LIFE IN THE TROPICS: As Jasmine Trias plays Las Vegas — filling in for Lani Misalucha with the Society of Seven through March 18 — she took a hit in USA Today on Tuesday. The story reflected on the first five seasons of "American Idol," saying that Season 3 — the season Trias was a contender boosted by massive voting from Hawai'i — "is generally regarded by aficionados as Idol's worst year, as symbolized by the third-place finish of Jasmine Trias, Hawai'i's sweetheart. Never has anyone gotten so far on such fragile vocal underpinnings."

USA Today also needled Maui's ninth-place finalist Camile Velasco, saying she "had even less ability to stay on pitch." To comment, go to http://idolchatter.usatoday.com. ...

When the aforementioned Society of Seven (the classic act featuring Tony Ruivivar, group leader) receives a Lifetime Achievement award Saturday in a Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts luncheon at The Royal Hawaiian's Monarch Room, three members will be on hand — Ruivivar, co-founder Bert Sagum and new trouper Marc Escueta. Or that was the plan earlier this week. The rest of the group was to remain in Las Vegas, where the SOS' show will resume Sunday. Other Hoku Award lifetimers: saxophonist Gabe Baltazar, the late singer Loyal Garner, pianist Rene Paulo and The Surfers group. ...

THE LOCAL ANGLE: We caught up with local boy Dean Pitchford at his "The Big One-Oh" book signing at Borders Pearlridge last Saturday, and he says a lot of his Saint Louis classmates had been showing up at his autograph sessions, some clutching the 1968 yearbook for his signature.

"Our yearbook came out too late for us to sign each other's," said the award-winning composer-lyricist known for such hit shows as "Fame" and "Footloose" as he put his John Hancock in one annual. He's also had a chance to wine and dine (hitting such spots as 3660 on the Rise) and returned to his alma mater again for "Beauty and the Beast," and spoke to an Academy for Creative Media group before moving on to New York for more book signings. Aimed at young adults, the book is his first novel — and a fun read. The childrens' yarn re-creates his youth in the Islands, sort of. ...

Local PGA golfer Dean Wilson played with actor Kevin Costner at Pebble Beach recently in a Pro-Am Tournament. They shared chatter about Costner's earlier years of golf, circa his "Waterworld" filming when Costner bunked at the Mauna Lani resort on the Big Island. Costner also starred in "Tin Cup," and Wilson reports that not only was the actor great in the golf film, "he's actually pretty good at the game in real life, too." ...

ON STAGE: When Patti Austin performed in the "Smooth Romance" concert Sunday at the Waikiki Shell, her timing couldn't have been better. Her "Avant Gershwin" CD is just out, with People magazine giving it a thumbs-up. Two track titles might have well summarized her Return to Romance gig in the Islands: "Lady Be Good" and "I'll Build a Staircase to Paradise." ...

Comedian Stan Egi, who just wrapped filming Gerard Elmore's "All for Melissa" (which also features Andy Bumatai and Mel Cabang), does a stand-up show at 8 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday at Sharkey's Comedy Club. ...

The interactive dinner theater fave, "Tony N' Tina's Wedding," is returning to Maui, with an April 11 launch poolside aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of Hawaii. The show's producers, Jeff Gitlin and Raphael Berko, will present performances when the ship is docked at Kahului, but also intend to roll out performances aboard NCL's Pride of Hawaii and Pride of America starting this summer.

If you know this one, spectators are witnesses/party attendees at the wedding. Maui actors will be cast for roles, with director Larry Pellegrini putting an Island spin on the production. ...

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.