HONOLULU — Hawaii audiences will get another chance to see two friends — and arguably two of the most recognizable faces on Hawaii television — take to the stage for a good cause.
KHON2 news anchor Joe Moore and venerable game show host Pat Sajak, who just announced his retirement from “Wheel of Fortune,” are starring in “The Sunshine Boys.”
Sajak is currently on Oahu as he and Moore rehearse for their upcoming production of the Neil Simon play, set to run at Hawaii Theatre Center, June 15 to 25. Joining the duo will be Moore’s son, Bryce, making his professional stage debut. All proceeds will benefit Hawaii Theatre Center.
Directed by Alex Munro, a multiple Pookela Award winner, “The Sunshine Boys” features Moore in the role of Willie Clark and Sajak as Al Lewis, former kings of comedy who haven’t spoken to one another in years. Clark’s nephew/talent agent, Ben Clark (Bryce Moore) attempts to bring the duo together after CBS calls for one last televised reunion.
Dealing with past grudges and aging ailments isn’t easy, and it’s what brings about superb laughs amid heartwarming moments for the audience.
The trio will be joined by a supporting cast made up of Therese Olival, Jeanne Wynn Herring, Andrew Baker, Alex Munro, Bart DaSilva and Andrew Doan.
Joe Moore grew up in Hawaii and attended Aiea High School for three years. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Moore and Sajak met at the American Forces Vietnam Network in Saigon.
Moore began his broadcast career in Vietnam. Upon returning to Hawaii in 1969, he joined KGMB as a sportscaster under the mentorship of Bob Sevey. He then moved to KHON-TV, where he’s been informing generations of Hawaii residents of daily events ever since.
Moore’s other passion is the stage, for which he’s written and starred in numerous plays. Some of them include “Prophecy and Honor” (2007, co-starring Richard Dreyfuss and George Segal), “Will Rogers Returns,” “The Buck Stops Where?” and “A Conversation with Mozart.”
Moore has co-starred with Sajak in the Neil Simon play “The Odd Couple” in 2001 and 2012 with Moore as Oscar Madison. They’ve also appeared in “The Honeymooners” in 2004 and the Bernard Sabath play, “The Boys in Autumn” in 2010. In 2014, the duo came together in “Wrestling Ernest Hemingway,” which was based on the 1993 film.
Sajak, known to generations of television viewers as the low-key, self-effacing host of the long-running syndicated game show, “Wheel of Fortune,” has decided to step down from his role next year following the show’s 2023-24 season.
Sajak, 76, announced his decision on Monday via his personal Twitter account:
On the show’s Facebook page in response to Sajak’s farewell message, fan Maureen Jacquot wrote: “Unbeknownst to you, Pat, you’ve joined us for dinner for decades! Over the years, your sense of humor made us smile through good times and bad — and at least a few dozen questionable meals. We’ll sure miss you at our table, but wish you all the best!”
Indeed, for many Hawaii households, both Moore and Sajak were nightly dinner guests, as the game show followed Moore’s early evening newscast.
Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.