Islanders will get the first opportunity to obtain and read “Paradise to Paradise: The Rap Reiplinger Story” at the 14th annual Hawai‘i Book and Music Festival, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 4 and 5 at the Civic Center grounds of Honolulu Hale.
Author Leesa Clark Stone, the widow of the iconic comedian-actor, will launch the biography at the event. Several hundred copies of the book are en route here from Korea, timed to the book fest.
“I spent about five years working part time, researching and interviewing people for the book,” said Stone. “Three of those five years included writing, with more of a full-time focus late last summer as I came closer to the finish line.”
Stone’s ringside seat — as spouse — enabled her unparalleled access to the Reiplinger family; as a former Hawaii radio and TV broadcast journalist, she reinforced her passion to delve into his incredible past.
“I was looking for answers to the many questions that surrounded Rap’s death,” she said. “I remembered what an interesting life Rap led during the pivotal moment in island history with the Hawaiian Renaissance. So like Rap, this book has a lot of layers and facets.”
Reiplinger died at age 33 on Jan. 19, 1984, when his body was discovered in Maunawili after he was reported missing for nearly a week.
Clark (now wed to Rich Stone and residing in Nashville, Tenn.) married Reiplinger on Oct. 25, 1983.
I got a sneak peek at the book, which bares intimate and revealing aspects of his life and the couple’s short time together, unveiling untold secrets. Four decades since he launched his arsenal of iconic sketches, Reiplinger still lives in our memories and is frequently quoted by young and old alike. So say welcome to “Paradise.” …
All is Bright
“Seuss, Schwartz and Songs” is the umbrella theme for the 2019 season of I’m a Bright Kid Foundation, which will be ensconced at Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College. The IABK agenda:
>> An eight-week summertime arts education session for youths, segueing into “Seussical Kids” Aug. 2-4.
>> A fall presentation of Stephen Schwartz’s “Children of Eden” with a biblical thrust, weekends Sept. 6-29.
>> An onstage fundraising gala Nov. 22, preceding a new show dubbed “Songs for a New World,” which will run through Dec. 1.
“At least through this season, we’ll be at Paliku for our shows,” said Ligaya Stice, IABK executive director. “And hopefully, for the next year, too.”
The Seuss reference is to “Seussical Kids,” a Summer Showcase production, with a cast of workshop students mentored by guest instructors Allan Lau, Sarah Kekuna, Annie Yoshida and Jade Stice, who developed their stage creds with the late-and-great drama teacher Ron Bright. Visiting New York choreographer Lisa Herlinger-Thompson also will participate.
The Schwartz element is the rarely performed musical, “Children of Eden,” featuring a rich score about life by composer Schwartz (of “Wicked,” “Godspell” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” fame), directed by Mary Hicks. It’s based on the first nine chapters of Genesis, probing the complexities of parent-child relationships, personal freedom versus authority, forgiveness and second chances. Auditions will be held June 24-25.
A black-tie fundraiser for the foundation will be held on Nov. 22 prior to the opening-night performance of “Songs for a New World” (directed by Jade Stice); it will run weekends through Dec. 1.
Reservations and ticket details will be announced later. Visit imabrightkid.org. …
Rainbow connections
Back in the day, Georgia Engel, portraying Morgan Le Fay, gave Kennedy Theatre’s “Camelot” a luminous veneer. Then a University of Hawaii drama student, Engel went on to star in TV’s “Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.” She died April 12 at age 70. She also brought her sunny disposition and chirpy voice to Broadway’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” when I last saw her. She famously lived in the Diamond Head Lighthouse since her dad was an admiral. …
Larry Lindsey Kimura, University of Hawaii associate professor of Hawaiian language who named the acclaimed black hole “Powehi,” also has a musical past as co-author of “E Kuu Morning Dew” with the late Eddie Kamae. …
And that’s “Show Biz.”
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
