LION'S DEN: Cast members from "The Lion King" will appear in a benefit cabaret show from 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Halekulani hotel — a rare chance to see actors-singers doing material they adore doing on their "dark" night. The show will aid "Destination: Groove Dance Hawai'i," the new reality show airing on KHNL and K5 The Home Team, and surely the link is Christine Yasunaga, creator-producer of "Destination" who was an original member of the "Lion King" dance ensemble — and the lone Asian at a time when the cast was mainly black (there also was a Puerto Rican performer).

Yasunaga heads for Broadway in November to celebrate the musical's 10th anniversary Nov. 13. The Islander in the visiting company is Charlaine Katsuyoshi, who happens to be that stunning cheetah you see at Blaisdell Concert Hall.

No word on which cast members will appear; we've been to similar endeavors in the past and troupers adore the opportunity to share tunes not from their nightly "work." "Destination" co-host Jordan Segundo will be on hand, and the Halekulani will create "theme" drinks inspired by the musical to raise the bar on cocktails. Individual tickets start at $100, with reserved space at $200 per person. Details: 373-9911 or info@destinationgroove.com. ...

SHOW BREEZES: We took in Tomás Kub’nek's sold-out show last Friday at Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College, where he totally enchanted the audience (standing ovation! laughter! hurrahs!) with his truly certifiably looney and impossibly masterful act of magic, mime, comedy and pratfalls — with oodles of charm and invention to spare.

Besides his whimsical wit, he has a pliable body — displayed in a late-in-the-show shtick where he maneuvers limbs (arms and legs) beneath an oversized nightshirt costume to pretend to be small (as in a kid). Yes, he flew — airborne, with wings, and tethered to a cable — and the most rapturous moment was when he donned four extra pairs of shoes (strapped to a gizmo attached to his knees and legs) and coasted to and fro, rocking with hysterical delight. Kub’nek should return again and play more nights — surely, word of mouth will fuel more SRO houses. Blissful fun, through and through, and not like anything you're likely to see too often. ...

At the wedding reception of Laura Mae Chang and Kris Kawamoto last Saturday at the Hyatt Regency ballroom, the bride opted to give her bouquet to her best friend — mom Lynne Chang, a copy editor at The Advertiser. And being the first grandchild of Henry "Froggy" and Ethel Matsuo, the patriarch and matriarch of the bridal side of the 'ohana didn't hold back in supporting the reception — so much so that Froggy sat in a chair covered in pristine white and labeled "Platinum Sponsor." "Those crazy kids," he sighed, obviously delighted by the signage and the attention. ...

TRADE WINDS: "Kukahi," Keali'i Reichel's DVD featuring powerful hula kahiko and a rare segment with his hula mentor Uncle George Holoka'i, has been delayed till Nov. 6 — a week later than planned. A regular version will be issued, followed by the desirable high-def version. Saw a preview — it is worth the wait. Resourceful, educational, immensely entertaining and alluring. ...

Richard Vida, New York actor who's spent part of his time in Honolulu, is on the first national tour of the Tony Award-winning "The Drowsy Chaperone," which debuted at Toronto's Elgin Theatre.

He's noticed the Honolulu connections — Kevin McCollum is producer, as he was for the original Broadway production; and one of the show's original stars, Georgia Engel, a University of Hawai'i grad, is on the tour. Wardrobe supervisor Leah Redmond, '93 Punahou alum who majored in theater and French at UH, still calls Kailua home. ...

Steve Austin, g.m. of Compadres in Lahaina, and wife Ashlan welcomed Daisy Rain Austin on Sept. 13. The cutie weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long. ...

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.