Aloha Performing Arts Company

The Aloha Performing Arts Company (APAC) is pleased to announce the cast for its production of “Steel Magnolias” written by Robert Harling.
The play takes place in the 1980’s and is centered in Truvy’s Beauty Shop in Chinquapin, Louisiana. Gayle Keller portrays the vivacious Truvy, a role that she performed in the Aloha Theatre in 1991. Ms Keller is a veteran of many productions at the Aloha and Children’s Theatre. Her most recent project was the portrayal of a bigoted juror in Hualalai Academy’s Black Box Theatre production of “Twelve Angry Men.” In her real life, Ms Keller is co-owner of Kona’s Mr. Computer Wiz and works at Hualalai Academy.

Realtor Jennifer York has been cast in the part of M’Lynn the mother of bride, Shelby. Ms York views the role of M’Lynn as fun and challenging because of the wide range of emotions experienced by her character. Ms York’s roles for APAC include Chelsea in “On Golden Pond”, and Lady MacBeth, as well as that of co-producer for the production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

Shelby, the pretty, outgoing, new bride, is portrayed theatrical veteran Molly McGivern. Ms McGivern has been on stage since the age of four and has trained with the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Ms McGivern stared as Janet in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, and most recently in “The Vagina Monologues.” Her acting talents have taken her to stages in Montreal and Japan. Ms McGivery is a skills trainer at Konawena Middle School.

Christine Rogers, hot from the stage of APAC’s “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat”, has the role of Annelle, a shy, withdrawn young woman who comes to Truvy for a job and soon finds herself involved in a new life. Mrs. Rogers is a part time teacher at Innovations Charter School and a portrait photographer.

Kelly Ann Miles, a self-employed construction bookkeeper, takes the stage as the grumpy, opinionated, but softy Quiser (pronounced “Weezer”). Ms Miles has starred in many Big Island theatrical productions including the “Music Man”, “Bullshot Crummond”, “Quarantine”, “Godspell” and the “Wizard of Oz.”

Clairee is the town’s wealthy socialite, grand dame. Janet Caraway plays this role, making her acting debut in this production. Ms Caraway is new to the Big Island and holds a degree in Theatre Arts from North Texas State University. She has appeared in many summer stock roles and toured with Bill Fegan’s Theatrical Group, Shakespeare in the Park and as appeared as an extra in Hollywood productions.

“Although this play was written about a strong group of women who are great friends in the South, it could just as easily have been written about my own group of friends here in Kona,” said Co-Producer Diane Heiman. “All we’d have to do is change the name to Steel Plumerias.”

APAC Veteran Sue Boyum is directing. Producer Mark Pollard heads a production team that includes Rhonda Moore, Sam Valenti, Harry Welch, Michael Russo, Lynn Gervais, Nora Rhodes, Gene Lund, Joanie Carey, Donna Pollard, Toni Reynolds, Randy Ressler, Kaz Holllinger, Amazing Jaeger, Trish Gura and Jeannie Kutsunai.

“Steel Magnolias” will be performed at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu, Friday through Sunday beginning April 14 to the 30. Tickets are available online at www.apachawaii.org.