Oh, lei! From all accounts, it was a Broadway opening unlike any other; our very own Loretta Ables Sayre, who plays Bloody Mary in the hit revival of "South Pacific" at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center, presented vanda orchid lei to everyone in the cast (40 on stage) and in the orchestra (30). The lei were fragrant and eye-catching at the premiere and even at the after-show party.

It was a sight to behold; audience members could spot the purple-and-white lei, some on the music stands in the orchestra pit; the harpist displayed hers atop the instrument. When the musical director Ted Sperling started Act 2, he was wearing his, and violinists placed theirs on their right shoulders (since the fiddle rests on their left). Also, brass folks decorated their instruments with the garlands.

At the after-show fete at Tavern on the Green, Ables Sayre donned several lei, truly carrying out the Island tradition. As folks arrived, "It's a hit, it's a hit" became a common shout. Many checked their BlackBerries and iPhones for reviews (yes, it's still a first-night big-deal); and Ables Sayre's lei-giving has been duly noted in the production's Lincoln Center Theater blog (www.lct.org): "These natural necklaces were, in a sense, a case of painting the peacock, since to watch the cast at the party was to realize that they are all — every one! — even more attractive offstage than on." ...

Even Mary Rodgers and Alice Hammerstein, daughters of the show's collaborators Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, donned their vanda lei (presented to them by Loretta's spouse, David Sayre), at the cast party. First-nighters ranged from baseball legend Yogi Berra to "Law & Order" star Sam Waterston. See the happy faces from that enchanted evening in a photo gallery at www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Photo_Op.aspx?ci=563145 ... or view opening-night scenes and interviews (yes, our girl's among 'em) at www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Video.aspx?ci=563146 ...

The first 16 weeks (including previews) are 80 percent sold out, resulting in an open-run extension with sales through Jan. 4. This helped set up a second Diamond Head Theatre tour to The Big Apple in November. The first one, departing May 21 for New York, is sold out. So, to cheer on Ables Sayre with DHT Nov. 5-12, call 733-0277, ext. 301, for details. ...

SHOW BREEZES: Comedian Frank DeLima and singer Yvonne Elliman will headline the Damien Memorial School lu'au, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. He's a Damien alum, who never misses the lu'au, now in its 41st year. She's a Roosevelt grad of "Jesus Christ Superstar" fame. Kaleo Pilanca, Pili'Oha and Te Vai Ura Nui will also take the stage; the event includes a buffet, boutique and raffle. Tickets are $40 for adults, $20 for kids. Call 841-0196. ...

DeLima sings "I Wish They Didn't Mean Goodbye" in tribute to the defunct Aloha Airlines. One super line: "Aloha was for many the bird up in the sky; but now it only means goodbye." You can hear it and download it at www.frankdelima.com. ...

ITEMIZATIONS: Chris Opiopio, the former Aloha Airlines employee featured in media coverage of the shutdown of the carrier, was the spirit of Aloha, who put passengers and co-workers before herself. She had planned to celebrate her April 8 birthday with a trip to Las Vegas with friends. The abrupt job loss meant a quick turn-around, and instead on Saturday held an at-home Waimanalo party for her colleagues. She is the spouse of veteran Island deejay Krash Kealoha, who has had health issues, so now they both are unemployed. ...

HITHER 'N' YON: Two rock musicians last week brought a bit of stardust to Mala Wailea, at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Slash, the former Guns 'N Roses guitarist, munched on Kobe steak. Earlier, Nickelback's Mike Kroeger, the group's bass guitarist, enjoyed the Kobe cheeseburger. They join the likes of rocker Alice Cooper, director Richard Donner and entrepreneur Shep Gordon in supporting the new Maui fave. ...

The four women of "Meno-pause the Musical" — Janis Roeton, Liz Hyde, Nancy Slusser and Monique Whittington — and their national touring company road crew stopped at Romano's Macaroni Grill for a feast before Tuesday's opening at the Hawai'i Theatre, which was followed by a cast party at Compadres. A couple of the cast members have been here before and are eager to explore — Neighbor Isles, too ...

Stefanie Smart will be off to Oklahoma City for this Saturday's Western Heritage Awards gala, representing (with her brother Parker and cousin Willow) the Smart 'ohana when their ancestor, John Palmer Parker, the founder of Parker Ranch, is inducted into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum's Hall of Great Westerners. ...

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.