Cliffton Hall, a former Kailuan, and spouse DeeDee Magno Hall joined the “If/Then” national tour last month in Denver.
This is the Idina Menzel Broadway musical — a fave two seasons ago — that boasts two story lines in the life of Elizabeth (played by Menzel, who’s on the tour), a city planner who returns to the Big Apple to jump-start her life. Menzel earned a Tony nomination for this role. …
Hall plays a bartender, among other roles, and understudies Lucas, played by Anthony Rapp, from the original “Rent” cast. Wife Magno Hall portrays Kathy but understudies Elizabeth. …
Another local, Joseph Morales, is aboard as a swing actor. Hall and Morales were regulars in the late Ronald E. Bright’s Broadway shows here, so Mr. B must be smiling joyfully from the great theater in the sky. Hall earlier starred in “Miss Saigon” and was in the touring company of “Wicked” when it played Blaisdell Concert Hall. …
“If/Then” is at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco through Dec. 6, then moves Dec. 8 to Jan. 3 to the Hollywood Pantages in Los Angeles, and Jan. 5-10 to the San Diego Civic Theatre. …
BROADWAY NOTES: New York critics (see review on Page F8) were lukewarm to “Allegiance,” the new George Takei–Lea Salonga musical about Japanese internment camps now at the Longacre Theatre. The New York Times: “‘Allegiance’ has a complicated story to unfold and to humanize. It does a reasonable job of providing a nuanced view of events, the occasional swerve into melodrama notwithstanding. … Mr. Takei is warmly touching as Ojii-chan, gently nurturing the romance between Kei (Salonga) and Frankie (Christopheren Nomura) before decorously (sniff) dying. … Ms. Salonga takes the vocal lead on what seems to be every other number.” …
NBC New York: “‘Allegiance’ is likely to spur questions about whether the actions of the U.S. government are overstaged … or sugarcoated. … There is a relevance to the current political climate concerning immigrants that rings loud and clear.” …
Hollywood Reporter: “The most moving work comes from beloved ‘Star Trek’ veteran Takei, who brings gentle, albeit sometimes corny, humor to Ojii-chan. His deep personal association to the material and evidence of a generous spirit of forgiveness dictate the tone, and are among the show’s strengths.” …
Dr. Mark Muigiishi, a Hawaii producer, said a dozen current Broadway actors took in the opening gala, along with such celebs as Howard Stern, Robin Quivers, Lance Bass, Perez Hilton, Wayne Brady, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Bryan Singer. …
Meanwhile, Tony nominee Loretta Ables Sayre popped into her old stomping grounds at Lincoln Center on Nov. 7 to catch “The King and I.” The “South Pacific” star surprised the cast with a backstage visit, but choreographer-performer from Hawaii Greg Zane (assistant choreographer of “King”) knew Ables Sayre was in the house, thanks to his theater “spies.” …
WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Ukulele wiz Aidan James, 14, will open for Kristi Yamaguchi and Brian Boitano’s “Golden Moment Hawaii,” the ice skating spectacle playing Friday and Saturday at Blaisdell Arena. James was enthusiastic about this gig, since he shares Yamaguchi’s passion to help kids; the fundraiser is for Hawaii’s Title I public schools to promote early childhood literacy through Olympian Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation. …
Skaters include Shizuka Arakawa, Meryl Davis and Charlie White, Katia Gordeeva, Kurt Browning, Yuka Sato, Miki Ando, Takeishi Honda and Jeremy Abbott. Unusual twist: Manoa DNA and Na Leo will play live, accompanying skaters Abbott and Sato. Lloyd Kawakami and sons Nick and Alex Kawakami will sing “Live Aloha” and “Dancing in the Rain” for Abbott; Nalani Choy, Lehua Kalima and Angela Morales will render “The Rest of Your Life” for Sato. …
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.
