WAILUKU - He was discovered and mentored by John McCormack, made his
debut as Rodolfo in "La Boheme," in Cannes, was coached by Toscanini at
La Scala, became one of the first popular recording artists of classical
music, gave a command performance for Woodrow Wilson in the White House
in 1919, sang leading roles in Paris, was featured as Canio and Manrico
in the San Francisco Opera's 1932 season, appeared in numerous films...
and yet chances are you have never heard of Tandy MacKenzie.

But now, he is about to be restored to a certain measure of fame, with
a play about him to premiere here in the Cultural Center on Maui, the
island where he was born in 1892.  Wayne Moniz is the author of "Tandy!"
about the talented and unlucky singer, whose career collapsed before
World War II, just as he was about to make his Met debut, and although
he lived until 1963, the world pretty ignored him later in life, forgot
about him since.

Besides dealing with MacKenzie's life and career, Moniz's play dwells
into the singer's complex relationship with the Islands, resolved near
the end of his life.  In an interview with Moniz in the Cultural Center
program, Rita Goldman has him describe a scene that's especially meaningful
to those who have experienced Maui's Hansen's Disease colony in person:

"In the scene, MacKenzie travels to Kalaupapa to perform for the leprosy
patients.  He's uneasy, making the trek down the face of the cliff on
the back of a mule, worried that his audience may be contagious, worried
that they won't be able to appreciate his art.

"His fears prove groundless.  The first person he encounters is his
mother's former dressmaker.  Surprised, MacKenzie hugs her and asks
what she's doing in Kalaupapa.  `Ah, just a little leprosy,' she says.
`No pilikia [problem].'

"He's introduced to Adeline Balsta, who will accompany him on piano.
As he reaches to shake hands, he sees that she's missing several fingers.
`Don't worry, Mr.  MacKenzie,' she laughs.  `I just have to move all the
fingers that I have to make up for the missing ones.  I do the Minute
Waltz in 30 seconds'."

I wonder who will take on the task of resurrecting memories of Keaumoku
Louis, another outstanding singer from Hawaii, who disappeared into a past
not all that distant.

Janos Gereben/SF [In Hawaii to 4/10]
www.sfcv.org
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