Is a Seawind reunion in the works? Well, lead singer Pauline Wilson, who just did two concerts here with Music Magic to benefit Special Olympics Hawai‘i, is off to Los Angeles for a reunion and recording session with Seawind, the jazz fave from waaaaaay back that has been mostly dormant in recent times. So a new CD suggests a new dawn. In L.A., Wilson’s husband, Dennis McClees, has a gig with isle musician Shawn Ishimoto, aka BB Shawn. …
PERSONALITIES: Hollywood couple Anna Faris ("Scary Movie," "The House Bunny") and Chris Pratt ("Parks and Recreation") are holidaying here; they dined with two pals at Roy’s in Hawaii Kai last week. They’ll be seen in the rom-com "Vacation Friends," in which they befriend another couple while visiting Mexico — then can’t get rid of ’em when they return home. Pratt will star in the upcoming "Guardians of the Galaxy" due in August. …
When Aidan James, the 12-year-old ukulele sensation, takes the Ala Moana Centerstage spotlight at 3 p.m. April 20, he’ll be supported by two youthful backup musicians whose fathers are community notables. Drummer Logyn Okuda, 10, is the son of cosmetic dentist Wynn Okuda, and 14-year-old bassist Chord Medeiros is the son of Glenn Medeiros, who hit the music charts in 1987 with "Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You" and now is vice principal at Maryknoll School. …
HERE, THERE, EVERYWHERE: Mary Gutzi, the Broadway performer, is back in town after a run in "The Light in the Piazza" at the South Coast Repertory in California. But she packs her bags again for three musicals over six months in St. George, Utah, for "The Wizard of Oz," "The Little Mermaid" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" staged at Tuacahn. …
Local boy Matt Yee has been performing on a Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas cruise from Puerto Rico to New York. He’s doing shows this weekend at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on 42nd Street; his pal Chita Rivera was to attend. "While I’m there, we’re going to catch Billy Porter in ‘Kinky Boots’ and Idina Menzel in ‘If/Then.’" He’s posted a vocal duet with Menzel on his website at www.mattyee.com. Next stop: Honolulu, for dim sum and laulau.
Jack and Cha Thompson are in the Big Apple for a diplomatic visit; you remember, Jack now is the honorary consul of Samoa, so he’s learning the ropes of protocol and making a first-time visit to the Samoan embassy in New York City and the United Nations. But not all is work and business: The Thompsons have tickets to "Kinky Boots" and "Pippin," so fun’s on the agenda, too. …
An Auntie Pasto’s restaurant is coming later this year to Aina Haina Shopping Center, offering — what else? — pasta and more. …
NIGHT MUSINGS: Tom Moffatt will be emceeing/ deejaying, just like old times, at Sunday night’s Manoa Valley Theatre "Manoa Marquee" benefit from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i’s Manoa Grand Ballroom. "Smokey Joe’s Cafe," which MVT will stage beginning July 3, is the theme of the dinner event, so expect some oldies but goodies from the Broadway musical. (Check honolulupulse.com for photos of the event). …
MVT’s "Rent," which is dark Sunday because of the fundraiser, has been extended through April 20, and you ought to revisit the show (get on a waitlist for tickets). It’s filled with familiar talent with big voices and fortified by edgy music in the late Jonathan Larson’s contemporary take on Puccini’s "La Boheme." Leiney Rigg as Maureen is a hoot! …
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.
