Andy Bumatai will launch a “Comic to Comic” series when he returns to Blue Note Hawaii this Wednesday. He’ll chat with fellow comic Frank De Lima; it’s a new wrinkle in his continuing stand-up gig.
“The Blue Note is interested in me doing something monthly when I’m in town, so I came up with this (format),” said Bumatai.
To secure De Lima, he had to do some coaxing.
“Yes, he is very reluctant because he’s afraid the place will fill up with tourists and they won’t get it,” said Bumatai. “I assured him that every time I’ve played there, it’s been at least 90 percent local.”
He’s adapting his stand-up with a modified talk show routine, including a sit-down element.
“I will have a desk and chair onstage; I will start the show with a 20-minute set and then intro Frank, who will do about 40 minutes of his act, and then I will sit behind the desk and Frank will sit in the chair, and I will interview him for about a half-hour,” he said.
“I’m going to try and take questions from the audience, too; my plan is to do a combo of Jimmy Kimmel and Phil Donahue. We’ll see what actually happens.”
For a preview, tune in to Bumatai’s “Toolin’ Around,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, on K5 (Spectrum, Channel 22; Hawaiian Tel, Channel 13), when he hosts De Lima in a revealing seven-minute video chitchat. Future prospects? Augie T, Paul Ogata and Tumua Tuinei.
Bumatai embarks on a mainland tour May 31 that will include stops in San Francisco; San Diego; Concord, Calif.; Ashland, Ore.; Las Vegas and San Antonio, with De Lima joining the Texas gig. Bumatai also will be honored by the Hawai‘i Chamber of Commerce of Northern California on May 31 and plans a fundraiser for the organization at a yet-to-be-named comedy club. …
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICALS
The Saint Louis Center for the Arts will present the Tony-winning musical, “Chicago,” beginning Friday at Mamiya Theatre on campus. Two rising stars, Kira Stone and Lyric Medeiros, take on the key singing-dancing roles of Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, respectively. Cormac Hurley portrays lawyer Billy Flynn, with Kyle Kakuno directing, Mahiai Kekumu choreographing, and Judy Yoshioka conducting the orchestra.
With music by John Kander and Fred Ebb, the show with mature themes — fame, sexuality, murder and media hysteria — is a classic because of the choreographic wizardry of Bob Fosse.
Performances are at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, through March 17; a preshow benefit gala ($100) from 5:30 p.m. Saturday features cocktails. Other tickets: $25 adults, $20 students, seniors and military, at 739-4896 or info@mamiyatheatre.com; for gala, email rgonsalves@saintlouishawaii.org or call 739-4727. …
“Once on This Island,” the beloved Tony-winning musical, is the Farrington Performing Arts Center’s next production, premiering at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Joseph Rider Farrington Community Auditorium on campus. Students and alumni will tackle the tale of love amid a bevy of gods, dealing with a peasant girl Ti Moune, who rescues a wealthy boy Daniel during a storm on an island. The show requires an engaging singing-dancing ensemble.
Miguel Cadoy III, FPAC director, is musical conductor, and he’s tapped the artistry of his theatrical peers: Kimee Balmilero (“Hawaii Five-0,” “Magnum P.I.”) as director, Zare Anguay (Princess Cruises) as choreographer. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, through March 10.
Tickets: $10 adults 18 and older, $5 students 17 and younger, at showtix4u.com.
AND THE WINNERS ARE …
Here’s how we call it, in seven key categories, at today’s Oscarcast on ABC:
>> Best picture: “Roma”
>> Best director: Alfonso Cuaron, “Roma”
>> Best actor: Christian Bale, “Vice”
>> Best supporting actor: Mahershala Ali, “Green Book”
>> Best actress: Glenn Close, “The Wife”
>> Best supporting actress: Regina King, “If Beale Street Could Talk”
>> Best song: “Shallow,” from “A Star Is Born” …
Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) could upset Bale, for actor; if “A Star Is Born” bests “Roma” for picture, I’d be happy — it represents Hollywood tradition at its best. …
And that’s “Show Biz.”
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
