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Wood Craft
THERE are many good things about Diamond Head Theatre's "Phantom" and the best, without a doubt, is golden-voiced Melissa Short as Christine. Melissa, who hits the high notes with Short shines
in ‘Phantom’clarity and power, is ready for much bigger things right now. Besides her voice, the former Miss Hawaii has the looks, acting ability and style to make it anywhere. Larry Paxton puts everything he has into his role as the Phantom. Another favorite of mine is Mary Chesnut as the haughty, but lousy, opera star who is blown away by Christine's singing. Mary is funny. Mike Galizia, as the Phantom's father, shines. John Rampage's direction and choreography keep the show running smoothly. Paul Guncheon's sets and Donald Yap's orchestra deserve praise ... The production, sponsored by Coldwell Banker, has been extended through June 11. ...
Neighbor isles are happenin'
Randy Schoch signed a lease last week to to open a Ruth's Chris Steak house in Wailea. The Maui spot will be his third Ruth's Chris in the isles ... Scottish actor James Cosmo, appearing in "To End All Wars" on Kauai, married longtime girlfriend Annie Harris on the Garden Isle Wednesday. Cosmo was Mel Gibson's sidekick in "Braveheart" ...Jimmy Borges and Honolulu Symphony board chairman Bob Levy did a short comedy routine on stage at last Saturday night's Keali'i Reichel concert at the concert hall. Jimmy followed Bob on stage and both were wearing the exact same sport coat; same color, same size. Jimmy later said the coats came from Jacques C. Penné. The next Honolulu Pops concert is Legends of Hawaii June 2 at the Waikiki Shell ...
Coast Guard Petty Officer Cheryl Armijo is being reassigned to San Diego after eight years here. That means her husband, Martin, one of the original and most popular bartenders at Neiman Marcus' Mariposa restaurant will be leaving with her and their two children, Victoria, 6; and Vincente, 4. Martin's last day at Mariposa is June 2. Shirokiya's Pat Ho calls Martin "the Quiet One." The other two original Mariposa bartenders, Karl Kimoto and John Woo, are a bit more flamboyant.
Celebrating IZ
May 20 was the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's birthday and a huge concert will honor IZ at the Waikiki Shell today, 4 p.m. On July 1, the IZ Memorial Cruise, a truck and car circle-island drive, will take place. It starts at 8 a.m. at Kapolei Theater and will circle the isle, winding up at Makua Beach for a ceremony. On Sept. 3, the annual IZ long-distance canoe races are scheduled, with starting and finishing points at Pokai Bay and Haleiwa. Contact the Mountain Apple Co., 597-1888, for more IZ info ...Disco queen Donna Summer "Works Hard for the Money" and did so at the Convention Center last weekend. But she was no "Bad Girl" while here, relaxing at the Halekulani. Also cooling it at the Halekulani was Japan's "Material Girl" Namie Amuro, who made her U.S. concert debut at the Shell last Sunday ...
Isle-born Anne Holt, a former Hawaii Visitor's Bureau executive based in New York and San Francisco, was struck and killed by a delivery truck Thursday near her home in San Francisco's financial district. She was on her way to meet a friend for lunch. Anne was a dear friend to many islanders and to many visitor industry officials, not only here but on the mainland as well. She always had aloha for visiting friends. Condolences to her family.
Ben Wood, who sold the Star-Bulletin in the streets
of downtown Honolulu during World War II, writes of
people, places and things every Saturday.
E-mail him at bwood@starbulletin.com