We know of Jason Scott Lee as a film star and now we will get to see him as an opera performer in Mozart's “;Abduction from the Seraglio,”; presented by the Hawaii Opera Theatre Friday, Sunday and Tuesday in the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Jason will portray Pasha, the harem lord, surrounded by a bevy of beauties called “;First Wives,”; who are all former Miss Hawaiis. The lovelies are: Cheryl Bartlett, 1986; Cathy Foy, 1975; B.J. Johnston-Feldman, 1949; Lani Kaaa, 1991; Pamela Kimura, 1992; Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, 1984; and Courtney Nicolle Naso, 1994. George Dyer and Audrey Elizabeth Luna, who played “;Romeo and Juliette”; for HOT last year, return for principal roles again in this opera ...

“;Souvenir”; lead actress Stefanie Smart was hospitalized Saturday evening with a serious back ailment, forcing Diamond Head Theatre to cancel performances of shows last Saturday night and Sunday. Mary Chestnut will step into the role of Florence Foster Jenkins for the 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 4 p.m. Sunday shows. Tomorrow's show is canceled. “;Our thoughts and prayers go toward the rapid recovery of Ms. Smart,”; said DHT Artistic Director John Rampage. “;In the meantime, we are confident that Ms. Chestnut will fill the role admirably”; ...

HERO IS OFTEN used to describe people nowadays, but it can be used over and over again to honor Capt. Chesley “;Sully”; Sullenberger. Sully saved the lives of all 155 people aboard US Airways Flight 1549 on Jan. 15 by making a miraculous landing in the Hudson River. CBS anchor Katie Couric interviewed the pilot and crew, as well as emotional survivors and Sully's family, on “;60 Minutes”; Sunday. Besides flying airliners, Sully has been a fighter pilot and a flight safety instructor. He is a total professional who used his skills to make the miraculous landing.

The pilot answered Katie's questions clearly with no hesitation. He said he did his job, what he was trained to do to make the safe water landing, and explained how it was done. I'd sure like to have him as my pilot whenever I fly. In discussing the large birds that hit the aircraft with a loud boom, Sully said he could smell burned birds coming from the engine. Other members of the crew in the interview were co-pilot Jeff Skiles and flight attendants Donna Dent, Sheila Dail and Doreen Welsh. All of the crew wore uniforms during the interview except Doreen. There was little panic during the emergency up front but Doreen was in the rear of the plane and said things were rough back there. Her uniform was in shreds, soaking wet, she said. “;The uniform just went to pieces. I can't explain. I'm just not ready to put it on yet.”;

She said someone opened a door in the rear and water gushed in the cabin. She tried to close it but could not. If you didn't see Sunday's “;60 Minutes,”; don't miss it if they have a rerun. It's a great piece of work ...