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Kevin McCollum, the former Honolulu resident whose Tony Award-winning Broadway credits include “Rent,” “Avenue Q,” “In the Heights” and “Something Rotten,” will produce the stage musical “Mrs. Doubtfire” based on the 1993 film that starred the late Robin Williams.
Four-time Tony-winning director Jerry Zaks, fresh off the reboot of “Hello, Dolly!” this past season with Bette Midler in a star-turning performance, will direct from a script by the Tony-nominated “Something Rotten” writing team of John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick (book) and Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick (music and lyrics). Production dates have yet to be announced.
McCollum and his producing partner Bob Cohen of Fox Stage Productions said in a prepared joint statement, “ ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ is such a beloved story, both laugh-out-loud hilarious and extremely moving. Getting this team together and crafting ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ for the stage has been pure joy. We can’t wait to get into production.”
Like the film, defined by Williams’ perfect performance, the musical will cast a struggling actor who disguises himself as a matronly British nanny, to work in his ex-wife’s home after he loses custody of his children in a bitter divorce. It is anticipated to become an audience favorite on the Great White Way. …
And here’s another McCollum morsel worth mentioning: He and collaborating partner Cohen have committed to bring a musical version of the fashion-industry comedy, “The Devil Wears Prada,” to the Broadway stage. No timetable, no specifics yet, but Elton John will provide songs with lyricist Shaina Taub, and the book will be by Paul Rudnick. Surely, you remember the 2006 film with Emily Blunt as the assistant to a powerful fashion mag editor played by Meryl Streep. …
A SHIRTLESS MARS
On a recent break from his “24K Magic World Tour,” Bruno Mars had a downtime vacation with his girlfriend, the model and actress Jessica Caban, in Punta Mita, Mexico. Instagram photos quickly emerged, showing the superstar in a pair of floral-print trunks. A somewhat chunky belly belied the agile and smooth moves he’s known for when fully clothed and in supreme choreographed animation with his Hooligans. Nothing to be ashamed of, of course — he was on vacation — but somewhat uncharacteristic for a dude known for his svelte “Uptown Funk” friskiness. Caban, on the other hand, was the picture of a toned, sculpted model. …
ALL IS BRIGHT
“The Wiz,” which opened Friday at Paliku Theatre, is overwhelmingly a family affair, on stage and off. It’s a reflection of the impact of the late Ron Bright’s influence and impact in the Windward community.
Clarke Bright, maestro of the orchestra, and his wife, Lynell Bright, are in the 15-piece orchestra, as are son Christopher and brother Michael Bright. Mike’s wife, Jade Bright, is a pit singer, and sister Jodi Bright Stein is one of choreographer Marcelo Pacleb’s dancers. Jade Bright also is the sister of Zare Anguay, appearing as the Scarecrow.
Director Mary Hicks’ son Michael also is a dancer and I’m a Bright Kid Foundation CEO Ligaya Stice is a pit singer, with her sisters Jade Stice, cast as Glinda the good witch, and Paraluman Stice Durkin, along with her son Aidan, are in the dance ensemble.
There’s a lot more: Alison Maldonado, playing Adderperle, shares the stage with daughter Emily, a dancer. And married couple Pasi Suaava and Yvette Suaava portray the uncle and aunt of Dorothy. Dr. Meri Morisada Guillou, a pediatrician, is a dancer; ditto, her son Joshua. Tech director Andrew Doan’s wife, Callie, is a pit singer; costumer Anna Foster’s daughters Rowan and Rhiannon are dancer and pit singer, respectively. More related dancers: Lisa Miyamoto and niece Madison Kusumoto. Dancer Annie Yoshida, who also is prop mistress, has her pet pooch, Mochi, on stage, as Toto.
“Ron must be pleased,” said his widow, Mo Bright, who monitors the roster of cast relationships. “He loved having families involved in his productions.” …
SHORTS OF SORTS
>> “Vincent,” Leonard Nimoy’s one-man show featuring Don Pomes as artist Vincent Van Gogh, is the first of Windward Readers Theatre’s new season, playing for the last time at 2 p.m. today at Pohai Nani Auditorium. Vanita Rae Smith directs. Tickets are free, call 225-6927. Next up: “On Golden Pond,” with Jo Pruden, Katie Doyle, Peter Clark and Chris Higgins, Nov. 13, 15 and 18 …
>> Mike Love, a former Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning reggae artist, has been a regular headliner at Hawaiian Brian’s, doing solo gigs on Mondays and headlining with his six-piece band The Full Circle on Wednesdays. This fall, he’ll ramp up mileage as he heads to Quebec in October, Australia in November and South America in January and February. …
And that’s “Show Biz.”
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
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