GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
John Hirokawa headlines the "Magic of Polynesia" show.
Magic still aflame
Five years after John Hirokawa opened his "Magic of Polynesia" show at the Waikiki Beachcomber, the show still reigns as a world-class attraction. Hirokawa is superb illusionist and entertainer. The show is outstanding in all respects.
One noticeable change is that Hirokawa's show-closing "death bed" illusion has been replaced with a bigger "death trap" that is equally dramatic. Most of the old stand-by illusions still in the show have retained their charm and their ability to awe. We know that there's trickery involved but the illusions are as impressive as any that have been brought to town by visiting magicians in recent years.
'Magic of Polynesia'
Starring John HirokawaWhere: Magic of Polynesia Showroom, Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel
When: 8:20 p.m. nightly; dinner seating at 7 p.m. Hirokawa performs Tuesdays to Saturdays.
Admission: Several packages are available
Call: 971-4321
A woman is levitated and suddenly vanishes. A dancer wearing a Hawaiian-style helmet and cape disappears as well. Hirokawa disappears a couple of times too. It's all fun and all very well done.
The times when Hirokawa slows the pace for audience participation also work. Some of the bits will be familiar, but they got laughs in all the right places when we saw him recently.
The big find at the moment is his new co-star, Vili Fehoko, who stars in an audience participation segment involving Polynesian and taiko-style drumming. Fehoko provides a great comic counter-point to Hirokawa's skills as a comedian.
There is, of course, more than enough Polynesian-style dancing to make the show a suitable substitute for those interested in a traditional tourist-oriented Polynesian revue. Some of the numbers are staged and costumed in ways that are closer to Hollywood and Vegas than original roots cultures, but a hula kahiko segment adds a welcome touch of true old-time Hawaii to the show, and a fire-knife segment is, pardon the pun, a surefire showstopper.
Hirokawa caps the show with a multi-part finale that reaffirms his abilities. If it's been five years -- or even one -- since you last saw Hirokawa's show, it's well worth a visit.
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