While renowned voice coach Neva Rego is not yet out of the woods, she is out of intensive care at Straub Hospital and has been welcoming a parade of visitors since being hospitalized more than a month ago.
She’s off the respirator but still cannot speak, so she vigorously tries to mouth her words to communicate.
Rego’s teaching partner, Betty Grierson, said her condition continues to improve.
Rego had scheduled a simple hiatal hernia operation (the hiatus is an opening in the diaphragm that the esophagus passes through to reach the stomach) and had expected to be in and out in a couple of days. But complications occurred, prompting fans, friends and students to post get-well notices and prayers of support on Facebook. The aloha helped Rego get through those tense early moments.
"She keeps saying, ‘I wanna go home,’" Grierson said. "You know how she loves to talk."
Well-wishers phoned from Italy, Canada and New York, and visitors included Tony nominee Willy Falk ("Miss Saigon"), one of Rego’s A-list voice students from Hawaii.
"There are positive signs for recovery," Grierson said. "But it’s a slow process." …
FINALLY HOME: Entertainer Roland Cazimero and his wife returned home from Maui, where he had been hospitalized at Maui Memorial Hospital after performing 15 minutes at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center two weekends ago. Brother Robert, half of the Brothers Cazimero,had to swiftly swing into solo gear but had valuable kokua from his hula gents and wahine.
"They came through for me with flying colors," said Robert, whose the-show-must-go-on thoughts were clouded by worries that patrons would leave with half the act gone (they didn’t).
"I was shaking," Robert admitted, as emotions heightened about his ailing brother, who had walking pneumonia. "We are so happy for his speedy recovery and thank everyone for their concern, their love and their prayers." …
HEARING VOICES: The Lylas, the group featuring Bruno Mars’ sisters Presley, Tiara, Tahiti and Jaime, have released a music video of their new single, "Voices in My Head," now available for downloading on iTunes.
The 2010 song clearly sounds like Mars material, with catchy and familiar riffs that characterize his rockaballads. This one could finally give The Lylas chart attention but the video is saucy with sexual innuendo, not the usual Mars standard.
There had been some behind-the-scenes drama among the sisters about who would sing lead (they decided to alternate) and they’re wondering if bro Bruno would endorse their version when he hears it, as discussed on the Lylas’ WE TV reality show. …
PERSONALITIES: It’s an "Emme’s Island Moment" only heard, not seen. You know those new TV spots on the Queen’s Medical Center’s new West Oahu location opening this week? Emme Tomimbang is the unidentified narrator who was honored "to represent the place that saved my life." …
Arcadia’s "Mardi Gras Follies," directed by Jack Cione ,has opened a three-weekend run at the retirement residence. But an expanded one-nighter with Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association participation is set for June 7 at the Hawaii Theatre. …
Kahulanui, the Grammy-nominated group composed of four core musicians, will perform from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 7 at the Banyan Courtyard of the Westin Moana Surfrider Hotel. Members are Patrick Eskildsen, Duke Tatom,Tim Taylor and Lena Naipo,but the extended band includes five others. …
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.
