Jonah Ho‘okano, a Kamehameha Schools graduate, looked princely and relaxed when he took in the recent launch of "Heaven Forbid!" at Hawaii Theatre. Ho‘okano was on hiatus from his role as the prince in "Aladdin," the musical ensconced at the Hyperion Theater at Disney’s California Adventure theme park. He takes that magic carpet ride several times a day and, yes, is having the time of his life … but Ho‘okano has hopes for a tryout for casting in the full-fledged Broadway mounting in 2014. …
In "Heaven," KHON2’s Joe Moore lets his inner self out of the closet, jamming like Mick Jagger on "Jumping Jack Flash" and even doing a bit of a mashed-potatoes jig as he lets it all hang out with Oscar winner Patty Duke as his co-star. The confectionery Michael Aitkins comedy, about two retirees in a senior community who find unity (and love) as they speak out for old folks, spells fun. Moore’s character, Barney, tells Elizabeth (Duke) he "still has lead in his pencil," and if you head for the final performance at 2 p.m. today, you’ll also discover that it’s Moore’s most physical role ever —and he still has beaucoup ink in his pen, too. …
OVER THE REIGN-BOW: Shalani Dante, a Hawaii contestant, danced to victory in the 30th Universal ShowQueen Pageant a week ago at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. The title comes with $3,000 cash (it will buy a lot of sequins and feathers) with other prizes totaling $7,000.
Runners-up were Melissa, a Los Angeles contestant, first; Leslie, a competitor from Mexico who now calls Hollywood home, second; and Lupita, a Mexican native now in L.A., third.
The boy-beautiful parade ran more than 41⁄2 hours — way, way too long — and ended after midnight, with feathery, glittery Vegas costumes reflecting sea horse and dolphin motifs.Cheesa Laureta,a 2012 contestant on "The Voice," made quite an impression with her vocal dynamics in the wee hours. (For photos, visit honolulupulse.com.) …
Emme Tomimbang and hubby Jim Burns were tablemates, demonstrating their recovery from separate health issues the past year, along with Jack Cione, who was taking a night off from his "Follies" spectacle debuting July 11 in a new, expanded performing space at Arcadia Retirement Residence. …
WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Willie Geist, a co-host on NBC’s "Today" show, loved Hawaii so much during the cast’s live broadcast last month that he booked a family vacation here. Should be in our midst right now — minus the microphone. …
The June 19 death in Italy of "The Sopranos" star James Gandolfini surely was a surprise. I remember seeing him in 2009’s "God of Carnage" on Broadway, which earned him a deserved Tony Award nomination. And while the HBO anti-hero gangster role dominated his fame, he had a lingering presence on Broadway ("On the Waterfront," "A Streetcar Named Desire"). Thus the Great White Way dimmed the lights for a minute in memory of Gandolfini on Wednesday evening.
He married local girl Deborah Lin (they have a daughter, Liliana) and took a keen interest in local performers, among them Audy Kimura, who recalls that Gandolfini ordered three of his CDs and played them at a New Jersey beach house. …
BOOK ‘EM: Not one to break tradition, "Hawaii Five-0" executive producer Peter Lenkov has confirmed a fourth "Sunset on the Beach" launch one night before the CBS series premieres nationally. So "Sunset" will be staged Sept. 26, a Thursday, in Waikiki; "Five-0" premieres 8 p.m. (9 p.m. on the mainland) Sept. 27 in its the new Friday slot on KGMB. Presumably, the stars will make the red-carpet trek. …
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.
