Broadway singer-actor Jason Tam, who was home to attend Punahou’s recent 175th alumni anniversary celebration, did a Q&A with the cast of Manoa Valley Theatre’s “Lysistrata Jones.” ’Twas a treat for the company, which is staging the play beginning July 7.
It’s a show that Tam was associated with in New York in 2012, a musical comedy about a hapless basketball team that hasn’t won a game in 30 years, adapted from Aristophanes’ Greek comedy “Lysistrata.”
“I had a great trip home; it wasn’t long enough,” said Tam, whose last Broadway musical was “If/Then” with Idina Menzel in 2014. He participated in an SRO Dillingham Hall show with his Punahou alums (screened for 2,000 others outside the theater). Willy Falk, another isle Broadway vet (he was a Tony nominee for creating the role of Chris in the original “Miss Saigon” in 1991), also participated.
Tam has no immediate plans for a Broadway reboot but will reprise his role of Paul San Marco in Michael Bennett’s “A Chorus Line” at 8 p.m. July 29 and 30 at the Hollywood Bowl (he starred in the 2006 Broadway revival). His splendid portrayal should evoke tears. I still remember his power and depth as Paul. Baayork Lee, who is directing and choreographing, is one of the original “Chorus” players who continues to carry on Bennett’s legacy and remains involved in revivals. …
Falk, a vocal student of Neva Rego for years, visited his mentor and her cohort in voice lessons, Betty Grierson, to congratulate their recent induction into the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts’ Lifetime Achievement ranks. …
CONDOLENCES: Steve Jones was all about the bass, a master musician who provided support for some of the town’s finest artists. His death June 19 from prostate cancer saddened many, including his actor son Sean Jones. “My father was my hero,” said Sean. “He exemplified everything that I want to live my life by: love, laughter, honor, respect. His constant support, along with mother’s (Lee Ann), molded me into the man I am today. He always made an effort to include everyone, and I try my best to live my life like that.” …
Said Lee Ann, “Until the very end he said his ‘I love yous’ in his quiet but very weak voice. Those were his last words; he loved us with all his might. Love kept him strong and he never gave up. He fought a great fight.” …
Loretta Ables Sayre, one of the Jones family’s closest allies, said: “My heart is broken over his passing. He put up such a battle for so long. We’re glad he is no longer in pain but we will always miss his presence in our lives. Steve was a rare musician who could move seamlessly between styles of music. He played rock and jazz and Hawaiian music with the same ease as he spoke Japanese — effortlessly and fluently. Steve brought musicians from different genres together; he was the glue and the communicator. He was my bass player, musical director and co-producer of my CD; mostly, he was my friend … like a big brother whom I could talk and laugh and share my heart with, knowing he always had my back.” …
Though in pain and using all his energy, Jones made an appearance in a wheelchair at the Jimmy Borges Monarch Room event June 12 and earned a standing ovation for his valor and dedication. Services are pending. …
BRIEFLY: Little Albert Maligmat makes his Blue Note Hawaii debut Tuesday at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel. …
Cha and Jack Thompson marked their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday but had to scrap a celebratory San Francisco getaway because of looming business ops here. …
CELEB CITY: Actor Gerard Butler (“London Has Fallen”) and girlfriend Morgan Brown enjoyed a Kauai great escape and are pictured in the June 20 edition of US Weekly. …
The mag also was loaded with other celebs holidaying here: Mark Ballas (“Dancing With the Stars”) on Maui with fiancee BC Jean. … Actress-comedian Amy Schumer, working on a film with Goldie Hawn, enjoying sunshine and a boat outing with Hawn’s daughter, Kate Hudson. …
Beyonce and hubby Jay-Z have been on vacation in Hawaii, too, with baby Blue Ivy. They shared online photos. …
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 staradvertiser.com.
