Lani Misalucha’s presence will grow and glow in the weeks ahead. She’s added local singer Jordan Segundo, Hawaii’s first "American Idol" contestant, to her cast at the Magic of Polynesia Showroom at the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. Further, community singer-actress Tricia Marciel has signed on as a backup singer, her appearance subject to need, when either Starr Kalahiki or Christina Souza is unable to perform.
And that long-buzzed-about Hawaiian luau show, staged on the second-floor courtyard of Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber restaurant on the second floor, is about to be launched as a feeder show to Misalucha’s Tuesday-through-Saturday performances following John Hirokawa’s magic spectacle. The miniproduction, hosted by veteran emcee Kimo Kahoano, is intended to be staged before the Filipina songbird’s show while Hirokawa’s performance is under way, to provide a dinner experience package/bridge for the visitor clientele heading to Misalucha’s production. Multitasking on multifronts, for sure.
Though announced as a December-through-March attraction in Waikiki, Misalucha will be "extended" the next few months; she has a year’s contract. Call 971-4321. …
ATTA BOY: Island boy Bruno Mars continues to amuse and amaze. At 26 he’s the youngest-ever and only the 10th male to grace the cover of Playboy magazine’s annual April issue on sex and music, just out. Inside the mag he models garb by Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana. Not a common cred for a rocker. …
Also, Mars just made the cut — No. 30 — in GQ’s list of 30 stylish Hollywood types under 30 years old. No. 1 was Darren Criss, Blaine from "Glee." …
OH, BABY: Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s "blue" show by Annie Cusick Wood welcomed the youngest-ever patron: Merryn Higgins, only 61/2 days old, attended the play at Tenney Theatre with parents Chris and Darci Higgins and older sister Quinlyn. "We hope her parents will bring her to another HTY show when she gets a little older," quipped HTY managing director Becky Dunning. "Perhaps ‘May Day Is Lei Day’ at the ripe old age of 5 weeks." "Lei Day" is a show featuring Kala’i Stern, Maile Holck, Junior Tesoro and Alvin Chang, running March 30 through May 5. Call 839-9885. …
SPRING HAS SPUNK: Oh, boy, "Spring Awakening," now in production, is possibly Manoa Valley Theatre’s most daring and defining show. Teens and young adults will appreciate the frankness and boldness; it’s honest and now, hip and wow. Parents and adults will be queasy but quixotic about the hypnotic mix of music and motion; it’s frisky and formidable drama, challenging yet charming. It’s provocative and powerful, about discovering the mystique and metier of sex, love and maturity. Standing ovations reflect a stamp of approval. …
Lead actor Jonah Ho’okano, in the role of Melchior, had understudy James Mares taking over Thursday’s and Friday’s performances so he could wear another cap: As a senior at Kamehameha, he didn’t dare skip a school tradition, the annual Kamehameha Schools Song Contest.The full cast thus had rehearsals Monday and Tuesday nights — "no rest for weary," as associate producer Bree Bumatai says. …
ITEMIZATIONS: B.K. Cannon, island actress, had a role on this past Wednesday’s "Criminal Minds" on CBS. Her proud parents are Trudi and Tom Cannon. …
DATEBOOK: The Brothers Cazimero’s "Islands in Your Eyes," at 7:30 p.m. this Friday at Hawaii Theatre, headlines Robert and Roland Cazimero, with gents from Robert’s Halau Na Kamalei o Lililehua and the Ladies of the Royal Dance Company providing hula enchantment. Taiko drums and guest hula dancers from Japan, New York and Mid-Pacific Institute also take the stage. …
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.