With the clock ticking to bring 2013 to a close, it’s time to unveil the Waynies, this column’s annual flashback recap of the year.
There’s little doubt who the Show Biz biggie was this year — Bruno Mars — and his streak likely will extend through 2014. A hot ticket, Mars was all over the map.
But there’s not much to cheer about the Waikiki show scene. Homelessness– not the street variety, but the issue of disappearing performance space — has become a growing concern. Ask the Brothers Cazimero: With space becoming an endangered species, the duo couldn’t set anchor in a room, since there was none. Perhaps the Hawaii Tourism Authority should take note and take action to help reboot island music to where once it was readily heard by visitors and locals alike.
Amid the year’s shining stars, new ones are bubbling under.
So herewith, the 2013 Waynies:
» Star of the year: Bruno Mars. The anointed Hawaii-born crown prince of pop, he has dominated airplay, sales and tours. Last month, he earned Billboard magazine’s artist of the year laurels, and the applause has not yet subsided. He’s tapped to headline Super Bowl XLVIII in New Jersey on Feb. 2. He’s on break from his "Moonshine Jungle" tour, but it resumes in 2014. His chart-busters have included "When I Was Your Man," "Treasure," "Gorilla" and "Locked Out of Heaven." He’s up for five Grammy Awards next month; simply, he’s on a roll.
» Male singer: Mars again for reasons already mentioned.
» Female singer: Jana Alcain, who sang Fantine (and "I Dreamed a Dream") in Paliku Theatre’s "Les Miserables." A thriller of a voice and a performance.
» Homeless but hoping: For the first time ever, the Brothers Cazimero — that’s Robert and Roland Cazimero — faced "homelessness" in 2013. While the duo has an enviable track record as Hawaii Theatre headliners, The Caz haven’t had a regular"home" venue for Hawaiian serenades since closing last December at the now-gone Chai’s Island Bistro. It’s a sad dilemma increasingly faced by other troupers. Such talent should be supported.
»Homecoming hero: Cliffton Hall, the professional actor-singer who guest-starred as Marius in "Les Miserables" at Paliku Theatre, fitting in with his local cohorts.
» Best concept show: Johnson Enos‘ theatrical "Honu by the Sea," with original score, fantasy characters and an environmental theme, which had a brief run at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s Monarch Room. Next stop, Disney?
» Best instrumentalist: Jake Shimabukuro, the ukulele wizard. He’s brought his music beyond the reef but managed to satisfy his local following, too. He ought to set roots in one room, but he continues to actively tour.
» Disappearing acts: The original Society of Seven and spinoff SOS LV. The two groups’ home– the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel’s Main Showroom — abruptly shut down in November, with intentions that it would be renovated and updated with a new format sometime in 2014. It now appears the showroom may not rebound and could face closure. If so, Waikiki would have only three show halls: the Magic of Polynesia Showroom at the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, the "Legends" site in the Royal Hawaiian Center andthe Ainahau Ballroom, home to the Tihati Polynesian spectacle, but the latter will shut down in the summer when the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel undergoes renovations.
» Best theatrical production: "Les Miserables" at Paliku Theatre. Smartly directed by Ronald Bright, brilliantly cast withKip Wilborn as Jean Valjean, Buz Tennentas Inspector Javert. Did you hear these people sing?
» Stars of tomorrow: The Dukes of Surf, a trio comprising JP Lam, Michael Lee and Mike Fish,specializing in the splashy surf sounds. Their CD is out; all it takes is a spot to perform. Also, Aidan James, the ukulele tyke, who’s developing his own style. …
And that’s the Waynies — and "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.
