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On the Scene John Berger |
The once and future
Mary MagdaleneONCE IN A LIFETIME: Alison L. B. Maldonado opened as Mary Magdalene in Diamond Head Theatre's production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" on Friday knowing that Yvonne Elliman was in the audience. Elliman -- who originated the role on the original concept album, then on Broadway and then in the 1973 movie -- attended the opening-night cast party at Ryan's Grill at Ward Centre after the show where she also praised the work of Randl Ask (Herod) and Laurence Paxton (Pontias Pilate), and complimented Andrew Sakaguchi on some of his choices as director/choreographer of the show. In addition to signing autographs and posing for photos, Elliman talked musical arrangements with the show's musical director, Melina Lillios, and spoke with Mikel J. Humerickhouse (sound design) about his success in achieving concert-quality sound. Elliman ended up staying until Ryan's closed, and was a class act throughout ...
MELVEEN KNOWS HOW TO PARTY: Melveen Leed threw the party of the weekend as she celebrated her birthday at Honey's in the Ko'olau Golf Club on Sunday. Imaikalani Young, Tito Berenobis and Buddy Fo backed Leed while she was performing. Mike Kaawa and his group provided the music when she took a break. One of the musical highlights came at about 6 p.m. when Eddie Kamae sat in with Kaawa and his musicians for a set of beautiful old-time Hawaiian music. Jay Larrin, Alan Yamamoto, Lilly Yamachika, Kim Taylor Reece, Kirk Matthews, Linda Coble, Buffalo Keaulana, Lei Timario, Emme Tomimbang, James Burns, Al Waterson, Thyra Abraham, Pua Caindec, Margaret Kamahele, O'Brien Eselu and David McNeil were among the friends invited to share Da Tita's big day. Her age wasn't mentioned, but Glenn Pinho saw two candles on the cake -- a "1" and a "6" -- and suggested that must make her "sweet 16"...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To Jack Law and Sherry Chock Wong, celebrating tomorrow ... Also to Philana Bouvier (Sunday), and country music maven Charlie Garrett who stars mornings on AM940/KHCM (Tuesday) ...
INTERESTING PEOPLE: Tino Ibach survived the long and problematic gestation of his debut album, "Tino & The Rhythm Klub," but vows he'll insist on full creative control on the next one. He's already picked a name for the sequel (we're sworn to secrecy on that) and has morphed into a hipper and edgier look more representative of his identity as a writer and performer ... Jimmy Borges is well known for his youthful appearance, but check out Joe Recca these days! Slim and trim, with longer hair and upscale Euro-hip fashions, Recca appears years younger -- and happier as well ...
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
John Berger has covered the local
entertainment scene since 1972. Contact
him at jberger@starbulletin.com.