Ruthie Ann Miles, the Tony Award-winning Broadway actress with Hawaii roots, will co-star in “All Rise,” a CBS legal drama this fall.
Miles will portray Sherri Kanski, one of the legal eagles including judges, prosecutors, public defenders, bailiffs and clerks, in the Los Angeles-based court drama.
Besides Miles, the principals include J. Alex Brinson, Jessica Camacho, Lindsay Mendez, Marg Helgenberger, Simone Missick and Wilson Bethel.
The show will premiere Sept. 23, in the 8 p.m. slot on Mondays.
Miles is widely known for her Tony-winning role as Lady Thiang in Lincoln Center’s revival Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “The King and I,” delivering her signature tune, “Something Wonderful.”
She earlier played Christmas Eve in “Avenue Q,” Imelda Marcos in “Here Lies Love,” her breakout off-Broadway musical, and had a recurring TV role in “The Americans.”
Married to Jonathan Blumenstein, Miles was injured and their 4-year-old daughter Abigail Blumenstein was killed when they and other pedestrians were crossing a Brooklyn, N.Y., street on March 5, 2018. Miles was seven months pregnant at the time and lost the baby two months later.
After her recovery, Miles returned to the stage, utilizing a cane to reprise her role as Lady Thiang in London. The driver charged in the accident died of an apparent suicide in November 2018. …
Showtime for Sheeran
Prolific singer-composer Ed Sheeran surely is showing breakout work on a couple of fronts.
On the big screen, he plays himself (smartly, coolly, generously) in the surprise box office hit “Yesterday,” appearing in a cameo with Himesh Patel. It’s a charming fantasy where only Patel’s character knows and sings the hits of The Beatles and thus becomes a sensation, following a peculiar blackout. The film and the melodies put a smile on your face and joy in your heart.
Musically, Sheeran is poised to release his new album, “No. 6 Collaborations Project,” which drops July 12 with 15 peers guest-singing. The invitees include Honolulu’s Bruno Mars and Chris Stapleton on “Blow,” the album’s closing track, and the partnering spectrum includes Cardi B, Camila Cabello, Eminem, Travis Scott, Khalid, Stormzy and Skrillex. Sheeran’s earlier-released “I Don’t Care” single with Justin Bieber, No. 1 on the UK charts for five weeks, also will be on the CD. …
Which brings up a question: Shouldn’t Sheeran perform in Hawaii? Lots of devotees here. …
Color ’em Blue
A swarm of island performers (which started last week, with Brother Noland and Mike Lewis) will share their versions of kanikapila at Blue Note Hawaii this month at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort.
The schedule: Ginai (doing tunes of Sade) this evening, Shing02 & the Chee Hoos Monday, Willie K Tuesday, Robert Cazimero July 18, Melveen Leed July 20, Rodney Villanueva and Ka‘eo also July 20 (see below), Hapa (July 21), Peter Apo Band (with Flower Power tunes) July 22, and Azure McCall and Tennyson Stephens July 28. Showtimes are 6:30 and 9 p.m., with Leed doing only the 6:30 p.m. show and Villanueva and Ka‘eo the second show at 9 p.m. on July 20.
Tickets: $25-$45 (except Willie K, $30-$45, and Leed, $30-$50), at 777-4890 or ticketmaster.com. …
Itemizations
Mahealani Sims-Tulba, 19-year-old daughter of comedian Augie T, has earned the Diana Award, established 20 years ago in memory of Princess Diana, the Princess of Wales, for her humanitarian work. Sims-Tulba’s book, “It’s Okay to be Different,” recounts her childhood bullying in school, and her BRAVE organization (for Be Respective and Value Everyone) provides anti-bullying advice and a path to self-respect. …
For a chance to appear at the Kani Ka Pila Grille at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, musicians may consider entering the club’s 11th annual talent search, which is taking entries through Wednesday. Finals will unfold at the Made in Hawaii Festival on Aug. 17. For details on how to submit an entry tune or video clip, email luana. maitland@outrigger.com or visit outrigger.com/ kkpgtalentsearch.
And that’s “Show Biz.”
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
