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12/17/2003
Memorable Performances for
Friends and Nabors Christmas 2003
With its inagural show in 1996, A Merry Christmas with Friends
and Nabors has been so successful that it has become
an annual tradition. The variety show, which is a
collaboration of the Honolulu Symphony, the Hawai'i
Theatre, and Naborly Productions, features not only
Jim Nabors and the Symphony Musicians, directed by
Matt Catingub, but many well-known local entertainers
and talented youth.
For the 2003 production,
performers included Jimmy Borges, Karen Keawehawai'i,
Emma Veary, Philip Huber and the Huber Marionettes,
the Company Singers, the Diamond Head Theatre Shooting
Stars, Halau Hula 'O Kawaili'ula, and Hula Hui O
Kupunahala 'O Nu'uanu YMCA. Nabors, who is a big
supporter of the Honolulu Symphony and the Hawai'i
Theatre, has generously donated his services every
year for this show.
There were many memorable moments on opening night
this year, but not all of them involved music and
dancing. With three numbers to go, suddenly all the
stage lights went out. How and when the show would
continue immediately came into question, but the show
did indeed continue. After a 20-minute delay, Jim
Nabors together with representatives of the Hawai'i
Theatre and the Honolulu Symphony decided to continue
the performance with acoustic piano, bass and drums.
Since the musicians of the orchestra were unable to
play in the dark, and not knowing when or if the
power would come back on, Symphony Management
dismissed the musicians. Surprisingly, shortly
thereafter power was restored and the show finished
with the dancers and singers accompanied by electric
piano, bass and drums.
A few musicians did remain on stage or went into the audience simply to
enjoy the remainder of the show.
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