A trio of seasoned musical theater veterans have been cast to play leading roles in Manoa Valley Theatre’s island premiere of “Allegiance,” the inspiring show about the true-life experience of George Takei about the unlawful wartime imprisonment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. The musical will be staged March 28 to April 7 at the Hawaii Theatre.
The cast features:
>> Broadway actor Ethan Le Phong, recently an understudy for the title character of “Aladdin” in New York, as Young Sammy. He played Young Sammy in an East-West Players production of “Allegiance” last spring, and has appeared on Broadway, in London and on regional theater stages.
>> Kristian Lei, a veteran Hawaii composer, performer, vocalist and production, as Kei Kimura. She portrayed Kim in “Miss Saigon” in Germany and has starred in Disney productions in Hong Kong and aboard Disney cruises.
>> Kathleen Stuart, a Hawaii native with professional credits in New York theater, as Nurse Hannah. She last played Anna here in the I’m a Bright Kid production of “The King and I” at Paliku Theatre.
Others in the cast: Dann Seki, Brad Yamamoto, Devon Nekoba, Miguel Cadoy III, KoDee Martin, Sharline Liu, Charles Mukaida, Melani Carrie, Austin Yoshida, Shayna Yasunaga, Lauren Cabrera, Kyle McNamara, Dwayne Sakaguchi and Kailee Brandt.
Paul Mitri, prolific actor and director, will direct; Kip Wilborn, a frequent musical and operatic lead, is musical director, Christine Yasunaga, the lone Asian dancer in the original “The Lion King,” will choreograph. The tech crew includes Ron Heller (assistant director), Michelle Bisbee (set designer), Janine Myers (lighting designer), Jennifer Hart and Trudy Hodnefield (co-costumer designers), Lisa Ponce de Leon (hair-makeup) and Sara Ward (props designer).
Tickets: $35-$75, at the Hawaii Theatre box office, or 528-0506 and hawaiitheatre.com. An additional $5 theater restoration fee applies. …
SEASONAL STAGINGS
It’s getting to sound a lot like Christmas. The aforementioned Kristian Lei is presenting “The Best of Hawaii, to Broadway, to the Joyful World,” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Mamiya Theatre, on the Saint Louis/Chaminade University campus.
Lei pays tribute to her cherished mentors Jimmy Borges, Anita Hall, Melveen Leed and Neva Rego in the Hawaii segment, featuring Mihana Souza; she’ll also share tunes from relevant Broadway faves. Kimo Kahoano emcees, Marcelo Pacleb’s 24/7 DanceForce share the stage. Tickets: $35-$100, at kristianleiconcert.eventbrite.com. …
Other holiday choices:
>> Comedian Frank DeLima’s holiday brunch show will be staged at noon Dec. 16 at the Pagoda’s C’est Si Bon ballroom. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., with brunch service from 10 a.m. to noon. The comedian will feature new rewrites of tunes by Bruno Mars and Cardi B, and yes, his infamous local-style “Twelve Days of Christmas,” lit-up Yule tree costume and Auntie Mary Tunta will be aboard. Tickets: $65 adults, $35 keiki 5-8, at 948-8370. …
>> “Kuana’s Winter Wonderland,” with Kuana Torres Kahele’s ambitious holiday-Hawaiian spectacle, is a three-day affair at Hawaii Theatre; curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Friday (with Mark Kealii Hoomalu) and Saturday (with Kehau Tamura Band), and 2 p.m. Dec. 9 (with Ei Nei and Marlene Sai). Tickets: $35-$75, at 528-0506, or hawaiitheatre.com. …
>> “Not Quite Christmas With Shari Lynn & Friends,” at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Medici’s at Manoa Marketplace, was a quick sellout so a second show has been added for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Shari reunites with her three “Forbidden Broadway” teammates Kip Wilborn, Annie Rennick and Buz Tennent and keyboarder raconteur Don Conover. With holiday fare, including “The Prayer” and an “O Holy Night” parody, to Broadway and Great American Songbook standards. Tickets: $75, includes a buffet dinner with a glass of bubbly, at honolulumusic atmedicis.com or 351-0901.
ONCE OVER BRIGHTLY
Shari Lynn was a true professional when she launched Manoa Valley Theatre’s Island Treasures series Nov. 19. With perfect song choices, she emulated Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney and Ethel Merman, tapping tunes composed by her network of reliable resources Cole Porter, Jerry Herman, George and Ira Gershwin and more. Humor? She mimicked the Statue of Liberty singing, also did a charming bossa nova parody. Her theatrical and educational background yields these fascinating rhythms. …
And that’s “Show Biz.”
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
