Productions allow Ron Bright’s legacy to thrive

The late Ron Bright, the celebrated and beloved theater director, continues to inspire youths via the nonprofit I’m a Bright Kid Foundation, organized to perpetuate his legacy.

Another summer musical theater program, targeting future actors, begins Monday and continues through Aug. 5, enabling youngsters to sign up to learn — Bright style — the fundamentals of stage, music and dance, culminating in a production of “Once on This Island Jr.” at Windward Community College’s Paliku Theatre.

Dr. Ligaya Stice, executive director the foundation, says its fall musical will be “The Wiz,” Sept. 7 through 30, with auditions slated from 6:30 to 9 p.m. June 18 and 19, at Paliku. This show will be directed by Mary Hicks, choreographed by Marcelo Pacleb and conducted by Clarke Bright; all have been team members with the Bright ohana for decades.

Bright, the beloved Castle High School drama director, died July 7, 2015, at age 81. His boosters know that “The Wiz,” a takeoff on “The Wizard of Oz,” was one of Mr. B’s pivotal shows, providing a teachable moment via “If You Believe,” the tune that has become a prevailing in-house anthem.

“Ron last directed that show in 1985,” said widow Mo Bright. “The lyrics encapsulated his approach to teaching and to life, and was always the backstage cast song that was sung prior to the curtain going up — and still is today.” Visit imabrightkid.org. …

SINGING SUMOTORI

Konishiki, formerly known as Saleva‘a Atisanoe, will be the first sumotori to rap his way into Blue Note Hawaii, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. June 20, at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort.

Konishiki became the first non-Japanese to reach ozeki status, the second-highest ranking in sumo wrestling.

He once was deemed the largest wrestler in history at 633 pounds, but has lost weight since retirement. Konishiki competed for 16 years beginning in 1982, acquired Japanese citizenship in 1994, and retired in 1997 after logging 733 wins.

Since leaving the “dohyo,” the circular sumo ring, Konishiki has been singing and rapping in concert; he also plays ukulele and plans to surprise his island fans — and perhaps visiting Japanese nationals — with his musicality.

Tickets: $15-$35, at bluenotehawaii.com, 777-4890. …

NAMES ’N’ PLACES

Also heading to Blue Note, for an 8 p.m. show Dec. 27: Don McLean, the pied piper of “American Pie,” and an inductee in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His message­-laden ditty is a rock-era classic. Tickets: $75-$115. …

Melissa Manchester returns to the Royal Hawaiian’s Monarch Room for a one-nighter at 7 p.m. June 24. She’ll be again be backed by her Blue Note Orchestra (no link to the same-name nightclub) reprising her signature hits “Don’t Cry Out Loud” and “Through the Eyes of Love,” but expect tunes from her 21st album “The Fellas,” on which she pays tribute to Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett and Nat “King” Cole. No-host cocktails from 6 p.m., Monarch Terrace. Tickets: VIP, $95 (front seats, with after-concert meet-and-greet); premium, $75 (front two rows of theater section); general, $55 (concert-style behind premium), at honoluluboxoffice.com. …

EVOLUTION

Evolve Theatre Company launches Michael Golamco’s “Cowboy Versus Samurai,” directed by John Wat, June 15 through 24, at Ong King Arts Center, at 1154 Fort Street Mall. It plays at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3:30 p.m. Sundays. A romantic comedy, “Cowboy” features Nick Jeffs as the cowboy Del, Sean-Joseph Takeo Kahaokalani Choo as the Korean-American teacher Travis, Marcus Lee as the militant Asian-­American Chester, and Kristen Misaki as the Korean-American Veronica. Information: 450-8324, facebook.com/ongkingartscenter …

And that’s “Show Biz.” …

Wayne Harada is a veteran Honolulu entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or email wayneharada@gmail.com.