Joe Moore and Pat Sajak, longtime Army buddies from the Vietnam War era and iconic television figures since, will reunite onstage when they co-star in a mystery-drama, “Dial M for Murder,” in 11 performances June 21 through July 1 at the Hawaii Theatre Center.
Moore, the top-rated veteran KHON2 news anchor for decades, will star as Tony Wendice, a former British tennis pro, who discovers his wealthy American wife had an affair with Max Halliday, an American crime writer portrayed by Sajak, best known as host of the TV game show “Wheel of Fortune.”
In the Frederick Knott drama, directed by Paul Mitri, the husband devises a plot to murder his wife, Margot (Stacy Ray), by blackmailing a former acquaintance, Captain Lesgate (Nigel Bannister) to carry out the scheme, which goes awry. So Wendice now has to worm his way out of the dilemma by outwitting the investigating officer, Chief Investigator Hubbard (Timothy Jeffryes).
With Moore in Hawaii and Sajak splitting time between California and Florida, the rehearsals have been challenging. “Pat and I have started rehearsing out scenes via Skype, until he arrives early next month,” said Moore. It’s a solution they’ve utilized in the past.
“A big challenge for me? Doing a British accent for the length of the play,” said Moore. “I’ve been working on it for about six months, using a top dialect coach (David Stern) in Connecticut, who has worked with some top Hollywood actors on various accents.”
“Dial” will be the duo’s first show in four years; the last, in 2014, was “Wrestling Ernest Hemingway,” a comedy. The upcoming show will dwell on mystery and drama, another challenge for a pair acclimated to hilarious plots.
As usual, proceeds from the play will benefit the Hawaii Theatre. Tickets: $75 VIP (includes a meet-and-greet with the cast), $35 and $25, at 528-0506 or hawaiitheatre.com. …
‘RISE’ AND FALL
The cancellation of NBC’s “Rise,” the high school drama about a struggling theater program and its devoted teacher (played by Josh Radnor) attempting to mount “Spring Awakening” as a message-laden endeavor, demonstrates in art and in reality the fragility of drama programs in the schools and in the community.
There’s a noticeable lack of support for the performing arts on campuses everywhere; “Rise” clearly depicted that tough, struggling road for an unfunded program, despite the vast talent in the ranks.
We in Hawaii have a special attachment to this one-season wonder: Auli‘i Cravalho, 17, who played the maligned rising star Lilette Suarez. She is our fave from Disney’s “Moana,” in which she voiced the seafaring heroine, singing “How Far I’ll Go,” a valid post-“Rise” sentiment.
Since one of the producers of “Rise,” Jeffrey Sellers, is also one of the producers of “Hamilton,” and he’s had her back, we’d like to assume that she may eventually emerge in a Lin-Manuel Miranda vehicle. An end means a new beginning; disappointment can provoke enlightenment; from failure, new energy ignites success. Let’s not mourn, but celebrate the future.
She’ll be home for her Kamehameha Schools commencement later this month. …
NAMES ’N’ PLACES
Damon Elliott, a solo artist performing as NomaD, joins his mom, singer Dionne Warwick, at the Blue Note Hawaii (final show, 8 p.m. Sunday). He is a contender for Best Breakout Artist in iHeart Radio’s inaugural Island Music Awards, in Honolulu on June 9. NomaD also has founded a label, NomaD Crew, joining the ohana of pioneering Fijian reggae artist George “Fiji” Veikoso. Cheers! …
“Star Wars” icon Mark Hamill and “Stranger Things” breakout trouper Noah Schnapp have joined the voice cast of the film “Hallowaiian: Adventure Hawaii.” They join previously announced Teilor Grubbs, Mark Dacascos and Tia Carrere, all with previous “Hawaii Five-0” ties. The flick, due this Halloween, deals with a mythical monster lurking one Halloween in Hawaii. Boo! …
Aiea’s Hale Motuapuaka, a Punahou senior, is the 2018 World Fireknife Champion, twirling pass second-placer Yuya Matsushima of Japan and third-finisher Joseph Cadousteau (and former champ) of Papeete, in the fiery competition last weekend at the We Are Samoan fete at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Congrats! …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
