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This story has been corrected. See below.
Local boy Tom Lee, a 1991 Mililani High grad who has been part of the Broadway and opera scene for the past 15 years, is onstage at the Metropolitan Opera where he performs his specialty: puppetry. He was part of the elaborate horse puppet element in Lincoln Center’s Tony Award-winning "War Horse" a few years back and now shares the stage in "Madama Butterfly" with Chinese soprano Hui He, who is singing the Cio-Cio San title role. An actor who transitioned into puppetry and design — he studied traditional puppetry in Japan — Lee is on the faculty of Sarah Lawrence College in New York when he’s not on stage.
His next biggie will be a work titled "The Shank’s Mare," which he created with fifth-generation Japanese master puppeteer Koryu Nishikawa. It combines shamisen and hammer dulcimer music with modern puppetry techniques alongside traditional Japanese cart puppetry called "kuruma ningyo" (because the puppeteer sits on a wheeled seat to manipulate the puppet). This cultural hybrid will premiere in New York in 2015, and a Japan tour is planned. Perhaps Hawaii, too, for hometowners? …
MOM’S THE WORD: With Mother’s Day a week away, a round of special shows is on the radar:
» Ho‘okena‘s Mother’s Day celebration, from 11 a.m., assembles the trio and star-studded guests: Robert Cazimero, Keali‘i Reichel, Ben Vegas and Maila Gibson. Rodney Villanueva emcees at the Ala Moana Hotel’s Hibiscus Ballroom. Tickets: $75. Call 944-4333.
» Kupaoa at 11 a.m. at the Halekulani hotel. It’s a Na Hoku Hanohano luncheon event. Ledward Kaapana teams up with Mike Kaawa at the Halekulani on May 25. Call 923-2311.
» Augie T‘s Mother’s Day brunch show is an expansive affair, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m, at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii’s Manoa Grand Ballroom. Guesting: Jordan Segundo, Mike Tulba and Friends, Mahea Tulba (Miss Jr. Teen West Oahu 2014), Nelson the Great Magician, and fashion icons Takeo and Eric, with Lil Guy emceeing. Cost: $55 for adults, $30 for children. Call 479-0576 or visit www.augiet.com.
» Frank De Lima will do not one, but two Mother’s Day shows at C’est Si Bon at Pagoda Floating Restaurant. A brunch buffet show from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. is $55 for adults, $25 for children ages 3 to 10; a dinner buffet show from 6 to 8:30 p.m. is $60 for adults, $30 for kids. De Lima’s been tirelessly working on new material for his recent and current shows; for moms,his Auntie Maria Tunta character will belt out Pharrell Williams‘ "Happy" hit,redone as "I’m So Happy It’s Madda’s Day." Call 948-8370. …
PERSONALITIES: Actress Ming-Na Wen ("Joy Luck Club," "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.") and husband Eric Michael Zee loved George Mavrothalassitis‘ chef’s menu on the new spring menu at Chef Mavro restaurant. She chatted with the award-winning chef about where she’s lived — New York, Paris and now Los Angeles — during a spring break vacation and admitted the couple "saved the best for last," meaning a meal at Mavro’s, before departing. …
The Brothers Cazimero staged their sell-out Lei Day concert Friday on Maui at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.Inasmuch as the city has expanded its May 1 May Day festivities beyond the mere lei competition, it’s time to raise the issue again: Shouldn’t the city nudge Robert and Roland Cazimero back into the Waikiki Shell limelight to reboot Lei Day as we all remember and still adore? It was a signature event that many visitors planned trips around, so perhaps Mr. Mayor, Kirk Caldwell, should make this one of his Cabinet priorities? …
PASSING MENTION: Condolences to theDennis Kamakahiohana; he died, at age 61, of lung cancer Monday. Fans of Hawaiian music, slack-key guitar and hula have been touched by his music, so it’s heartening to know that "Pua Hone," "Wahine ‘Ilikea" and "Koke‘e" will live on forever as part of his legacy. …
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.
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CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misidentified the performer for the Na Hoku Hanohano lunchtime concert on Mother’s Day at the Halekulani. Kupaoa is performing on Sunday, May 11; Ledward Kaapana and Mike Kaawa are performing at the hotel the following Sunday, May 25.
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