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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, July 19, 2007

SHOW BIZ
Bravo! to Society of Seven, 'Somebody' shows

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Columnist

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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SHOW BREEZES: Two weekend shows — the Society of Seven, in a pair of performances at Blaisdell Concert Hall loaded with marvelous morsels, and Diamond Head Theatre's "You Somebody," the Lee Cataluna-Keola Beamer concoction that still resonated with laughter — were fun, fun, fun.

Jasmine Trias, in her first showcase event here, was a guest on the SOS blockbuster, revisiting her "American Idol" roots, but also expanding her horizons via a medley of Broadway tunes. Bravo! Trias now has a club act and clearly was a hometown fave. Not that the audience didn't support the formidable range of material by Lani Misalucha, the resident Filipina songbird with the Las Vegas-based SOS; she reprised her elegant "Kamehameha Waltz" to elevate her "localness."

Tony Ruivivar is the wizard of ahhs in the parade of fantasy impressions and costumed "Wizard of Oz" and "Cars" segments; Bert Sagum's comedic shticks have become wackier than ever; and newcomers Marc Escueta and Vince Mendoza (as singers and dancers) have found their niche, joining Wayne Wakai, Hoku Low and Roy Guerzo, note for note, instrument for instrument. ...

SOMEBODIES: Cataluna has smartly updated the script and lyrics to name-drop folks like Trias, Matt Catingub, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Jordan Segundo and "the guy nobody knows" who won the first Hawaiian Grammy (sorry, Charles Michael Brotman, you're not actually named). Loretta Ables Sayre, as Pua Lusa, remains the magnet and focal point of the production, in the role of the fame-hungry mom she originated five years ago, but her nemesis, Eloise Baga (played by Angela Morales, with the help of a bumbucha wig), gives her a run for the money.

The trio of former Miss Hawaiis portrayed by former queens Cheryl Toma Sanders (spelled by Cathy Foy Mahi in some performances), Traci Toguchi and Denby Dung) are remarkable as recurring fairy godmothers to Pomai Lopez, the Lisa Lusa daughter character, who truly is at the apex of the insecurities and consequences of familial and personal fame. And James Kimo Kaona, as son Bobby Lusa, looks like a "somebody" to watch — the kid has great comedic talent. ...

CALENDAR CUES: Tahiti Fernandez, daughter of entertainer Augie Rey, makes her first solo appearance (sans dad) at 6 p.m. today at Soul de Cuba downtown. She's also been coached by Neva Rego to compete in the San Diego "American Idol" auditions July 30. ...

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band are heading this way again, at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Waikiki Shell, but it won't be cheap: Reserved seats are $126 and $76, $38.50 for the lawn, going on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Blaisdell box office and Ticketmaster locations, with $1 earmarked for Buffett's favorite charity, Singing For Change. ...

Out Kaua'i way, Hapa — that's Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau — headline Koloa Plantation Days' Sunset Ho'olaulea, from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Sheraton Kaua'i resort in Po'ipu. Hapa treks to Japan for a five-city tour later this year. ...

ITEMIZATIONS: People magazine's "World's Richest Teen" issue, now on stands, lists actor Daniel Radcliffe (at $50 million) the wealthiest thanks to his "Harry Potter" films, but golfer Michelle Wie's $10 million in endorsement is a nice chunk of change. The mag also says that the "High School Musical" duo and off-screen sweethearts Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens are among the Disney biggies. And the pair vacationed on Maui at a $3,100-a-night villa. ...

Uncle's Fish Market & Grill, at Pier 38, is holding an invitational grand opening on Saturday, and ultimately should evolve into a popular destination for local and family-style dining. Proprietor is Bruce Johnson, the uncle of entertainers Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Eric Gilliom, who are expected to show up to sing for their uncle, along with Ernie Cruz Jr. and Fiji. ...

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.