Michael Aitkens, author of "Heaven Forbid!," will fly here from his home in England for the world premiere of his play, which launches an 11-performance run June 20 at Hawaii Theatre. KHON2 news anchor Joe Moore and Academy Award-winning Patty Duke co-star as rebellious seniors at the Ocean View Retirement Home in New Jersey — and yes, having an Oscar winner (best supporting actress for 1962’s "The Miracle Worker," in which Duke played Helen Keller) aboard also is a rarity.
Sounds like a momentous workout looms; Duke arrived here Friday "for fast and furious rehearsals," Moore said.
The "Heaven" cast features Rob Duval, who also is directing, plus Paul Mitri, Stephanie Conching, Tricia Marciel, George O’Hanlon and Stacy Ray Groves.
Aitkens describes "Heaven" as a smart adult comedy that holds a mirror up to the dilemmas of aging and remaining independent in the face of those who wish the old would just fade away.He also writes episodes for the light-hearted BBC murder-mystery series "Midsomer Murders."
Tickets: $32 and $37 (VIP seats, $75); call the box office, 528-0506. …
SEAWORTHY: Johnson Enos has been workshopping and touring his "Honu by the Sea" musical with seven cast members plus a 27-minute "Imagine" show that blends educational ocean awareness with whimsical sea life characters from "Honu," which had a brief commercial run at The Royal Hawaiian hotel’s Monarch Room. The abbreviated show has played the North Shore Ocean Fest, schools and the Seattle and Waikiki aquariums.The Honu ohana appears at 5 p.m. Thursday at a celebration of National Oceans Month at Honolulu Hale. …
And Ke Kani O Ke Kai, the Waikiki Aquarium’s summer seaside serenades, will be an Outrigger Hotels presentation for the first time. The family-friendly series kicks offat 7 p.m. Thursday (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) and runs on alternate Thursdays through Aug. 18, with this lineup: Thursday, John Cruz and Nathan Aweau; June 27, KUmZ and Manu Boyd; July 11, Mark Yamanaka and Darren Benitez; July 25, Amy Hanaiali‘i and Hi‘ikua; and Aug. 8, The Makaha Sons. Tickets: www. waquarium.org/KKOKK.
DATEBOOK: The Honolulu Boy Choir will pay homage to U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka at "We Are Young Men of This Country," its 39th annual spring concert, at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Central Union Church’s sanctuary. Akaka has been a longtime honorary member of the group’s advisory board and remains a card-carrying member of the Musicians Union. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with preshow music by Mihana Souza & Friends. Concert guests include Dr. Kalani Brady, Frank De Lima, Kenny Endo‘s Center of the Pacific Youth Group and emcee Maleko. Admission is free, with donations accepted at the door. …
Ali Campbell of UB40 will be among the troupers at the MayJah RayJah 2013 Music Festival, which kicks off 4 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Kakaako Waterfront Amphitheater. Also aboard: Rebel SoulJahz, Common Kings featuring Tenelle, Opihi Pickers, Kapena, Summer, HiRemedy and Everyday Aloha.Tickets: www.MayJahRayJah.com or www.AMTickets.com. …
WITH SYMPATHY: Condolences to Bruno Marsand his family for the untimely loss of his mother, Bernadette Hernandez. Mars had been poised to launch his "Unorthodox Jukebox" tour June 22 in Washington, D.C., which apparently will go on despite the grieving period. His popularity and success remain unmatched; he was on the May cover of Rolling Stone and was the Entertainment Weekly cover boy two weeks ago (with beaucoup pics inside). He just concluded an investment deal with NJOY, an e-cig product, though his role is that of an investor, not spokesman. He’s still enjoying his prolific songwriting/singing reign via "Locked Out of Heaven," "When I Was Your Man" and "Treasure." …
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.
