It’s a sure bet that Bette Midler — now starring in “Hello, Dolly!” — will win best leading actress in a musical June 11 at the Tony Awards in New York. Midler, our homegrown superstar, already picked up an Outer Critics Circle Award as outstanding actress in a musical, announced Monday but to be formally presented May 25 at Sardi’s.
Her chief Tony competitor might have been Glenn Close, but she’s ineligible for “Sunset Boulevard” because she previously won in the 1995 original.
“Dolly!” snagged four other Critics Circle nods, including outstanding musical revival, and is considered a front-runner for the Tonys, nominated in 10 categories. Midler and the musical are also contenders in the June 4 Drama Desk Awards.
At the Shubert Theatre, “Dolly!” is attracting packed houses fueled by rave reviews and posted a $2.1 million gross in seven performances earlier this month. Last week the $1.96 million tally matched grosses of long-running “The Lion King” and was second only to the mega-moola $3.14 million take of “Hamilton,” thanks to astronomical premium ticket prices.
But, bummers! I’m planning to be in New York this summer and had banked on catching Midler in “Dolly!” But challenging tradition, she’s taking two weeks off in late June and early July (must be a contractual deal, but this is the Divine Miss M, after all). Donna Murphy, who will take over Tuesday performances starting June 13, will take center stage while Midler’s away. Plan accordingly if headed to NYC. …
EVERYTHING’S COMING UP ROSIE
“Hula Rosie’s Tropical Revue,” at 5 p.m. May 21 at the Doris Duke Theatre, features Hula Rosie, aka Dana Land, backed by the Cabana Boys (Sterling Beair and Gabriel Giasolli) and a lively combo. Think Carmen Miranda-meets-Bette Midler-meets-Hilo Hattie-meets-Ella Fitzgerald. Tickets: $25 and $20, at 523-6097 or hularosie.com. …
JAPAN JAUNT
Streetlight Cadence, the Hawaii favorite, has taken its show on the road to the Far East. The group — Jonathon Franklin, Brian Webb, Jesse Shiroma and Chaz Umamoto — has four stops: today, Okinawa; Tuesday, Tokyo; Thursday, Kyoto; and Friday, Osaka.
“If you or a friend live in the area, we would love to see you,” the group said in its Facebook newsletter post. …
ON STAGE
Diamond Head Theatre’s “All Shook Up” jukebox musical, featuring a hunk of Elvis Presley’s love and rock songs, opens Friday and runs through June 11. Kaimana Ramos (Chad), Sarah Halford (Natalie) and Kyle McNamara (Dennis) make up the love triangle. An add-on show is set for 3 p.m. June 10. …
Manoa Valley Theatre launches “Wait Until Dark” on Thursday, playing through June 4. Key actors are Christopher Denton (Mike Talman), Stu Hirayama (Sgt. Carlino), Gregory Suenaga (Harry Roat) and Lauren Murata (Susy Hendrix). Expect thrills. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran Honolulu entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or email wayneharada@gmail.com.
