PLAID AND GLAD: Three of the four principals in Manoa Valley Theatre's "Plaid Tidings," opening Nov. 7, were involved in Diamond Head Theatre's recent "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," so the camaraderie continues. Andrew Sakaguchi (Smudge), who is directing and choreographing "Plaid," earlier did similar duties on "Whorehouse," in which Sean Jones (Frankie) and Aaron Komo (Sparky) had roles. Which means they were rehearsing "Plaid" while doing the other show, which makes Mike Dupre (Jinx) the only one "new" to the trio.

"I'm really proud of these boys and this show and I really want to get the word out," said Sakaguchi. "And we're having a blast." Jones (MidPacific Institute) and Komo (Punahou School) are high-schoolers. Dupre is a student of John Mount and Larry Paxton of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's music department. ...

And if you're sewing or upholstering anything in plaid, don't bother going to Kaimuki Dry Goods for the fabric. The MVT costumers bought out the store's entire supply to stitch up four plaid jackets for the actors. The show is a spinoff of "Forever Plaid" — with a holiday theme. MVT is angling for sellout, with a pre-opening special. Buy tickets by opening night (which is sold out) and get $5 off the regular adult price. Call 988-6131. ...

And the theater is launching a First Thursday to-do, with special beverages and pre-show extras on Nov. 8. ...

ON THE GO: Duane "Dog" Chapman will be the cover guy of the winter edition of Go! in-flight magazine i fly go!, and an upcoming British GQ. In the U.K., "Dog the Bounty Hunter" is aired on the Bravo channel, and his popularity is soaring — maybe the Dog and his posse can kokua Scotland Yard? ...

Hapa's Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau talked story (via a translator) with Tomoshige Kase, managing editor of Rolling Stone's Japan edition, over gyoza and green tea at the Takanawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo earlier this month. The duo chatted about the mounting popularity of Hawaiian music among Japanese and the chat ranged from the pair's upcoming "Hula" CD to their awardwinning "Maui" of last year. Hapa has been on a 30-city Japan tour that ends Dec. 15, with a lot of print interviews with Japanese publications reaching 30 million readers. ...

Musician Kit Samson is off to Manila for a gig or two, with possible stops in Bangkok before returning in mid-November. He's the man for party music; besides the recent 'Ilima Awards at Diamond Head Theatre, Samson provided music for Kelvin Ro's Ho'okipa evening benefitting Kapi'olani Community College's culinary program. ...

FILM CLIPS: This year's Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival trailer is a mini-movie honcho'd by Hollywood film and TV producer-director Neal Israel (he executive produced "Finding Neverland"), who now calls Kahala home. He and director Jason Lau came up with a polished production that involves tourists from Kansas, time-travel and Captain Cook. It was shot at Kualoa Ranch and in Waikiki's International Market Place, with labor, equipment and other costs donated.

Speaking of HIFF, the festival screened the British film "The Killing of John Lennon" on Friday and Monday. Shot on location on O'ahu and in New York, the Honolulu segment included Makana as a beach boy with a thing for Mark David Chapman's mom.

Kaua'i indie filmmaker Aaron Yamasato is home from a whirlwind Kyoto visit to promote his "Blood of the Samurai 2" and "Ninja EX" premiere at the Kyoto/Toei Studios. "I was getting chicken skin, going to meetings and walking around the Toei Studios back lot at night," he said. ...

Leon and Malia's updated "Hawai'i Kids Calabash" is getting a series of Oceanic 16 airings, at 2:30 p.m. today, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday and 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. It's kid- and family-friendly, says Malia. ...

PEOPLE WATCHING: Compadres Bar & Grill in Ward Centre was busy during the recent Boss' Day. Ex-newscaster Ann Botticelli was among those honored; others included Jim Linkner, the recording engineer-producer of such acts as Keali'i Reichel, who got a table visit from Peggy Buchwach, widow of former Advertiser editor Buck Buchwach. Amie Klemmer and Beth Harbottle, daughters of Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen picked the new Ruth's Chris Steak House at Waikiki Beach Walk as the site for the family meal, accompanied by their respective husbands, Dr. Howie Klemmer of The Queen's Medical Center ER staff, and Ikaika Harbottle, plus all four of Bowlen's grandchildren, Lillie, Eric, Nalu and Will. ...

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.