Hawaii veteran of theater, TV lived life on stage
Wisa D’Orso, a veteran of theater, television and nightclubs, and a luminary off and on stage, died Monday in Waimanalo. She was 84. Read more
Latest Stories by Wayne Harada
Show Biz: ‘West Side Story’ film reboot stars Ansel Elgort
“West Side Story” is on track to be rebooted, yet again, with filming slated to start in the summer of 2019. Read more
Show Biz: Willy Falk bringing ‘Mostly Love’ to Hawaii
A trio of Hawaii’s Broadway troupers — all Punahou grads — continue to dot the showscape. Read more
Loretta Ables Sayre puts stamp on ‘Dolly!’
Loretta Ables Sayre has altered the Dolly Gallagher Levi playbook to suit her lower vocal register and plus-size profile, enabling her to put a personal spin on the titular figure of “Hello, Dolly!” Read more
Streetlight Cadence plays for food in new TV series
For its selfie-oriented millennial generation of fans, the Streetlight Cadence alt-folk-pop band is prepping to launch “Will Play for Food” on KFVE. Read more
Show Biz: Hit Broadway shows cast blind eye to color, gender
Last week, we reviewed “Carousel,” “Hello, Dolly!,” “SpongeBob Squarepants” and “Pretty Woman;” we continue the Broadway coverage, with more flashes of color-blind casting plus gender-bending. Read more
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Show Biz: Bette Midler wows in ‘Dolly’ during final Broadway run
It’s in-between seasons now on Broadway, with the final curtain drawn for 2018 as the big reveal of the fall shows proceeds in full gear. Read more
‘The Wiz’ at Paliku a bright, brilliant production
“The Wiz” at Paliku Theatre is an undeniable tribute to the late Ronald Bright, perpetuating the drama educator and mentor’s storytelling skills with an incredibly polished cast and formidable dance presence. Read more
Show Biz: Kevin McCollum bringing ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ to Broadway
Kevin McCollum, the former Honolulu resident whose Tony Award-winning Broadway credits include “Rent,” “Avenue Q,” “In the Heights” and “Something Rotten,” will produce the stage musical “Mrs. Doubtfire” based on the 1993 film that starred the late Robin Williams. Read more
Show Biz: Ruthie Ann Miles joins ‘King and I’ cast
Hawaii’s Ruthie Ann Miles, who won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Lady Thiang in the Lincoln Center reboot of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, “The King and I,” will be part of a filmed version of the London production due this fall. Read more
Actor Jason Tam plays Squip in cult favorite ‘Be More Chill’
Jason Tam, the Broadway actor from Honolulu, is in the cast of a new cult favorite, “Be More Chill,” playing to untold sellouts and cheers, in a limited run through Sept. 23 at the Signature Theatre on 42nd Street. Read more
New Augie Rey show pays tribute to Waikiki legends
“Waikiki, Then & Now” is hosted by Augie Rey and features his daughter, singer Tahiti Rey. You can catch the two sets Monday at Blue Note Hawaii. Read more
Ruthie Ann Miles returns to stage after tragic accident
Ruthie Ann Miles, the Tony Award-winning actress from Hawaii, finally joined her castmates in “The King and I” earlier this month in London, where the Rodgers & Hammerstein evergreen is playing at the London Palladium. Read more
Frank De Lima delivers new parodies in school program
Comedian Frank De Lima just launched his annual Student Enrichment Program, and his message will be “Get Smarter, Get Healthier, Get Kinder.” He’ll tour 120 schools this academic year. Read more
Actress, nightclub impresario Mai Tai Sing displayed refinement
Mai Tai Sing, a mainstay of Waikiki night life who started her career at the famed Forbidden City nightclub in San Francisco before appearing in numerous films and TV shows, died July 11. Read more
Willie K’s Blue Note return showcases his humor, talent
Willie K’s back — he resumed his monthly Blue Note Hawaii gig on July 17 — and clearly, he’s absorbing the incredible energy from his fans. Read more
Rapper Cardi B tops list of 2018 MTV VMA nominations
Rapper Cardi B and her husband, Offset, welcomed a daughter July 10 and named her Kulture Kiari Cephus. Read more
John Travolta, Kelly Preston get malasada fix at Leonard’s Bakery
Hawaii-born Kelly Preston gave Leonard’s Bakery’s malasadas a huge boost in the July 2 edition of People magazine. Read more
Shari Lynn enjoys New York, Eden Lee Murray joins La Pietra
Shari Lynn is on her annual work-and-play trip to New York, while Eden Lee Murray, former Hawaii Theatre Center education director, joins the faculty at La Pietra. Read more
Konishiki captivates, Joy Abbott celebrates, Bruno Mars dominates
Konishiki’s new regimen for sharing his music and aloha with fans will indeed include a gig at the Blue Note Nagoya, but the retired sumotori will be on the high seas performing his see- and sea-worthy revue in the months to come. Read more
Manu Bentley, 87, danced hula and produced shows nationwide
Gloria Manu Kanemura Bentley, known in the entertainment community as Manu Bentley, was a show biz hyphenate: dancer, choreographer, producer, director and costume designer. She died in her sleep at home last month. Read more
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