Island actor Sean Jones, in his second season with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Ore., performed in “Twelfth Night” last week, which gave his musician dad, Stephen Jones, and his mom, Lee Ann, reason to visit and catch a performance despite Dad’s ongoing cancer battle. “It was a refreshing interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic set in Hollywood in the 1930s,” said Stephen. The Actors Equity project featured the Bard’s original lyrics remixed with melodies in the style of Jerome Kern or Harold Arlen. “One of the great highlights was the closing number in which the entire cast joined in a very well-choreographed tap number in which Sean was the dance captain.”
Next up for Sean: “Timon of Athens,” opening July 28, with Hollywood actor Anthony Heald (“The Silence of the Lambs”) in the lead. “We plan to come back for that also,” said the proud papa, health willing. It’s been a booster shot for the family to be together, however briefly. As Stephen explained via email: “I’m still battling hard but am keeping my spirits high and am hoping for the best.” …
TRADEWINDS: Sol3 Mio, the Samoan trio from New Zealand whose Valentine’s weekend concert was a near-sellout at Blaisdell Concert Hall, attracted a loyal and supportive Polynesian audience (thanks to Tihati Productions’ co-sponsorship) in addition to the usual Hawaii Opera Theatre (primary presenters) patrons. The trio — tenor brothers Pene and Amitai Pati and baritone cousin Moses Mackay — thrilled the audience with its mix of operatic and show tunes. But true Polynesians, the trio went spear fishing with Tihati President Afatia Thompson off Waikiki … and, yep, scored a bunch of fish. …
Greg Zane, assistant choreographer of the current Broadway musical hit, “The King and I,” had a lovely two-week homecoming visit last month, catching up with colleagues at Diamond Head Theatre (where he previously acted, directed and choreographed) and convening with “Hawaii Five-0” co-star Daniel Dae Kim, who joins the Lincoln Center show playing the King of Siam this spring — his Broadway debut. …
Lloyd Kawakami and his ManoaDNA group were invited by NHK to perform at the Music for Tomorrow benefit concert today in Fukushima, Japan. They’re joining Senri Ota and Junko Yagami, two Japanese artists, plus global faves Bob James and Sergio Mendes. NHK intends to televise the event worldwide to further raise awareness and funds for residents of Tohoku still struggling to get their lives in order following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. …
REFLECTIONS: There’s been a flurry of potential leads and cheers of encouragement after last week’s mention here that Pete Hernandez, father of superstar Bruno Mars, is trying to secure a room to showcase a Waikiki family revue about Bruno, his dad and Love Notes founder, and his sisters, who make up the Lylas group. Names and notes have been forwarded to Hernandez; there seems to be valid interest in the endeavor. Stay tuned. …
Bummers — we didn’t fare well in predicting last week’s Oscars. Clearly, Mark Rylance winning the supporting actor trophy over favored Sylvester Stallone was a major upset; ditto “Spotlight” stealing the gold from the “The Revenant” for best picture. And while Sam Smith’s “Writing’s on the Wall” vocal from the James Bond “Spectre” flick had commercial appeal, Lady Gaga’s performance of her and collaborator Diane Warren’s “Til It Happens to You” deserved best song laurels. The spread-out victors were part of an overall diversity message: Academy Award winners dotted the map, with “Mad Max’s” six wins providing the ultimate wallop, although all for technical achievement. …
DATEBOOK: Neil Sedaka returns to Hawaii at 8 p.m. April 2, with Hawaii’s Yvonne Elliman in tow, at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets are $29 to $59 at the Blaisdell box office and Ticketmaster outlets, including Walmart, or online at www.ticketmaster.com and via phone at 800-745-3000. …
Chaka Khan has Blue Note Hawaii dates at 6:30 and 9 p.m. May 4, 5, 7 and 8 at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. Tickets are $75 to $125 at bluenote- hawaii.com. …
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 staradvertiser.com.
