THE LOCAL ANGLE: Janel Parrish, who played Little Cosette in "Les Miserables" here in Hawai'i and now lives in California, is home visiting family. Now 18, she recently had a guest role on Nickelodeon's "Zoey 101," which will air in October. "I graduated from high school last year," said Parrish. "All my aunties (here) tell me I sound so haole now. I gotta brush up on my pidgin." ...

Cliffton Hall, a Castle Performing Arts Company alum who has appeared in professional companies of "Miss Saigon" and "Les Miserables," will take over the role of Fieryo in "Wicked" when the Tony Award-winning musical moves to Toronto in October. Hall had been understudying the part while appearing in the "Wicked" ensemble in San Diego; among the first people he called with his big news was Michael Bright, his "Saigon" buddy, who is prepping for his Curly lead in "Oklahoma!" starting Oct. 13 at Paliku Theatre. ...

Next up for The Rock (Dwayne Johnson): "Gridiron Gang," in which he plays a probation officer at a juvenile detention camp and fosters a formidable football team in four weeks. It's due Sept. 15...

Albert Pyun, ex-Islander and indie filmmaker, will attend the North American premiere of his latest, "Infection," Sept. 25 at the Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. The 72-minute movie, about a meteor with a suspected infection that lands in California, was filmed in real time during the night. The film fest will also screen the localite's first movie, "The Sword and the Sorcerer." ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Richard Dean Anderson, still adored for his "MacGyver" TV role, took in the " 'Ulalena" show recently in Lahaina and had a great time. He stopped by the gift shop — but no word if he concocted a gizmo from any items. Staffers said he was most friendly. ...

Now it can be told: Those two tykes, playing a young Augie T and a buddy at the comedian's "Then and Now" taped show at the Farrington High School auditorium, turn out to be those Tario brothers, TX and T.J. TX played little Augie, T.J. was the buddy.

The young actors were recently in "The King & I" with Richard Chamberlain and Jan Maxwell; T.J. now is prepping for a piano recital at Ellen Masaki's studio, and the Tario brothers are eager to land roles in the "You Somebody" revival next year at Diamond Head Theatre. ...

Country singer Dwight Yoakam will concertize Nov.16 at the Waikiki Shell. ...

TRAVEL LOG: Cheryl Flaharty, artistic director of the IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre, is off on a month-long European jaunt. She'll scout venues at Scotland's Fringe Festival for the local company's 2007 Fringe debut. She'll also visit Spain, Italy and the island of Iona — hoping to find inspiration that may evolve into future dance pieces. ...

Homegrown ballet dancer Elizabeth Mertz, a member of the American Ballet Theatre, guested with the Argentine-directed New Generation Dance Company a few weeks back in New York. She performed in "Black-White Tango," a fusion of tango, modern and ballet. Kayleen Polichetti, who is with Hastings & Pleadwell, took in the performance. Her son, Dante Polichetti, is a member of New Generation's student company. ...

Ooklah the Moc embarks on a West Coast tour, beginning Friday in Solana Beach and ending Sept. 10 in Seattle.The group will hit San Diego, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Monica, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, Portland and Olympia, in case you're traveling that-a-way.

Na Palapalai and producer Shawn Kekoa Pimental were recently in Paris. The band performed to three capacity crowds at Paris Quartier d'Ete, the city's big summer arts festival, in the historic Jardin des Tuileries. Tehani Kealamaialani Pimental, Miss Aloha Hula 2000, danced. Now Na Palapalai is busy mixing its third CD, due out this fall. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.