Loretta Ables Sayre quietly slipped in and out of town this month to tend to family matters. She's still playing Broadway's Bloody Mary in "South Pacific" at Lincoln Center, but returns in late May to speak at Radford High School's graduation, her alma mater. ...

Ables Sayre trekked to Diamond Head Theatre, her theatrical alma mater (two "You Somebody" productions), to deliver an opening-night gift from the "South Pacific" cast to the "Gypsy" company, signed by her and colleagues, including director Bart Sher, Paulo Szot, Kelli O'Hara, Danny Burstein and even Peter Lockyer (he directed and starred in "Les Miserables" at DHT last fall). Big surprise: Shari Lynn received a personalized "break a leg" letter from Patti LuPone, who played Mama Rose on Broadway till earlier this year, who said: "As you embark on this great adventure called 'Gypsy,' just remember to have fun and get a lot of rest at night — because it will take all the energy you've got!" Should be a keeper on Shari's Wall of Fame. ...

"I miss Hawai'i so much," Ables Sayre said. "I listened to Hawaiian music nonstop, had shave ice and Zippy's chili and soaked in the sun and the breezes. My soul needed this trip to recharge and defrost from the cold snowy winter in Manhattan." ...

A busy week looms for Ables Sayre, who turns 51 on Wednesday, as the show preps for its first anniversary Friday amid changes: O'Hara is on maternity leave through October, with a baby due in July; Laura Osnes ("You're the One That I Want" winner) will spell her; Szot is off to France for an opera. Further, the 60th anniversary of the original "South Pacific" production, which starred Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza, will be celebrated (with surviving actors attending the current show). And coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the film (with Mitzi Gaynor and Rosanno Brazzi) a Blu-Ray release CD drops Tuesday, with Gaynor and Ables Sayre doing CD signings at Barnes & Nobles at Lincoln Center Triangle. DVD extras include chats with Gaynor and Ables Sayre, plus Szot, O'Hara and Matt Morrison. ...

ITEMIZATIONS: Arts patron Carolyn A. Berry has a cameo in Chaminade University's "Music Man," at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday at Mamiya Theatre. In the Grecian Urn number, Berry chirps "Pick a Little, Talk a Little" in the Meredith Willson classic, with David Albert as Professor Harold Hill and Kyna Williams as Marian the Librarian. Tickets: $15 and $10. Call 735-4827. ...

Rob Becker's one-man comedy, "Defending the Caveman," stars Isaac Lamb and bows Tuesday at the Hawai'i Theatre; it's about the battle of the sexes, with all seats $31 on opening night. The deal attracted the sorority PEO, the Newcomers Club and the Hawaii Theatre Stars. Marian Benham, chairwoman of the theater's docent program, organized the PEO group immediately upon her return from Half Moon Bay, Calif., where daughter Betsy, a Kamehameha Schools grad, and husband George Del Fierro had opened their new It's Italia restaurant. ...

DATEBOOK: The Aloha Friday Luncheon Show tradition returns to the Outrigger Reef on the Beach this Friday, when Hawaiian 105 KINE's Billy V and Bruddah Wade emcee a socko show with Amy Hanaiali'i, Brother Noland, Kaukahi and Troy Fernandez at the new Kani Ka Pila Grille. Add a Hawaiian-food buffet and a live radiocast at noon, and a sellout is expected; $22.95, $6 validated parking; call 924-4992. ...

This is your last Friday-Saturday to catch Jasmine Trias guesting with the Society of Seven LV at the Outrigger's Main Showroom. She closes Saturday night. ...

Augie T continues to bring laughter to the community. Next up for Augie's Comedy Crusade: 8 p.m. Friday at Sam Choy's Breakfast Lunch and Crab. ...

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.