On the Scene

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTISER.COM
MEET FIVE "SHOWSTOPPERS" | 1. Cast members Guy Merola, left, Madison Eror, Sam Hesch, Shawna Masuda and Raymon del Barrio enjoyed the opening-night cast party for "Showstoppers," an original musical revue, Feb. 25 at Army Community Theatre. The five are among the brightest stars in director Brett Harwood's ambitious look at seven decades of Broadway hits. See the review at www.honolulupulse.com.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTISER.COM
A "GEM" OF A PERFORMANCE | 3. Director Russell Motter, left, and assistant director Anette Kauahikaua talked with cast member Curtis Duncan (Caesar Wilks) at the opening-night reception for "Gem of the Ocean," Feb. 18 at The Actors Group Theatre. Duncan plays the villain of the story and gives one of the strongest performances in the show. For the review, see www.honolulupulse.com.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTISER.COM
HIPA HONORS MELE | 4. Ramsey Pedersen, left, and Jim Ed Norman, co-founders of the Music and Entertainment Learning Experience, or MELE, program, were joined by their wives, Pat Pedersen and Kim Norman, at the Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs' 8th Annual Leadership Awards Dinner Feb. 24 at the Coral Ballroom. Pedersen, Norman and camera-shy Gavan Daws were honored for creating and developing MELE at Honolulu Community College.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTISER.COM
50 IS NOTHING BUT A NUMBER! | 5. Carrie Siko, left, and "golden statue" Caleb Shinobi were part of the decor when event designer Steven Boyle, standing left, celebrated his 50th birthday Feb. 26 in the upper pool at the Waikiki Edition. Debbie Weil-Manuma and Eric Czerlonka were among the friends who partied with him.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTISER.COM
MEL LEADS OFF! | 2. Melveen Leed chatted with emcee Bill "Billy V" Van Osdol after she opened the year's first Aloha Friday Luncheon show Feb. 18 at Kani Ka Pila Grille at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. The ever-popular Hawaiian buffet luncheon was sold out and Leed got it off to a great start, playing "Crazy G" with her ukulele behind her head and dancing hula while singing "Island Style."