Theater veterans Shari Lynn and Kip Wilborn — fresh from their “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” triumph at Mamiya Theatre — will be featured in “Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits” at 7:30 p.m. May 16, 17 and 19 and at 4 p.m. May 20 at Temple Emanu-El, 2550 Pali Hwy.
The off-Broadway fave, a creation of Gerard Alessandrini, is legendary in New York for its skewering of Great White Way stars and hit shows over the decades.
Singers-actors Buz Tennent and Annie Renick are also in the cast; Vanita Rae Smith, former Army Community Theatre honcho, will direct; Maika‘i Nash is pianist.
“What makes this incarnation rather unique is that we are going to do it in Vanita’s inimitable Readers Theater style,” said Lynn. “That also is why most of us are available because we don’t have to memorize everything. (The director said that if memory fails, the cast can resort to the text).
Smith had lined up Lynn and Wilborn — the latter was eager to experience Readers Theater at Pohai Nani, where actors utilize scripts — but Temple Emanu-El was in the market for a fundraiser. Lenny Klompus, who is producing, suggested the LOL show, which cleverly parodies and tosses darts at the Broadway community.
So the likes of Carol Channing and Barbra Streisand are targeted, with tidbits from “Wicked,” “Les Miserables,” “Hello, Dolly!,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and more.
Kathe James’ costumes and adornments will suggest the characters, with easily on-and-off garments compatible with the brisk pace.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Smith, “and we had to work around the temple’s calendar to secure play dates.” Lights, sound and other tech needs are being rented since the production will be in the temple’s activities room seating about 250, adjoining the sanctuary.
Tickets: $35, at shaloha.com. Call 595-7521. …
ALOHA FOR WILLIE
Willie K’s benefit show Tuesday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village lawn was a monumental success, financially and musically. It raised $75,000-plus, from ticket sales and a $12,500 winning bid in a silent auction for an autographed Kanile‘a ukulele won by Mi Kosasa of ABC Stores. An additional $53,000 had been raised via GoFundMe and a Hilo benefit pulled in $10,000. Proceeds from a Maui benefit are still pending.
“We did very well, exceeding our goal,” said the event organizer Cha Thompson.
An all-star roster performed for a crowd of 500; Willie capped the evening with a closing performance that triggered a series of standing ovations.
His offerings ranged from the anticipated (“Katchi Katchi Music Makawao,” “You, Kuuipo”) to the unexpected (a Hawaiian number, danced by daughter Lisette), from the potent (“Nessun Dorma,” the aria showcasing his operatic power) to the emotional (“Hallelujah,” the inspirational Leonard Cohen classic).
Emme Tomingbang’s 8-minute documentary, “My Journey With Cancer,” was screened; it captures a no-holds-barred impromptu and hilarious Willie prepping for chemo/radiation treatment on Maui and getting musical cheers for a speedy recovery from a network of industry peers such as Steven Tyler, Jack Johnson, Mick Fleetwood, Marty Dread, Shep Gordon, Willie Nelson, Gretchen Rose and Kris Kristofferson. …
JOLLY GOOD CELLO
Brian Webb, a founding member of the alt-folk pop band Streetlight Cadence, brought his unconventional acoustic cello when he visited the Mid-Pacific Institute campus April 16, showcasing his animated cello-playing skills.
Webb plays his 25-pound cello strapped to his body and moves, dances, prances and jumps to connect with his audience and project his music.
One student felt that style was “weird,” another lad wished he could emulate Webb’s style.
Streetlighters Jonathan Franklin (guitar), Ben Chai (drums, guitar) and Jesse Shiroma (accordion) joined Webb in a workshop for Elton Masaki’s MPI orchestra then performed with student musicians in a free evening concert in Bakken Auditorium. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran Honolulu entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or email wayneharada@gmail.com.
