Four Hawaii actors — plus one backstager with creative input — will be featured in the latest revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s "The King and I," which will begin preview performances March 3 en route to its April 16 premiere at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater in New York.
Two locals have secondary leads: Ruthie Ann Miles will portray Lady Thiang, the king’s chief wife, and Paul Nakauchi will be the Kralahome, the prime minister.Miles last played Imelda Marcos in the acclaimed "Here Lies Love" at the Public Theatre, where I saw her two seasons ago; Nakauchi’s is a nonsinging, nondancing role, though he will understudy the part of the king.
The tuneful, evergreen tale explores the relationship between the British governess Anna Leonowens (played by five-time Tony nominee Kelli O’Hara, last seen in "South Pacific" and "The Bridges of Madison County"), who relocates with her son to serve under the king of Siam (portrayed by film actor Ken Watanabe ("The Last Samurai").
Cole Horibe (last seen as Bruce Lee in off-Broadway’s "Kung Fu") and Autumn Ogawa ("Annie," "Flower Drum Song" locally) are in the dance ensemble.
"Hawaii is well represented in one show," says Greg Zane, a sometime actor-director who is serving as associate choreographer re-creating the original Jerome Robbins choreography. Zane is a ballet-trained actor who earned his theater chops playing Paul San Marco in "A Chorus Line" here.
It’s somewhat unusual for several islanders to be in one musical, but this one required a number of Asian performers, as Hawaii talent continues to sprout roots in the Big Apple. The Lincoln Center revival is being directed by Tony-winning Bartlett Sher ("South Pacific," "Light in the Piazza," "The Bridges of Madison County," all starring O’Hara).
The cast surely must have been delighted when the musical’s first full-page announcement appeared in a New York Times ad, which listed all performers’ names! …
OSCAR PICKS: Sunday’s Academy Award are somewhat predictable in key categories, but best picture isn’t — so the Oscarcast on ABC should include a surprise or two.
My selections:
» Picture: "Boyhood," director Richard Linklater‘s unusual and ambitious 12-year shoot with documentarylike results, charting the changing lives of a boy and his parents. "Birdman" with its let-the-cameras-roll shooting technique could prevail.
» Director: Alejandro G. Inarritu for "Birdman." He won the Directors Guild trophy, but "Boyhood" as picture winner will split the laurels.
» Actor: Eddie Redmayne for "The Theory of Everything." He got into the skin, and wheelchair, of physicist Stephen Hawking — with awesome impact, earning a Screen Actors Guild trophy. OK, Michael Keaton ("Birdman") could take flight.
» Supporting actor: J.K. Simmons for "Whiplash." His tyrannical teaching style was extreme but effective, drumming up support.
» Actress: Julianne Moore for "Still Alice." Playing a woman with Alzheimer’s, she was illuminating and moving, a beacon of hope and heart, in a difficult life crisis.
» Supporting actress: Patricia Arquette for "Boyhood." She plays the mom with marital woes trying to shape a good life for herself and her beloved son, and this win will complete her sweep in all other competitions.
» Song: "Glory," by Common and John Legend, from "Selma."The best tune from a neglected film, in a category that has lost much of its former glory. …
NAMES ‘N’ PLACES: That Mark Ronson-Bruno Mars biggie, "Uptown Funk," is the lead track on "Now That’s What I Call Music 53," the frequent compilation CD of pop hits. "Funk" — No. 1 on Billboard for nearly two months — also is one of the most covered in YouTube postings. …
TV host Emme Tomimbang will emcee the Civil Rights and Diversity reception Wednesday at Washington Place. Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights co-chairs Faye Kennedy and Amy Agbayani are organizing the event, with community civil rights leaders and politicos in attendance. …
And that’s "Show Biz." …
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Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his “Show and Tell Hawaii” blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
