NOTES FROM AFAR: Honolulu-based Chris Lee, on leave from the Academy for Creative Media at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa to executive-produce United Artists' "Valkyrie" in Berlin, says it's been a very family-oriented shoot. The film, directed by Bryan Singer, stars Tom Cruise as Col. Claus von Stauffenberg in the World War II tale based on facts about a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Mrs. Cruise — that's Katie Holmes — and daughter Suri have been on the set most days and nights. "She is the happiest baby and so quiet on the set," Lee wrote of Suri in an e-mail. ...

When "Live Free or Die Hard" premiered in Berlin earlier this summer, actress Maggie Q of Hawai'i and her two sisters paused for a visit. Locals who visited the set also included Kauila Barber, who was doing hair and makeup for Kelly Hu on "The Tournament" in Sofia, Bulgaria, and Hu's cousin, DJ Michael Fong, who stopped by from Maui. ...

OTHER PROJECTS SHOOTING IN BERLIN: "Speed Racer" with Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon and "Lost's" Matthew Fox among the cast; and "The Reader," with Honolulu-born Nicole Kidman and Ralph Fiennes. ...

ROARING SUCCESS: Quite an ovation was roused for Afatia Thompson, a Samoan fire-dance king from Tihati Productions, at a "Lion King" post-opening party at the Pacific Club. Thompson, a sometimes singer, led male troupers from Tihati; Miss Hawaii 2006 Pilialoha Gaison led the female delegation. The "King" cast and crew gave the Polynesian cast a spirited reception. ...

I wore a "Lion King" T-shirt, bought at Blaisdell Concert Hall, on a one-day visit to Kaua'i last week, and over dinner at Gaylord's, in gift shops and at the Kaua'i Hilton, six people inquired about the show's Honolulu run — seems the Disney musical has far-flung appeal. Expect Kauaians to fly — perhaps not Superferry — their way over. ...

Mary Ann Changg, a photographer, clown, face-painter and makeup artist, has wound up backstage at "The Lion King." She's ensconced at Blaisdell Concert Hall through Dec. 9, where she has been hired to do makeup. "This is apropos and right up my (clown) alley," said Changg, who last year placed first in Full Face Painting at the Clowns of America International Convention in New Orleans. Coincidentally, her winning design there was a kabuki lion-tiger, done up in five minutes. ...

THE LOCAL ANGLE: Remember Antoni Luke, budding actor? Since leaving Hawai'i eight years ago, he's lived and worked in Europe, landing in such productions as "Miss Saigon," "West Side Story" and "The King and I." In "King," he played Lun Tha in the UK tour. Before settling in New York, he also did a "Seussical" tour and served as dance captain.

On a brief visit home, Luke connected with voice coach Neva Rego and convened with pals at Morton's The Steak House. ...

Add Tootsie Cazimero and Peter Rockford Espiritu to Nake'u Awai's holiday extravaganza, "Music of the Sixties: Up! Up! and Away" Dec. 1 at the Ko'olau Golf Club. She'll sing "Goin' Out of My Head," he's choreographing "Yesterday" as a modern dance piece. For tickets, call 841-1221. ...

Stuart Chafetz, principal timpanist for the Honolulu Symphony and Maui Pops music director, is the new resident maestro of the Milwaukee Symphony.

During the next two seasons, Chafetz will be "switching podiums" with Andreas Delfs, the music director of the Milwaukee Symphony who is the principal conductor of the Honolulu Symphony. Maestro Chafetz also will conduct the Chicago Symphony in May for the third time. ...

Matthew Gray's Hawaii Food Tours, which offers dining adventures around town for culinary tourists who come to visit Honolulu, got a nice lift recently when MSNBC did a bit on eight islands for food in the world — and tapped Hawaii Food Tours as the top O'ahu pick.

Details: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20479169. ...

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.