"Mardi Gras Follies," for 50 years a staple at The Banyans at Pearl Harbor, is moving to the Hawai'i Theatre for a Feb. 3-5 run.

Jack Cione, the retired showman long associated with the elaborately-costumed extravaganza, will again direct the production — and he's eager to discover variety acts.

Cione is looking for customary showgirls to don the lavish headdresses and "Carnivale"-style costumes but welcomes other novelty acts in myriad genres for the first-time presentation at the downtown facility.

Cione is looking for "anything new, fresh, exciting," and who and what he finds in tryouts will determine the script and shape of the show, he said.

Open auditions will be at 2 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Hawai'i Theatre.

Bill Doherty will design costumes in the spirit of Las Vegas showrooms, and Wally White will design stage sets.

While the usual singers and dancers are sought, Cione hopes that acrobats, yo-yo prodigies and other types of performers will audition.

For information, call Cione at 922-8401.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.