend the "Sex and the City" premiere May 27 at Radio City Music Hall. The local girl was fashion show coordinator for the film; she says doing it for reel is like doing it for real — only better. "I called the model and music cues, directed the fashion show ... and helped to coordinate the casting, hair and makeup, fittings," she said. "The benefit of a fashion show for the movie versus live is that you can do it more than once."

The fashion show is part of the movie's trailers; SATC stars (Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon) are seated ringside, with Bobby O'Neill behind them. "He was really acting, as a fashion editor," said Lynne. She met her hubby in the New York countryside; he declared himself an avid fan of "Hawaii Five-O" and "Magnum, P.I.," often dreaming of living here. They married, and now they live in Hawai'i half the year, and also maintain an apartment in Greenwich Village.

Lynne, a seasoned show, fashion and event producer, was basis for a 2001 SATC episode called "The Real Me"; Margaret Cho played her. She's also a Hapa fan, presenting Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau in The Big Apple last year, with a reprise planned for next year.

"I worked two stints at Dole Pineapple and I worked at King's Bakery," she said. "That makes me local, right?" ...

DATELINE SAIGON: "Miss Saigon" auditions are set at Paliku Theatre, on the Windward Community College campus in Kane'ohe, with Ronald Bright directing the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. Tryouts will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. July 29-31.

Tam wannabes — that's the role of the child — likely will be seen at 6 p.m., said theater manager Tom Holowach, who adds, "It's going to be a big show for us." October playdates will be announced.

Clarke Bright, son of the director, will be musical director. Pere Bright, of course, is the "retired" Castle High School drama wizard who has mentored students who have gone on to play in "Saigon," in touring shows here and abroad, and on Broadway.

The distinguished alumni of "Miss Saigon" include Jade Stice, Cliffton Hall, Chloe Stewart, Melanie Tojio, Robert Orosco, Michael and Jade Bright, Kim-E Balmilero, Jewl Anguay and Zoey Anguay — and at least one may be interested in appearing in this mounting. Information: 235-7330. ...

AROUND TOWN: Nick and Nina Clooney, parents of actor George Clooney, participated in a Chaminade University performing arts fundraiser at Carolyn Berry's home.

AMONG OTHERS PRESENT: Ann Rutherford, the lone surviving star of the "Gone With the Wind" film, plus Chaminade professor and CSI consultant Lee Goff, en route to Las Vegas for the opening of a forensic sciences exhibit that will also attract the stars of the three "CSI" series on CBS. Goff will offer a Chaminade course soon on "Remains Recovery and Discovery." ...

The Clooneys have been huge supporters of Matt Catingub's recent Hawaii Romance Festival — shows with Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight and Brian Stokes Mitchell were hot, hot, hot. ...

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.