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On the Scene John Berger |
21st Annual Po‘okela
Awards ceremony
JUST "GRAVY": Brent Yoshikami, left, talked with Kathleen Sulieman, her husband, Dr. Jamil Sulieman, and Matthew Pennaz during the pre-show cocktail reception at the Koolau Golf Club last Monday. Sulieman, who received a Po'okela for her portrayal of the wicked witch in Diamond Head Theatre's production of "The Wizard of Oz," said that she was so happy to get the role that "everything else was just gravy." Yoshikami received a Po'okela for his work in Paliku Theatre's "Noises Off."
"SWING"-ERS: Dorothy Stamp, right, congratulated Arthur Johansen and Elizabeth Harrison after DHT's "Swing!" was honored in the Ensemble category. In her acceptance speech on behalf of the cast, Harrison, the show's stellar lead dancer, thanked Johansen, her dance partner, "for not dropping me on my head" during their demanding acrobatic routines.
BACK AT THE BAR: Jakara Mato, left, nominated for her superb performance in Army Community Theatre's production of "Gypsy," talked with veteran actor/director Bill Ogilivie, his daughter, Julia, and Mikel J. Humerickhouse. Julia Ogilvie received her second Po'okela for her work in DHT's "The Wizard of Oz." Humerickhouse had three nominations for Sound Design. He won a Po'okela for "Ragtime the Musical."
"TWO TRAINS" TAKES TWO: Leonard Piggee, who directed and also performed in "Two Trains Running," partied with cast member Donna Sallee. Co-produced by the Actors Group and Piggee's Honolulu African-American Repertory Theatre, the show was honored in the Ensemble and Overall Play categories.
TWO GREAT PERFORMANCES: Dennis Proulx, second from left, and Mary Chesnut Hicks talked with Guy Merola, left, and Hicks' husband, Kalani Hicks, after they'd entertained the sold-out house during the first half of the program. Proulx shared a powerful rendition of "Amsterdam" from HPU's "Jacques Brel." Hicks delivered an awe-inspiring operatic arrangement of "The Impossible Dream" -- a song she didn't sing while she was starring in ACT's "Man of La Mancha" last fall.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
John Berger has covered the local
entertainment scene since 1972. Contact
him at jberger@starbulletin.com.
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