Aloha Performing Arts Company

Aloha Performing Arts Company
P.O. Box 794
Kealakekua, HI 96750
808-322-9924

7/13/06

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jerry Tracy or Sam Valenti, 322-9924

APAC CASTS 13TH ANNUAL ORIGINAL PLAY FESTIVAL

Over 40 actor/readers have been cast in six new plays which will be given staged readings in Aloha Performing Arts Company's 13th annual Original Play Festival. The festival will be presented at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu Wednesday through Saturday, August 16 through 19, at 7:30 each evening.

Wednesday August 16 features an existential double bill. First, "The Waiting Room," a dramatic comedy written and directed by Ka'u resident Dick Hershberger, will be presented. This play is a series of nine sketches, all taking place in waiting rooms. Thirty four roles are played by nine actors: Anthony Agresti, Arlene Araki, Jaquelyn Collier, Bob Haber, Steve Heiman, Vickie Higginson, William LeBus, Amma Maxwell, and Jing Jing Tsong. After an intermission, "Subliminal Implications," a comic drama by well known Kona performer and educator Molly McGivern, will be presented. David A. Payne and Kestrel Bishop will direct this show, featuring three characters and their minds, which speak for themselves. Cast members are Sierra Faith, Catherine Hansen, Steve Heiman, Amber Norris, Kabir Stanton, Jing Jing Tsong, and Sam Valenti.

Thursday August 17, Robin O'Hara makes her directing debut with "A Fortnight at Tripler," a gripping drama by Oahu playwright James P. Stanton. This is an intense story of a soldier trying to adjust to and recuperate from severe injuries received in Iraq. David A. Payne plays the injured soldier, and Kestrel Bishop plays his wife. Tyler Wood plays Zach, a friend, and hospital staff members are played by Patricia 'Iolana, Shawn Nakoa, Amber Norris, and Kabir Stanton.

Friday, August 18, another double bill will be offered. First, "Bugged," a whimsical musical comedy by Kona's Eileen Weiner will be directed by Innovations Charter School instructor Sue Boyum. The show centers around Bodie, a young boy who thinks life might be better if he were a bug. He gets his wish in a fantasy musical journey with a "love conquers all" ending. Jonathan Kutsunai plays Bodie, and his real life mother, Jeanie Kutsunai, plays his onstage mother. BriAnna Johnson plays an exterminator, Ric'Anne Fowler play a tour guide, Kabir Stanton plays a gardener, Jaquelynn Collier plays a baby sitter, and various types of bugs in the fantasy are played by Lindsay Asner, Tien Austin, Sandra Burck, Jason Fowler, Jaylynne Fowler, Sara Frazier, Rachel Heiman, Eden Hershberger, Elliott Jacobson, Malia Lugo, Sage Piersel, Delaney Ross, Grant Simms, Maria Velasquez, and Erin Zagordney. After an intermission, Michael Simms makes his APAC directing debut with Hilo playwright Zena Zeller's mystery "La Cantina." Simms himself plays the phantom of a long dead Mexican general visible to only a select few people. The show takes place in a tavern in a dusty town in southern Texas, and in addition to Simms, features Anthony Agresti, Kestrel Bishop, Sue Boyum, Sierra Faith, Joel Gimpel, Dick Hershberger, and BriAnna Johnson.

Saturday August 19, offers the debut of another director, Kaz Hollinger. She is at the helm of "Madame Ruby," a romantic comedy by former Kona resident Sandra Brace, who now resides in Honolulu. This show, reminiscent of Noel Coward, features spirits, a medium, and a seance. Jan Rae plays the title role, and Catherine Hansen plays an eccentric former opera diva neighbor. Kestrel Bishop, David A. Payne, and Sam Valenti play spirits, and other supporting characters are played by Anthony Agresti, Lindsay Asner, Steve Heiman, Patricia 'Iolana, Louis Jaeger, Robin O'Hara, Sage Piersel, Janemarie Singer, Kabir Stanton, Jing Jing Tsong, and Tyler Wood.

All plays are previously unproduced and are presented as staged readings, with actors holding scripts. At the end of each evening, the audience will be encouraged to stay for a brief question and answer session with the actors, director, and in some cases, the playwright. Sunday, August 20, a wrap up celebration of the entire festival will take place at 2:30 p.m. with a catered party at Guy's Grinds, across the street from the theatre. Original Play Festival tickets are $5.00 at the door, and audience members are invited to keep their ticket stubs, which may be redeemed for a $1.00 discount on a subsequent admission. For more information, call the APAC office at 322-9924.