Actress Michelle Rodriguez, who had a bad-girl image off-screen while portraying Ana Lucia Cortez on ABC’s filmed-in-Hawaii "Lost" series, is receiving beaucoup online and TV buzz because she’s been dating actor Zac Efron, recently seen in "Neighbors" but best known for Disney’s fame-making phenom "High School Musical" franchise from several years ago.
This seems to be an opposites-attract coupling, but the liaison has continued for several months with the duo hand-holding, kissing, sunbathing, boating and dining together.
Rodriguez, who also was in "Avatar," has completed several "Fast and Furious" outings and willreprise her Letitia "Letty" Ortiz role for the fifth time in the next installment, "Fast and Furious 7," next year. …
WHO’S NEWS: "Hawaii Five-0," the CBS procedural filming its fifth season now, will get a tinge of orange with the signing of Alysia Reiner of "Orange is the New Black," playing an FBI agent. The actress known as Natalie Figueroa on "Orange" will help Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) close an investigation. "Five-0" unveils its new season nationally Sept. 26 but will maintain its island tradition of launching the first episode at a Sunset on the Beach premiere Sept. 13. CBS is releasing the H50 season four DVD set Sept. 16 …
CALENDAR CUES: Herb Alpert (remember his Tijuana Brass?) and Lani Hall will do a benefit for Damien Memorial School at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tom Moffatt will produce, with proceeds supporting Damien’s $12 million capital campaign expansion. Pre-show dinner packages at Chef Chai’s, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Hiroshi Eurasian Tapas and Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar. For tickets, call or email Rhoda Baron at 440-9532 or rbaron@damien.edu. …
Comedian Augie T is on the prowl on all islands, touring his sixth one-man comedy show, "So Dumb 2014," with its Honolulu stop Friday at Blaisdell Concert Hall. The performance, which already visitedHilo, Kauai and Maui (with a Kona trek Aug. 29 at the Aloha Theatre), is being taped for a future DVD release. It’s been three years since Augie has produced and filmed his stand-up act. For tickets, go to augiet.com. …
"AWOL: Art Without Limits," Kristian Lei‘s Honolulu Broadway Babies’ 10th anniversary concert, will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday at Leeward Community College. Tickets: 979-6697. …
Joy Abbott,the Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner, will present another concert Sept. 4 at the Arcadia. If you know a resident there, that’s the best way to get a seat. …
Mavis Staples, a founding member of the Staples Sisters and one of the iconic voices of rock and soul, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Hawaii Theatre. Tickets: $32, $42, $62; call 528-0506. …
UPDATE: To those who asked: The "Cabaret III" cast member who stumbled off the Hawaii Theatre stage this summer is making great strides in recovery thanks to support and prayers from friends and family. The unfortunate mishap didn’t stop the show, but some concerned folks saw the spill.The performer, part of the expanded "Follies" show presented at the Arcadia, fell 12 feet, resulting in an ER visit, hospitalization and subsequent physical therapy.
The frightening reality is that potential danger lurks when the pit of the Hawaii stage is open; some years ago, singer Henry Kapono took an unexpected tumble about 10 feet, resulting in an ankle injury. …
Meanwhile, Kapono is fronting "Back in the Day," with a cache of friends joining him at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Waikiki Shell. The performers include Kalapana, Jerry Santos, Brother Noland, Keola Beamer, Robert Cazimero, Willie K, John Cruz, Amy Hanaiali‘i, Robi Kahakalau, Sean Na‘auao, Ledward Kaapana, Mike Kaawa and Raiatea Helm. Tickets: $125 for pool VIP seats, $45 for terrace, $25 for general admission lawn. It’s a benefit for Make-a-Wish Hawaii. …
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.
