Look for third-generation actors from the Ronald and Mo Brightohana in theatrical productions here and in California.
Caitlin Bright, a senior at Castle High School, will be seen in "Footloose," local boy Dean Pitchford‘s beloved musical, Friday through March 29 (weekends only) at the Ronald E. Bright Theatre. Caitlin is the retired director’s granddaughter and the daughter of Michael and Jade Bright, both still occasionally active acting parents (Michael’s a Broadway and tour vet). In "Footloose," Caitlin plays Ariel, opposite Jacob Yamaguchi as Ren, the central love interests in a nowhere town called Bomont where dancing is forbidden.Karen Meyer is directing the show that Ron Bright earlier directed in the theater that now bears his name. For seats, visit www.showtix4u.com. …
Over at Fullerton College in California, the Brights’ second-oldest grandson, Timothy Bright, is in the ensemble of the college’s spring musical, "Drowsy Chaperone," which debuts Thursday. Tim’s a sophomore and active in the school’s theater program; his parents are Clarke and Lynell Bright, Clarke being the current Royal Hawaiian Band instructor and Lynell a Kamehameha Schools elementary music teacher. The couple will catch a weekend performance to support Tim, who’ll also engage in a weeklong educational theater tour of New York later this month with his classmates and professors. …
HERE ‘N’ THERE: Ukulele stylist Taimane Gardner, who regularly performs in Waikiki and was a favorite in the late Don Ho‘s shows, will mark the release of her planetary-inspired CD from 7 to 10 p.m. March 28 at Bishop Museum. She will share some tunes off her new self-produced album, "We Are Made of Stars," in a program incorporating the band Quadraphonix, poet Kealoha, tribal drummers, aerialists and fire dancers. Gardner’s originals are inspired by the heavens and planets — "Mother Earth," "Venus," "Mars," "Jupiter," "Mercury" and more. Heavenly, inspired listening. Admission is free; doors open at 6:30 p.m., and for this one you can bring your own picnic suppers, beverages and lawn chairs. …
The concert of hula and mele dubbed "Open Windows — An Evening With Robert Cazimero," will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Hawaii Theatre. It is so named because the event will be akin to a bash in Cazimero’s living room, with open windows (and sort of open doors, too), because his gents from Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua and the ladies of the Royal Dance Company will breeze in and out, with beaucoup hula and vocals. And there will be special guests: Raiatea Helm, paying tribute to the late Auntie Genoa Keawe, and Hu‘ewa, a trio making a name for itself. Helm is one of the few warblers who can hang on to that everlasting note that was the trademark of the uke-strumming tutu on "Alika." For tickets, call 528-0506 or go to www.hawaiitheatre.com. …
WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Ledward Kaapana literally is filling the late Rev. Dennis Kamakahi‘s shoes. Or boots. In a Facebook posting, Kaapana shows his boots — the very ones his pal Dennis once wore, which were a gift from Robin Kamakahi, Dennis’ widow, because they wear the same size. "Brings back so much good memories," said Kaapana of his cherished acquisition. …
For Wally "Famous" Amos, the cookie just never crumbles. Last week he marked the 40th anniversary of the launch of his Famous Amos chocolate-chip cookies on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. The nibbles, though bearing his name, are no longer his creation, but he’s reinvented himself (and his cookie name) yet again, with a new moniker, The Cookie Kahuna. Same recipe, however, and if you ever get a whiff of his handmade cookies, you won’t resist buying. Go to his website, www.thecookiekahuna.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.
