EVER since I had the good fortune to be in the audience at the 10th anniversary production of "Les Miserables" at the Royal Albert Hall in London in October, I've been a huge fan of the musical. I'd seen the earlier full-scale production of "Les Miz" at the Blaisdell Concert Hall with Craig Schulman, and while it was very impressive, it was the aura of the once-in-a-lifetime concert version in Albert Hall with producer Cameron Mackintosh's pick of the litter, so to speak, that made me a true convert. And now, topping it off, as it were, Mackintosh is bringing the show back to Honolulu and holding its grand opening night on my birthday, no less. Schulman is returning and Lea Salonga, who sang Eponine in the London concert version, will perform the role on stage here. The concert in London featured a parade of men who'd played Jean Valjean in 17 countries, and Schulman was selected to represent the United States for the rousing finale. The Honolulu return promises to be a memorable one ... SOME other major talents seem to have rediscovered Hawaii as a playground. Rich Little just closed an engagement at the Waikiki Beachcomber; the Four Freshmen were among those who performed at the opening of the four-day International Jazz Festival last night at the Sheraton Waikiki; George Winston is appearing tomorrow night at the Concert Hall; and Loretta Swit will appear in the one-woman show "Shirley Valentine" on Aug. 3 at the Hawaii Theatre ...
Vinny Marino
HABILITAT'S Vinny Marino was on the horn from L.A. with news that he's appeared on 22 talk shows so far on a tour promoting his book, "Journey from Hell." The pull-no-punches biography he condensed from two other longer, more rambling works is about his life's trip from street junkie to Habilitat honcho, helping people with drug and other dependencies. Vinny's the kind of guy who, when the legislature starting jerking him around - in his eyes at any rate - told 'em to stuff it, and set about raising funds privately to continue Habilitat's work ...
GOT any old feather boas, big hats, ball gowns, tiares or whatever lying around that you no longer need? If so, Judi Wilson of Kapiolani Health Foundation can use them for the upcoming "Crystal Ball." They're putting together fantasy dress-up trunks to auction at the Nov. 2 event, just the thing for people with kids who'd like to dress up like mommy. (Or perhaps for someone heading to Hula's on Halloween?) Anyway, the event is a benefit for the program aimed at infants and kids needing open-heart surgery or requiring cardiac and respiratory support. Call 973-3109 if you can help ...
