Aloha Performing Arts Company

Aloha Performing Arts Company's production of "To Kill a Mockingbird" has been cast and rehearsals are underway in preparation for the May 8 opening. Christopher Sergel has concisely adapted the play from Harper Lee's gripping 1960 novel about the crisis of conscience that rocked a sleepy Alabama town in 1935. The book, which won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize, is still number one on the list of books read most often by high school students in the U.S. APAC's production features a cast of over 30 volunteer performers under the direction of Jerry Tracy.

Randy Ressler heads up the cast as defense attorney Atticus Finch, the role immortalized on film by Gregory Peck. Atticus' children, Scout and Jem, are played by Amanda Madigan and Jacob Simpson, both of whom appeared most recently in APAC's "Big River, the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Newcomer Simon Ellis plays the role of Dill, a summer visitor to the Finch household. Calpurnia, the Finch family housekeeper, is played by Virginia Halliday. Three neighbor women, Miss Stephanie, Miss Maudie, and Mrs. Dubose, are played by Kristy Krauss, Celia Frost, and Jackie Kalani, respectively. Terry Westerman plays Heck Tate, the town sheriff; Ernie Gianotti is Judge Taylor, and David A. Payne portrays Reverend Sykes as well as serving as movement director. Tommy Edwards plays the falsely accused Tom Robinson, and his accusers, Bob and Mayella Ewell, are played by Dick Hershberger and Sara Beery. Colehour Bondera and Billy Baker play Walter Cunningham Senior and Junior, Eugene Gall is the court clerk, and Robb Dahlke portrays Horace Gilmer, the prosecuting attorney. Boo Radley will be played by John Powell, who is also stage manager of the production. In addition, the show will feature extras, or background players, in several scenes. These players include Kaia Bondera, Geoffrey Hand, Pono Christiansen, Kristiana VanPernis, Korey Tippins, Isaac Dwyer, Mia Kriebl-Bruno, Mackenzie McFadden, Jack Simpson, Charlene Simpson, Paula Cornwell, and Laurie Wilson. Cornwell and Wilson are also serving as costume designers. Other designers include: Steve Reynolds, set; Merlin Green, sound, April Mai, lighting, and Tiffany Kutsunai, hair and makeup. Robin O'Hara is assistant director, and Carmen Kinsey and Toni Reynolds are co-producers.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" will be performed at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu May 8 through 23, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 and $15, and are available by phone Monday through Thursday at 322-1648, online at www.apachawaii.org, or at the box office beginning one hour prior to curtain time. On Fridays, all seats are $12. The Aloha Theatre Cafe will be open on performance nights, and dinner reservations can be made at 322-3383. A special weekday matinee is planned for school audiences on Friday, May 15. For more information, call 322-9924.

4/12/09