It’s one down, one more to go for Emme Tomimbang, the veteran TV producer, emcee and journalist. We’re talking tributes.
The founder and host of the long-running "Emme’s Island Moments" specials was inducted into the Hawai‘i Restaurant Association’s Hall of Fame last week. "I’m the only one who’s not a chef," she said of the orchid blooming anew in her career. After all, the other honorees are all involved in the food/restaurant biz: Colin Nishida, Randy Schoch, William Kimi Jr., Buddy Nobriga, Victor Lim, Tsutao and Harriet Morioka, and the Honda ohana (Josephine, Dennis and Dulcie).
Then again, year after year, Tomimbang has been cooking up platefuls of TV "moments," exploring island chefs, community newsmakers and celebs.
It’s a recipe that’s worked for her, however, so the second tribute — the Filipino Community Center’s "Sharing Memorable Moments With Emme & Friends" gala — rightfully is geared to her story-sharing journey. It’s set for Nov. 9 at the FilCom Center in Waipahu.
Celebrity chefs Alan Wong, Roy Yamaguchi, D.K. Kodama and others will be on hand for the salute; her entertainer pal Willie K will provide music. For tickets, call 680-0451. …
SHOW BUZZ: Two musicals with diverse styles are drawing audiences howling with delight. The biggie is Paliku Theatre’s "Les Misérables," a lush production with impeccable casting and big voices led by Kip Wilborn (Jean Valjean) and Leslie "Buz" Tennent (Inspector Javert), directed by Ron Bright. It’s the fall season’s blockbuster, with local boy-turned-Broadway-star Cliffton Hallas the suits-him-perfectly romantic Marius.This homegrown mounting is something we all can be proud of. Tickets are scarce, though an extension through Oct. 27 means more fans can savor the beloved Broadway and London fave in all its glory — with stupendous chorus and orchestral work. It just doesn’t get better than this. …
At Manoa Valley Theatre, "The Toxic Avenger" (running through Oct. 6) is an off-Broadway classic, directed by Hannah Schauer Galli, about a polluted New Jersey lad (Joshua Haili-Silva) who transforms into a toxic and disfigured avenger (dubbed "Toxie" by his blind gal pal, played by Michelle Boudreau). He yanks arms off folks who ruin the environment; it’s goofy, tongue-in-cheek mayhem with a nostalgic rock score and a duo (Tim Jeffryes and Kaimana Ramos) rendering outrageous multiple roles (including drag) with remarkable stamina, matched only by the two-faced, split-personality mayor/mom (Jenn Thomas). The language is occasionally racy and the theme may be unsuitable for the very young, but everyone else will hoot approval ’cause it’s never dull. …
DATEBOOK: Tony Conjugacion‘s "Kamau Pono XVI: Hula o ka Poli (Dance of the Heart)," at 7 p.m. Saturday at Mamiya Theatre on the Saint Louis/Chaminade campus, will feature Starr Kalahiki, Kit Ebersbach, Dwight Kana‘e, Danny Kiaha and kumu hula Conjugacion and his Halau Na Wainohia. Tickets: $25 and $100 (includes early seating, a CD and post-show reception), at www.lamakusociety. com. …
The Hapa Haole Hula Competition and Music Festival, at 4 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Hawaii Theatre, will assemble a lei of stars of mele and hula: Marlene Sai, Robert Cazimero, Halau Na Kamalei o Lililehua, the Royal Dance Company, Michael Pili Pang, Halau Hula Ka No‘eau, Paul Shimomoto, Ku‘ulei Hazlewood, Nola Nahulu, Kawaiolaonapukanileo, the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus and the University of Hawaii Hawaiian Ensemble. Organized by Vicky Holt Takamine, the event is a veritable stroll down memory lane to another era. Tickets: $20 and $25, at www.hawaiitheatre.com or via the PA‘I Foundation. Call 792-0890. …
ITEMIZATIONS: Parents of boys ages 7 through 12 might want to consider membership in the Honolulu Boy Choir. The world-famous ensemble now is holding open auditions for its 40th anniversary season. Experience is not necessary; the desire to sing counts most. There’s no fee to join. For an appointment to audition, call 596-7464 or email Blake Nuibe at bnuibe@hotmail.com. …
And that’s "Show Biz." …
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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.
