KITV4's Ben Gutierrez will be on stilts to portray Mayor Mufi Hannemann again in this year's Gridiron show, this time lamenting the tactics of Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi (KITV's Jodi Leong) in "Predatory Pricing," playing Friday and Saturday at Diamond Head Theatre. The evening performances are already sold out, but some seats remain for the 3 p.m. matinee Saturday. Call 550-8457, or bring cash and buy tickets for the 7:30 p.m. Thursday dress rehearsal.

You'll also find Leong gliding from Broadway to hula stylings, even going hip on a "Bankruptcy" tune and waxing seductive on "Glamorous."

The cast of 38 print, broadcast and media types includes Advertiser colleagues Gordon Pang, Vicki Viotti, Christine Strobel, Jason Kasamoto and Robbie Dingeman, who is co-artistic director with KITV's Keoki Kerr. And our Loren Moreno is an emcee.

Considering that the fundraiser for the Hawai'i chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is playing on DHT's stage, where "Les Miserables" just closed, you'll get a melange of "Les Miz" angst when "Do You Hear the People Bitch" echoes dissension over the rail issue. Sample chorus:

"Do you hear the people bitch?

"They bitch and moan about the rail;

"They want the issue on the ballot so we can say pass or fail;

"Do you go with 'Go Rail Go'?

"Or do you stay with 'Stop Rail Now'?

"Well, either way you know this argument is not pau."

Ah, mustering the house. …

STAGE SHORTS: There was a screw-up in our item last week about Diamond Head Theatre co-directors Peter Lockyer and Melanie Tojio Lockyer. They gifted each cast member with notepads with Cosette's image from "Le Miz" — and the line, "To love another person is to see the face of God." …

And it was Betty Grierson, who was with Neva Rego at Paliku Theatre's "Miss Saigon," who later accompanied Wally Falk, local boy who originated the Chris role on Broadway, to see the show. Falk also attended "Les Miz" (a show he's done on Broadway), at DHT another night, prompting Melanie to comment, "He is a true friend to come see our productions on his vacation." A "Saigon" delegation led by Ronald Bright also managed to see the DHT hit. After spending a couple of months here, "it will be tough to leave the Islands and go back to the city (New York)," Melanie said. "It's been such a great experience working with this group of people." …

The Lockyers saw a "Saigon" rehearsal and adored former Broadway alums Michael Bright and Jade Stice. …

By the way, the aforementioned Falk has detoured to the opera ("too old to be climbing about on the barricade"), doing "Tales of Hoffman" in Paris, a modern opera in Hungary, and returns to Europe for another opera, with "La Boheme" awaiting in Louisiana. …

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Augie Rey, whose surname is Fernandez, is proud of his latest achievement. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Hawai'i chapter also known as Latin Business Hawai'i, presented the entertainer with a Hispanic Achievement Award, along with Dr. Maritza Macy, Dr. Carlos Moreno and Daniel Martinez.

The 2008 Na Hoku Hanohano 'Aha Mele, at 2 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Mission Memorial Auditorium near City Hall, will feature local faves Hoku Zuttermeister, Ku'uipo Kumukahi and the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders, John Cruz, Maunalua and Pilioha. It's a presentation by the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts, with kokua from the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts, and best of all, it's free. To reserve a space, call Bryson at 593-9424. …

Eddie and Myrna Kamae have been traveling, and they were hosted by Laurent Ertle, manager of the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at the Paris resort, during her recent birthday. …

Jack and Maydelle Cione are back from a Central America cruise from Mexico through the Panama Canal. Despite the soft economy, the ship and airlines were packed, Jack said. …

MAUI WOWIE: George Kahumoku Jr. and wife Nancy are mounting a fifth-anniversary special of the "Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series," at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Aloha Pavilion at Napili Kai Beach Resort. George Kahumoku Jr. will host a program assembling Ledward Ka'apana, Uncle Richard Ho'opi'i and Kevin Brown, plus budding strummers Peter deAquino and Sterling Seaton. Grammy-winning producer Paul Konwiser of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Productions is show producer. And just out: "The Spirit of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar," the fourth of an ongoing CD series, which contains stellar performances from previous shows. …

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.