A trio of Hawaii’s Broadway troupers — all Punahou grads — continue to dot the showscape:
>> Willy Falk, a Tony nominee (he originated the role of Chris the GI in the original “Miss Saigon”) has been touring his “Mostly Love” show, and will stage it on Oct. 13 at the Green Room 42 in New York, then on Nov. 12 at Zedel in the heart of Piccadilly Circus in London. The best news — he’ll make his Blue Note Hawaii debut, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Jan. 29, at the Outrigger Waikiki Resort venue. He’s hoping his Buff ‘n Blue chums will come support him prior to this year’s Punahou carnival Feb. 1 and 2. …
>> Ann Harada will portray the Witch in a special one-night, all-Asian “Into the Woods,” Oct. 20 at The Times Center. She’s a veteran of such Broadway hits as the Tony Award-winning “Avenue Q” (she was Christmas Eve), “Cinderella” (she was a stepsister) and “Les Miserable” (Madame Thenardier). Steven Eng directs this milestone National Asian Artists Project and Prospect Theater Company collaboration. …
>> “Be More Chill,” the off-Broadway musical with social media appeal, will move uptown to the Broadway mainstream, previewing Feb. 13 en route to its March 10 premiere at the Lyceum Theatre. This internet-fueled hit was written by the team of Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz; Hawaii’s Jason Tam, who plays the character Squip and delivers the show’s title tune, is likely to be aboard. Final casting and ticket prices (expect a hike) will be announced later. …
SONGS OF OLD HAWAII
We stopped by to catch Jerry Santos, who performs from 8 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the Tapa Bar of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, on a recent Saturday night. The joint was jumping; Kimo Kahoano stopped by, after emceeing an event where Carole Kai was honored for her community service; ditto, hotelier Jerry Gibson, who had been at an Institute of Human Services benefit (Keola Beamer performed) on the property’s Great Lawn; and Cha Thompson, still trying to ink Santos for a Blue Note Hawaii gig. …
Santos remains one of Hawaiian music’s true treasures; his cohorts are singer-musicians Haunani Apoliona (who plays a double-necked six- and 12-string guitar with amazing grace), Kuuipo Kumukahi (who switches from ukulele to guitar) and Ryan Tang (on electric bass). They share seductive old-fashioned Hawaiian faves, served with savvy backstories, reflecting Hawaii’s bygone past. Newbies can stroll down memory lane and learn so much from Santos and his peers, who create sweet harmonies amid endless medleys of rarely heard gems. Santos is perfection and irrepressible, shepherding a wonderful evolution of the Olomana brand; BTW, he’s 67 and proud to be finally collecting Social Security. …
CLUB-LICITY
Jeannette Trevias, a stellar musician-conductor, is corralling such guest singers as Little Albert Maligmat, Ben Vegas and Rocky Brown, when she takes the Blue Note Hawaii stage at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Monday at the Outrigger Waikiki resort. …
The Society of Seven will perform at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno, Nev., on Saturday. As usual, songstress Lhey Bella will be on the bill. …
SEAWORTHY SONG
Johnson Enos’ “Honu by the Sea” musical will debut a new tune, “Rainbow of Colors,” in its upcoming series of shows in Japan. The family treat with an environmental message will play three times at Tokyo Sea Life Park in October, as part of the facility’s 29th anniversary. …
ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE
A few weeks back, we told you that following Bruno Mars’ Nov. 8, 10 and 11 shows at Aloha Stadium, it was likely that another top act would be booked to maximize the cost of importing that mammoth stadium stage. And yes, that’s why The Eagles (with Jack Johnson as opening act) will land Dec. 7 under the auspices of Live Nation. …
And that’s “Show Biz.”
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
