Lani Misalucha, the diva from the Philippines with global credits and fame, will open a new show Dec. 20 at the "Magic of Polynesia" showroom at the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. The show will immediately follow John Hirokawa‘s long-running magic spectacle five nights a week.
Roberts Hawaii has signed on the international star, who earned accolades in this market and in Las Vegas when she was affiliated with the classic Society of Seven act. Her last island appearance was a guest spot on the Universal Show Queen Pageant in June at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, and we wondered then why she wasn’t tapped to headline a solo concert here, considering her huge appeal coupled with the support of Filipino fans everywhere. Now she’ll set anchor in Waikiki.
Roy Tokujo, producer of the ill-fated "Waikiki Nei" at Level 4 at the Royal Hawaiian Center, will produce the show as an added task with Roberts, where he is a consultant reuniting with magician Hirokawa (the pair earlier worked together). Hirokawa’s dinner show from 6:30 to 7:40 p.m. will precede the Misalucha cocktail endeavor.
Roberts also is contemplating a luau show to piggyback with the Misalucha production.
Besides her Broadway, pop and Filipino repertoire, Misalucha will embrace some Hawaiian tunes. Her arrival triggers a $2 million showroom spruce-up to integrate new technology including holograms. Misalucha had time to dine at Alan Wong’s before departing for concerts in her native Philippines. Last month she co-starred with Jim Brickman at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in California; she has the wow factor and brings high anticipation among Asian visitors. …
MORE DIVAS: "Le Bizarre Divas," a female impersonation show, will be staged at 8 p.m. ($55 dinner show) and 10:30 p.m. ($30 cocktails) Saturday at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel. Derek Daniels, the choreographer-dancer-director-drag queen performer, is producing and will be in it, with Cocoa Chandelier and Harley Davidson among 14 cross-dressers. Five women will add a measure of confusion. …
Brandy Lee updates her Glades-style persona as guest artist, in rhinestones and feathers. Reservations: 545-2820. …
And FYI, Daniels — sans the glitz — is directing the Local Divas‘ New Year’s Eve show at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. …
STAGE SHORTS: Lisa Konove, the character actress, will portray the Stepmother for the third time in Diamond Head Theatre’s "Cinderella" musical, opening Dec. 2 and already extended to Dec. 23. Director John Rampage said he could not not cast her — she owns the role — and additional familiar faces fill the Stepsisters ranks: Jody Bill (Betty Schaefer in "Sunset Boulevard") and Kathryn Lee (Polly Baker in "Crazy for You"). AnemoneJones, a newbie, is the glass-slippered title character. …
Minireview: Kennedy Theatre’s "Oklahoma," closing at 2 p.m. today, boasts beguiling fresh voices (Brandon Gregory Martinez as Curly, Brittni Shambaugh as Ado Annie), the shortest Laurey (Karissa J. Murrell Adams) and the tallest Aunt Eller (Michelle Johnson) I’ve ever seen, plus a broodingly powerful Jud Fry (Garrett T.K. Taketa). However, the production lacked a sense of community facing change; the minimal set thwarted environmental mood, and the modified dream sequence (with no-music mime segments) was awkward. …
Manoa Valley Theatre’s extended "Little Shop of Horrors" (through Nov. 27) has plenty of seats, so make it a family outing. Also, MVT is doing four performances of"It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play," Dec. 8 through 11, a nice prelude to the holidays. Call 988-6131. …
NOTEBOOK: The Royal Hawaiian Band, helmed by Clarke Bright, marks its 175th birthday at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Farrington High School auditorium. Raiatea Helm, Karen Keawehawaii, Misty Kelai, Cathy Foy and the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus sing; ex-maestros Aaron Mahi and Mike Nakasone take the baton. Ron Bright, Clarke’s director dad, and Denby Dung, ex-Miss Hawaii and a band member, will co-emcee. Tickets: 800-838-3006. …
And that’s "Show Biz." …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
