Posted on: Tuesday, January 1, 2008
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SHOW BIZ
The highs and lows of the year that was
By
Wayne Harada
Advertiser Columnist
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The "Lion" was king. The king of Waikiki, Don Ho, died. Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom brought Hawaiian music to the chic New York club scene.
The Dog went to the doghouse. Elvis arrived in bronze form. But the Rain never came.
Playwright Lisa Matsumoto made Page One news without pidgin English or music — sadly heading the wrong way on H-1, dying in a car crash.
And because Colt Brennan didn't bolt, he and teammates brought University of Hawai'i Warrior football to the national level, becoming a genuine celebrity.
These events represent the highs and the lows of 2007. We call it The Waynies — awards without ceremony, without voting (except moi), without pomp and circumstance.
So, drum roll, pul-leeze:
Event of the Year: Disney's "The Lion King." About 188,000 fans took in shows over an unprecedented 12-week run that grossed about $14.8 million, pumping in more than $45 million into the economy. Actors like Kevin Gray (as Scar) and Geno Severs (as Mufasa) were part of a circle of life that touched the community. Can you still feel the love ... till the next Broadway biggie?
Celeb of the Year: Colt Brennan. Not since Jasmine Trias garnered all those loyal "American Idol" votes has a single personality emerged with all the vestiges of celebrity.
Star of the Year: Don Ho. The Waikiki icon, who died April 14, created a tidal wave of interest from around the globe — proving he was a legend in life and after death, and he now leaves a huge puka in the Waikiki spectrum. His authorized bio, "Don Ho: My Life, My Music," was published Dec. 8, putting a personal spin on his local-boy-makes-good career.
Male Singer of the Year: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Last June 23 marked the 10th anniversary of his death, and he remains a vibrant and vital force on the music charts; his retooled "Wonderful World" CD, with orchestra cloak, has been a constant seller. Indeed, there's still gold at the end of his "(Over the) Rainbow."
Female Singer of the Year: Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom. She won a clutch of Hoku Awards for her "Generation: Hawai'i" CD, brought her music and charisma to the New York cafe circuit, and starred in a homegrown Christmas TV special.
Group of the Year: "The Plaids." OK, this is a mythical foursome from Manoa Valley Theatre's "Plaid Tidings," a pre-holiday hit. But the quartet — portrayed by Andrew Saka-guchi, Sean Jones, Aaron Komo and Mike Dupre — had all the moves and grooves of a '50s-'60s group in the vein of The Four Aces and The Four Freshmen. Hana hou!
Comedians of the Year: Paul Ogata, Augie T and Frank DeLima (a three-way tie). Ogata won the San Francisco International Comedy Competition, and also made a movie with porn stars (with his clothes on); Augie, a former boxer, got into the square ring at Blaisdell Arena, and championed his stand-up artistry with a TKO; DeLima, the veteran, continued to slug out parodies reflecting the community pulse — first with "Bad Day," about last year's earthquake, and more recently tweaking tunes of the Superferry debacle and the Warrior football supremacy.
Milestone DVD: Keali'i Reichel's "Kukahi" release, in high definition. It elevated concert-experience several notches, and raised the bar on preserving and perpetuating a performance.
Statue of Appreciation: For his milestone satellite-live TV telecast in 1973, Elvis Presley was honored with a bronze statue, erected July 26 by TV Land, in front of the Blaisdell Arena.
Biggest surprise: Jasmine Trias, embraced by the Las Vegas community, broadening her "American Idol" growth, but performing with Tony Ruivivar's Society of Seven (at the Flamingo Hotel) and here at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Now she has a wide-appeal act.
Biggest disappointment: That Rain concert, by a highly anticipated Korean popster, never happened at Aloha Stadium.
Biggest delight: The removal of those pair of "aisles" created at Blasidell Concert Hall for the run of "The Lion King." It was vital for the production, and a comfort for patrons, at the cost of lost revenue for prime seating.
Biggest bummer: The aforementioned aisles were again filled with seats at Blaisdell.
Biggest tragedy: That auto crash that took the life of Lisa Matsumoto; her "Once Upon One Time" legacy was immediately replaced with the DUI fallout.
Biggest casting: Loretta Ables Sayre, the star (twice) of Diamond Head Theatre's "You Somebody," was tapped to play Bloody Mary in "South Pacific," in the first-ever Broadway revival (by Lincoln Center Theatre) of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical starting April 3. You go, girl!
And that's Show Biz. ...
Wayne Harada prepared this column before going on vacation; Show Biz resumes Jan. 10. Join the conversation by posting your comments at www.honoluluadvertiser.com.
Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.
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