Academy Award winner Michael Caine and his lovely wife, Shakira Baksh, quietly sneaked in for dinner at Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Kíhei the other night. Must be taking a breather before the release of the actor's latest, "Harry Brown," a thriller with a vigilante theme. Caine, of course, is known for "Alfie," "Sleuth" and "The Dark Night" ...

With Lea Salonga in our midst this month, it's worth mentioning that "Miss Saigon," the show that launched her career — she's the original Kim in Cameron Mackintosh's theatrical blockbuster — will be a 2011 film, likely directed by Lee Daniels, who helmed "Precious," the film with buzz as huge as its star. Paula Wagner, Tom Cruise's longtime agent and cinematic partner ("Mission Impossible" trilogy), will produce. Salonga is not likely to recreate Kim. ...

RAIN DROPS: Hawai'i Rain fans — he's the South Korean superstar of K-pop and films — continue to be loyal in spite of his Aloha Stadium concert cancellation here nearly two years ago. Geri Mehrtens (rainhawaiiancloud @yahoo.com) is one of the big Rain rooters rallying around "Ninja Assassin," which stars Rain, and she's calling for fans to gather en masse at 7 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Ward Theatres for a film screening. Hawaiian Cloud fan clubbers are purchasing advance tickets; e-mail Mehrtens by Thursday to join the hoopla, since "Ninja" and Rain collectibles will be given away as prizes. Fans are hoping Rain falls Christmas time in Las Vegas — unconfirmed rumors persist that he'll perform Dec. 24 and 25 at Caesars Palace. ...

SPEAKING OF VEGAS: Frannie Kirk of Outrigger Entertainment flew to Las Vegas earlier this month, for the launch of the Society of Seven and Jasmine Trias at the Gold Coast showroom. Her son Mike drove from Phoenix to join her, and they adored the new act and show, mounted, of course, by Tony Ruivivar, who is exhibiting new lead singer Michael Laygo for the first time in Vegas. Kirk's review: "There are lots of amusing and fun moments — Jasmine doing Cher with her two muscled bodyguards (Bert Sagum and Laygo), the ensemble singing and dancing 'You Can't Stop the Beat' from 'Hairspray,' where Bert is attired in a poodle skirt, lopsided bosoms and an outrageous beehive hairdo. My jaws ached from laughing so hard."

Unmissable, in other words, with shows at 3:30 and 7 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, with matinees $29.95, evening shows $39.95. Reservations: 702-251-3574 or www.goldcoastcasino.com. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Nice to see localite Kelly Hu playing an assassin named Kai on last week's "NCSI: Los Angeles," this season's hottest new show. ...

The principals of "High School Musical 2," opening Thursday at Army Community Theatre's Richardson Theatre for a Friday-Saturday run through Dec. 12, participated in a Barnes & Nobles book fair at the Ala Moana store last Friday, where a voucher or a mention of the production earned ACT a portion of sales. In this tough economy, theater groups are doing inventive things outside the box. And musical director Daren Kimura, who has a clothing line, designed a few dresses that will get onstage presence. ...

Manoa DNA is back from a Japan visit, and for dad member Lloyd Kawakami, the visit was a revelation — "I know that okonomiyaki is one of the dishes that Hiroshima is known for but one which I never really cared for until this trip," he e-mailed. A friend took Kawakami and sons Nick and Alex for okonomiyaki; it was so good, the group ate there the next two nights. Alas, Lloyd doesn't know the name of the place. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Reach Wayne Harada at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com. Read his blog Fridays in TGIF and online at http://showandtellhawaii.honadvblogs.com.