Here's some Jim dandy news: I ran into entertainer Jim Nabors at — of all places — the office of our mutual rheumatologist, Dr. Ken Arakawa — and Nabors says his bum knee, which he was tending to (receiving a shot, to provide relief for a trek to Alabama), may have slowed him down a skosh. But that hasn't diminished his desire to make good a prevailing rumor: that he'll be part of a resuscitated Christmas show, health willing, in 2009, but mostly as a guest star.

Fans will recall that Nabors was the main attraction of the "Friends and Nabors" spectacle, which he fronted for a decade at the Hawai'i Theatre.

Gollee, but wouldn't that be a great welcome-back of his aloha spirit and his stage charisma? He is a beloved legend with a devoted, loyal audience base.

Nabors indicated, too, that eventual knee-replacement surgery would aid his ability to move on stage. Just don't expect him to do that high-kick choreography of yesteryear. …

STAGE CUES: Local boy Joseph Morales, a veteran of numerous Island shows, has been cast in the Papermill Production of Disney's "High School Musical," in the role of Jack Scott, a principal part created just for the stage version. The theatrical version of the Disney franchise will feature Bailey Hanks, a recent winner of MTV's "Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods" (she parlayed that into the lead role in the musical of the film on Broadway). There's buzz that "High School Musical" will evolve into yet another Disney attraction on the Great White Way. Morales, who was in "Big River" here and several Lisa Matsumoto pidgin musicals, also has toured in the Broadway Bollywood show "Bombay Dreams" and has had roles in Disney's "Aladdin" and "Rock of Ages," so he's seasoned and ready for prime time. …

It was a sentimental closing for "Les Miserables" on Sunday at Diamond Head Theatre, but the behind-the-sceners got their reward when co-directors Peter Lockyer and wife Melanie Tojio Lockyer (he also was Jean Valjean, she doubled as choreographer) hauled the production crew on stage for the finale bow. "The audiences have no idea what they do to make the show move; we call them the 'magic ninjas,' " said Melanie Lockyer. The couple's last vision of Hawai'i, prior to boarding a flight: a perfect sunset. …

AROUND TOWN: Rolando Sanchez, Hawai'i's globally known Latin entertainer, has been named a resident professor for Diana Koshi's fifth-grade class at Mid-Pacific Institute. On alternate Wednesdays, Sanchez teaches two sessions of Latin rhythms and percussion-playing, even offering kokua to arrange an original composition, "My Rainbow," for the students. …

Denby Dung is the host of "Pet Hui," airing at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays on OC16 (with numerous repeat screenings during the week). Producer Ron Darby met Dung through Nancy Bernal's "Celebrities and Their Pets Fashion Show" at the recent Hawai'i Woman Expo, and he needed a host who also was an animal lover. Dung, a model, actress, musician and owner of two dogs, was a natural fit. …

DATES TO CIRCLE: Daniel Ho, Grammy-winning producer, musician and singer, will be featured in a benefit concert at 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, 720 N. King St., near Tamashiro Market. Proceeds will help the Kalihi-Palama Pediatrics Care Programs and St. Elizabeth's Outreach Ministries. Tickets (at the door): $15 adults, free for children under 12. A Holiday Faire at 2 p.m. precedes the performance. …

Kyle Kakuno, who has mounted stunning productions at Saint Louis School ("Aida," "Rent"), will direct "The Sound of Music" at Sacred Hearts Academy, slated for 7 p.m. Nov. 7-8, 2 p.m. Nov. 9, 7 p.m. Nov. 14, and 2 p.m. Nov. 15-16 at Mamiya Theatre at Saint Louis. Cast is from Sacred Hearts Academy, Saint Louis and a couple of other public and private schools. Tickets: $15 adults, $10 students 18 and under; call Andrea Hamilton at 734-5058. …

And Rikki Jo Hickey will direct Peggy Anne Siegmund's and Dennis Proulx's "The Pied Piper of Hamelin," playing at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 and 3 p.m. Nov. 2 at Kaimuki High School Theatre. Tickets: $10 adults, $5 children, students and seniors over 65.

GONE SURFING: You know that original Michael Cassidy painting, depicting a paddler approaching his canoe on the beach at Kahala, that's an eye-catcher at the front of the Kahala store entrance at Ala Moana Center? It was commissioned earlier this year by Kahala creative director Dale Hope, expressly for the retailer. Well, the artwork caught the eyes of the folks at United Airlines' in-flight magazine, Hemispheres, and if you're flying the friendly skies of United this month, you'll see that Cassidy painting on the cover. The original art, still hanging in the store, is available for purchase; the asking price is $9,000. …

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.