Hawaii, Surgeon pumps 'Heartbeat' in Waikiki showroom, Bulletin Star

The final nail was driven into the coffin of "Waikiki Nei" last week, when a Denver-based director-producer arrived in Honolulu to start promoting its replacement at the newly renamed Royal Hawaiian Theater.

Dr. Dennis Law, a retired Denver surgeon, has developed what he calls an action-musical titled "Heartbeat Hawaii" which will open July 17. It will be his eighth such production.

"When my company started in 2001, I noticed there was an acrobatic dance ability in China ... that isn't found anywhere else," he said last weekend in an interview at the Sheraton Waikiki. "I'd never seen these types of dance movements (before)."

Law plans to bring 75 cast and crew members to the theater. Many top jobs, including costume designer, supervising composer and lead choreographers, are held by Chinese nationals. The only "Waikiki Nei" holdover is Roy Tokujo, who remains as co-producer of "Heartbeat Hawaii."

Law said the production will be similar to a Broadway show while incorporating Hawaiian themes. He also plans to draw upon his experiences as a tourist to develop material.

"I don't think a show in this kind of a market should ever try to teach too much," he said. "I believe (audiences) want to be entertained within the context of this location, (and) action is a universal language" ...

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