Augie T’s VP role still lets him enjoy ‘Funny Business’

Wonder why Augie T, the local comedian, isn’t on radio anymore? Don’t get alarmed. He’s ventured into the home alarm business as a vice president of Hi Alarm (Hawaii Alarm).

So Augie now is the face of Hi Alarm — his smiling image adorns four company cars you may have seen tooling around the city. I always see one parked at the Koko Marina Center in Hawaii Kai.

But Augie hasn’t abandoned comedy; in fact, laughter is very much the essence of "Funny Business," a reality show about Hi Alarm now shooting for an Oct. 8 launch on OC16 (www.funnybusiness.tv).

The series intends to depict the day-to-day experiences of a new alarm system company as it builds relationships among the crew and a client base; some actors have been hired as salesmen competing for global prizes.

Augie was lured into the fold by Art Miller, who "retired" in Tennessee to relocate here. He saw the stand-up in a show at Dot’s Wahiawa and was eager to give his alarm company a quick local fix. Augie was hired; and yes, Miller is very much a part of "Funny Business," too.

So is Mel Cabang, a colleague of Augie’s; he’s the senior marketing adviser with a mission to work with the elderly who may need one of those medical pendants in a time of emergency.

The pendant factored into Augie’s decision to sign on: His dad was gifted with one and it turned out to be a lifesaver. "That’s what convinced me to join the company," Augie said. …

BROADWAY BITS: Hal Prince, the winningest Broadway producer-director (he’s collected the most Tony Awards, 21), brought his family to The Royal Hawaiian’s Monday-only beachfront Hawaiian luau spectacle and soaked up the Tihati-produced show and gourmet food. …

On another night, Prince was gracious to interrupt his vacation to meet with John Rampage, Diamond Head Theatre’s artistic director; Dwight Martin, producing director at Manoa Valley Theatre; and Paul Palmore, theater director at Punahou School, at the Halekulani’s Orchids restaurant. Prince’s longtime pal, Joy Abbott, hosted the informal session so the three theater figures could informally query the director about "Phantom of the Opera" and scores of other iconic Broadway shows spanning five decades. …

Besides "Phantom," Prince produced or directed many ofGeorge Abbott‘s hit shows, like "Damn Yankees" and "The Pajama Game," and brought his creative genius to several Stephen Sondheim hits, like "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "A Little Night Music," "Sweeney Todd" and "Follies." Other Prince blockbusters: "Cabaret," "Show Boat" and "Kiss of the Spider Woman."

Meantime, Joy Abbott, a singer who is the widow of George Abbott, will stage a concert of Hollywood music with pianistBetty Lou Taylor Thursday night for the residents of the Arcadia retirement home. …

PAU HANA: Lani Misa­lucha closed Saturday night at the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel’s Magic of Polynesia showroom after an eight-month run. While praised for her powerful voice and versatility in a range of music (Broadway, rock, jazz), the show could not muster up the numbers to play out her year’s contract with producer Roberts Hawaii. Thus, Roberts pulled the plug, though details of the closure were not revealed. Magician John Hirokawa continues as the featured talent earlier in the evening.

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.