REVIEW

Sheraton photo
Tihati performers add illusions to "Creation
-- A Polynesian Odyssey," at the Sheraton
Princess Kaiulani Hotel.

---

A Polynesian show
for post-MTV era

By John Berger
Special to the Star-Bulletin

ADD high-tech glitz to the traditional dances of Polynesia and the result is "Creation -- A Polynesian Odyssey" at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel.

Laser-generated animated images and a digital surroundsound audio system are among the embellishments that are helping performers to reinvent the familiar Waikiki luau revue concept, updating the presentation for a post-MTV audience.

"Creation" is bright, loud, colorful, fresh and dramatic. Its creators, Jack and Cha Thompson, have dropped the traditional "And now we visit the exotic isles of ..." travelogue format. Joe Recca tells of the divine creation of man and woman, the gradual settlement of the island groups, and the wars that followed. No specific rivalries are mentioned, but the formidable presence of pre-modern Maori and Fijian warriors is quite clear.

The show includes several illusions. One woman is briefly levitated, another vanishes, and two more appear out of an impossibly small satchel. As with the pyrotechnics and lasers that add impact elsewhere, the illusions add theatrical punch without detracting from the dances that remain the heart and soul of the show.

Bits of characterization also personalize the production. Interplay between "hula maidens," a romantic malihini and some dockside characters add a lighthearted mood to a hula number.

Two traditional components of Tihati Productions' shows -- the Tahitian dancer line and the Samoan fire-knife soloist -- are still showstoppers.

The cast is a photogenic bunch of buffed Polynesian men and petite cosmopolitan women. One recent arrival in the cast is Johnny Fortuno, who stars as Elvis in an expanded commemoration of statehood. Fortuno is good at what he does, but his set should focus more on Elvis' ties to Hawaii. Adding "Drums of the Islands," "Ku'uipo," "Blue Hawaii" and "Moonlight Swim" -- from films Elvis made here -- would be a start. Elvis impersonator standards such as "Jailhouse Rock" could still be included as representative of Elvis' concerts here.

Waikiki veteran Recca is camouflaged for most of the show in a getup that makes him look like a tattooed Santa Claus in a bed sheet. Fortunately, he gets to appear as himself before the show is over and adds a fine voice and engaging personal presence to the "Creation" experience.

Creation -- A Polynesian Odyssey: At Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel Ainahau Showroom, 6 and 8:30 p.m. daily; dinner packages $55-$105; cocktail show only, $32. Call 931-4660.

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