Peter Hernandez’s autobiography, “From Brooklyn to Mars,” is 98 percent complete, he said, but it’s apparently going to be released as a documentary instead of on the printed page.
“Bruno called,” said Hernandez, father of music superstar Bruno Mars, “and he said, ‘Let’s go for a movie. I have the best of the best’” to help.
Hernandez shared their cinematic plans from inside his modest Kaimuki duplex, surrounded by paraphernalia and images of Mars and Elvis Presley. His memoir tracks his Brooklyn roots to Hawaii, where he founded the Love Notes doo-wop group and established an Elvis Presley museum. Simultaneously, his young son was evolving as “the youngest Elvis impersonator.”
Hence, the title.
Papa Mars, as son Bruno calls his dad, always envisioned telling his story as a traditional book.
“It was all about leaving something for the family,” he said. But a film piqued Bruno’s interest, in part because the pop star was winding up production on his first-ever prime-time concert documentary, “Bruno Mars Live at the Apollo,” taped in Harlem and airing Nov. 29 on CBS.
Mars is credited as an executive producer, so the wunderkind star — who turned 32 today — is positioned to pitch and support any venture dealing with his craft. Hernandez said Bruno made a “let’s get it done” vow to his father.
The doc would deal principally with Hernandez’s life but include the rise of Bruno Mars.
“The book ends (and the film would, too) with Bruno hugging (me) before leaving for California,” where the singer-composer-musician set off to find his niche in the music/recording biz, first as a composer and studio whiz, eventually evolving as a bona fide songwriter and cameo performer in the music videos of other emerging acts — well before his formal launch of the Bruno Mars brand.
Papa Mars recalled elements of Bruno’s early years: watching videos of Elvis performing in his rhinestone-studded jumpsuit, gyrating like the Lil’ Elvis he created in the Love Notes’ shows, hanging out and playing at dad’s “Elvis Elvis Elvis, the All-Elvis Shop” at the original International Market Place.
Bruno’s late mother Bernadette put her talents as a seamstress to work, creating minicostumes for her son, replicating Elvis’ duds right down to those signature belt buckles.
Hernandez also shared a devastating loss: All of Bruno’s Elvis garb and scores of other pieces of memorabilia were stolen from a storage facility several years ago. But video of Bruno as Elvis still exists.
Since Mars still is on a concert tour schedule, there’s no start date for the production of “Brooklyn to Mars,” according to Hernandez. …
HEAR THE PEOPLE SING
Noah Faumuina, 17, a Hakipu‘u Learning Center senior, will be Jean Valjean and Jeremiah Ulufanua, 13, a Kapolei High School freshman, will be Inspector Javert when the Castle Performing Arts Company stages an abridged version of “Les Miserables,” Nov. 3 to 12 at the Ronald Bright Theatre at Castle High School.
Castle students in the production include Mia Shelbourne, 17, as Fantine, Ewan DiBartolomeo, 17, as Marius, Saoirse Rhyn, 15, as Cosette, John Palermo, 16, as Thenardier and Isaac Scott, 15, as Enjolras; from Kapolei, Angel Ordonez, 15, as Eponine; and from Mililani High, Christine Kluvo, 16, as Madame Thenardier.
Karen Meyer will direct the cast of 50 from 21 Oahu schools. Daren Kimura will conduct a large, professional orchestra while an array of sets and costumes will maintain the integrity and spirit of the Broadway hit musical.
Curtain: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $15 adults; $10 seniors, students and military, at 233-5626 or showtix4u.com. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
