Vanita Rae Smith, retired producer-director of the defunct Richardson Theatre at Fort Shafter, will mark her 70th birthday Saturday at her Maunawili home. Her niece, Jayme Alexander, is corralling Smith’s friends and stage associates to an open house/birthday celebration. Invitations are necessary, of course, but no gifts — "unless it is a paperback script of a musical, comedy, or drama, with your notes — her college students can put them to good use," according to a Facebook advisory from Alexander.
But as much as this will be Smith’s big Hawaii 7-0 milestone, it will be a rare chance for invitees to examine and peruse her Roy Rogers memorabilia collection, which includes a gun-and-holster set and three rifles. The items were secured over the years in estate sales, such as one for Boxcar Willie that was held in Branson, Mo.
I remember when Smith wanted me to check out a Christie’s auction in New York in 2010, when the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum had a sale that included the former’s horse, Trigger, and his dog Bullet. I couldn’t get access, it was so packed.
Smith now is on the teaching staff of Kip Wilborn‘s School of Performing Arts at New Hope’s Sand Island Road facilities. You remember Wilborn: He was Jean Valjean in Paliku Theatre’s "Les Miserables" last fall; his stage academy is one to watch.
Teaching beginning actors last semester, Smith will lead acting and musical theater sessions for advanced students this session. …
And next up: Smith will direct Manoa Valley Theatre’s Hawaii premiere of the Tony Award-winning Bruce Norris comedy/drama "Clybourne Park," opening May 22. …
AROUND TOWN: Milton Lau, organizer of the annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival and a strummer himself, has reason to be gleeful this year. Acoustic Guitar magazine last week named his event as one of the "50 States & 50 Must-See-Events" in America. "To say the least, we’re thrilled," said Lau. FYI, this year’s Oahu event — the 32nd annual — will be held Aug. 17 at Kapiolani Park. …
Bet you didn’t know that one of America’s Great Places, selected by the American Planning Association, is in our midst: Kalakaua Avenue. The association’s 2014 list, just out, names Waikiki’s key thoroughfare as one of the "Great Streets." The list also recognizes "Great Neighborhoods" and "Great Public Places," which reflect "a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement and a vision for tomorrow." …
WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Actor Anthony Ruivivar, who is part of a Los Angeles-based production company, is in the midst of a Pepsi-supported creative project that is part of the numerous activities the soda brand is doing for Super Bowl XLVIII in New Jersey Feb. 2. Meantime, he’s still got some visibility with a recurring role on Cinemax’s "Banshee" series, in which he plays Alex Longshadow, and the Cartoon Network’s animated series "Beware the Batman," on which he voices the Bruce Wayne character. …
The current People magazine is loaded with celebs in Hawaii: ReeseWitherspoon,Jane Seymour and Gwyneth Paltrow, all in bikinis, plus Andrew Garfield, shown surfing. …
FOOD FOCUS: Chef Mavro has brought back its famous onaga baked in a rosemary Hawaiian salt crust, for another two weeks or so to celebrate the restaurant’s 2014 AAA Five Diamond Award from the American Automobile Association. Indeed, this is one of George Mavrothalassitis‘ iconic concoctions, first unveiled when he was at La Mer at the Halekulani Hotel. It is revered not only for the tender and delish onaga, but of the fish by hammering off the salt crust."I’m happy to bring back this recipe and celebrate the Five Diamond Award," Mavro said in a statement. …
Bravo’s "Top Chef" will crown its Season 11 champion in a two-part finale at 8 p.m. Wednesday and Feb. 5. Filming for the "Maui Wowie" episode, in which the cheftestants take on Spam in the Quickfire challenge and then whip up dishes based on Hawaiian "canoe crops," was completed in October at the island’s newest luxury destination, the Andaz Maui at Wailea. Two island guest judges are featured, too: Sam Choy, chef-owner of Sam Choy’s Kai Lanai, and Peter Merriman, chef-owner of Merriman’s and a string of other local restaurants. …
And that’s "Show Biz." …
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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.
