Hawaii’s Bette Midler has a whirlwind agenda on multiple platforms in the coming months:
>> On TV, the Divine Miss M will be an 11th season mentor on NBC’s “The Voice.” She will guide competitors on Blake Shelton’s team. Other mentors are Charlie Puth, working with guest judge Alicia Keys; Sammy Hagar, grooming Adam Levine’s choices; and Joan Jett, aligning with Miley Cyrus’ picks. …
>> On Broadway, Midler is in the initial process of prepping for her return to the Great White Way in “Hello, Dolly!” at the Shubert Theatre. Midler is rebooting the iconic show that established Carol Channing (who earned a Tony Award for her portrayal of Dolly Gallagher Levi) for a new generation of theatergoers. The show previews March 5, leading to an April 20 premiere. A two-page ad in last Sunday’s New York Times launched the ticket sales ($79 to $189), via Telecharge. People magazine reported that first-day sales totaled over $9 million, a record-breaker for Broadway. …
>> On the fundraising front, Midler hosts her 20th annual Hulaween benefit Oct. 28 at the Waldorf Astoria’s ballroom, for the New York Restoration Project she founded two decades ago. Kathy Griffin hosts; Darlene Love shares her soul and blues; Marc Jacobs judges the costume contest. Balcony seats are $650; corporate tables range from $3,000 to $50,000 for 10, the coveted VIP seats (12) are $70,000. …
>> On vinyl and CD, Midler’s 1972 debut album, “The Divine Miss M,” will be reissued Oct. 21 by Rhino Records in a remastered collectible edition, including bonus singles, outtakes, demos and new liner notes written by Midler. The CD version features two discs; a special one-LP vinyl disc (originally co-produced by Barry Manilow, her piano accompanist) also is forthcoming. The album earned Midler a Grammy for best new artist, yielding early signatures, including “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Chapel of Love” and “Do You Wanna Dance?” …
STAGECRAFT: Aaron Ostroff, who just turned 14 on Sept. 16, is portraying the title character in Diamond Head Theatre’s “Billy Elliot,” which opened Friday night. A freshman at Punahou School, he dances at the Honolulu Dance Studio and has ballet and acrobatic skills but no background in theater, voice or tap dance — but has swiftly learned, mentored by Caren Yee and Larry Paxton. It’s a bold commitment to designate Aaron as the lone Billy, and a huge vote of confidence. Two understudies (Michael Hicks and/or Kane Innis) would step in if there’s a midshow emergency; each standby Billy has his own set of costumes and shoes and is trained to take the stage immediately, according to director John Rampage. Two other kid roles are double-cast, Matias Durkin and Andrew Bell take turns as Michael, and Ryder Goto and Ethan Lockwood alternate as Small Boy. …
Since it’s tough to replicate a proper British inflection, DHT has toned down accents but retained the lilt in the required U.K. lingo and modified the script a bit (with the author’s consent) to minimize the coarse and profane dialogue.
Further, DHT evening curtain now is 7:30 p.m — less time for pre-curtain meals, more time to hele on home for bedtime. …
HERE ’N’ THERE: Tony Ruivivar and his Society of Seven have added the Naniloa Hotel in Hilo to their show schedule, performing Oct. 22. The night before, the SOS will assemble at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center for a show. No Honolulu visits this time around, however. …
Makana debuts at Blue Note Hawaii on Saturday; in recent months, he toured with Bad Company and Joe Walsh. …
“Hawaii Five-0” returns to the Hilton Hawaiian Village during its seventh season. Thus, so Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) & Co. will hang out amid the iconic mural on the Rainbow Tower and the cozy Tropics Bar & Grill. …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
