DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Jim Nabors gathered his friends Tuesday for a rehearsal for his annual Christmas show.
For a guy who describes himself as "pretty much retired," Jim Nabors has a full social schedule. He celebrated Halloween with his friends "Liza and David" in New York; attended the Broadway opening of "Hollywood Arms," the play written by his good friend Carol Burnette and her late daughter; sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Washington, D.C.; enjoyed Thanksgiving at his farm on Maui; and, for the last few days, has been in rehearsals for the sixth annual production of "A Merry Christmas with Friends & Nabors" at the Hawaii Theatre. Friends and Nabors
By John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.com"There's a couple of new things, but what happens is, we have to repeat the standard stuff," Nabors said last week when we asked for a preview.
"I've tried to change it over the years, and people will say, 'Why didn't you do so-and-so (again this year)?' We have to do the classics -- 'Silent Night,' 'White Christmas,' that kind of stuff -- but we're opening with a piece of special material that was written for me called 'You Meet the Nicest People Here at Christmas Time.' It was written for me years ago for one of my specials, and so I dug it out of the archives."
The show has become a seasonal tradition in the six years since Nabors presented the first one in creative partnership with the Honolulu Symphony and Hawaii Theatre. Emma Veary and Karen Keawehawai'i are returning once again as Nabors' co-stars. The trio will be joined by Jimmy Borges, Matt Catingub and the Honolulu Symphony, Chinky Mahoe's Halau Hula O Kawailiula, the Huber Marionettes with David Alexander, the Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Stars, the Hula Hui O Kupunahala O Nuuanu YMCA and the Company Singers.
Nabors, a Hawaii resident for more than 30 years, has traditionally received no fee for his participation as the show's host, headliner and co-producer. He describes it as a way of giving something back to the people of Hawaii, both as entertainment and as an opportunity for several dozen children to get experience working in a professional environment.
But Nabors says frankly that this could be the last year he'll do the show.
"I always promised myself that when my voice started going -- you know, the muscles start going -- that I'm not gonna (keep singing). I have a real good ear -- that's one thing I got, 'cause I never ever studied or anything, but I have relative pitch -- and I think I'm still singing pretty good. I think I'm doing OK, and that's always nice to know but you can tell me if it's not working anymore."
EVEN IF this year's Christmas show could be the last, Nabors has still had an amazing career. He's recorded, by his count, about 38 albums over the years. Add an estimated 300 film roles, engagements in Vegas and "on the road," and the enduring popularity of his sitcom alter ego, Gomer Pyle -- well, there's more, although Nabors sounds quite matter-of-fact when he considers where he's been.
"In 40 years I was never without a job, and I had such a diversified career, which I don't think most people have. There was the situation comedy as an actor, and I had a variety show, and then I had a record career, and then I had a concert career and a Vegas kind of show career, and they're all totally different. To have been successful in each one of these venues was pretty awesome -- for me, anyway."
And as for the future?
"The way I look at it, to get to this point, I did a lot of 'Golleeees,' man," he said.
"I still occasionally work. I'll do a cruise or something like that. I played Chicago this year ... which is great fun. I'm not bored at all. I realize that this is the winter of my life and the last go-round, and I just want to enjoy my life ... and do things I want to do. I don't dwell on it, but I got to thinking about it the other day, and I realized I really worked hard."
"A Merry Christmas With Friends & Nabors" Tune into Christmas
Where: Hawaii Theatre
When: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday
Tickets: $45 and $55
Call: 528-0506
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