PUHI — It’s Christmas and a family feud is spinning wildly out of control. This could be the plot of any holiday film, but Kaua‘i Community Players adds a bit of Southern comfort with its production of “Christmas Belles,” which
PUHI — It’s Christmas and a family feud is spinning wildly out of control. This could be the plot of any holiday film, but Kaua‘i Community Players adds a bit of Southern comfort with its production of “Christmas Belles,” which runs from Dec. 1 to Dec. 18 at the Puhi Theatrical Warehouse.
The mostly female cast is full of big hair, big voices and bigger laughs as audience members experience the misadventures of the squabbling Futrelle sisters of Fayro, Texas (population 3,003). The three are working to put on the Tabernacle of the Lamb’s annual Christmas pageant, renamed Bethlehem-a-palooza, but the sisters aren’t in a festive mood.
Frankie’s (Shauna Griffin) twins are overdue, Twink (Dottie Bekeart) is in jail after inadvertently setting half the town on fire and Honey Rae (Nellie Foster) is losing cast members left and right due to a bout of food poisoning.
Somewhere between the hot flashes and passing a kidney stone, Frankie accidentally lets loose a carefully-guarded family secret.
“There’s a lot of craziness, but there’s still the Christmas aspect to it, so there is a little bit of sweetness,” Jennifer Downs said, who is making her KCP directorial debut. “For the most part, people are going to laugh. It’s a good show.”
The cast is a mix of seasoned actors and first-timers who draw out some big laughs.
There are several places where individual cast members shine in their solo acting spots.
One of the best is Faith Harding as society queen bee Patsy Price attempting a reading from the Gospel of Luke.
Honey Rae delivers some of the most memorable lines of the play, while Twink manages to make an orange jumpsuit one of the most fashionable outfits on stage. Gina Jo Dubberly’ (Rebecca Hanson) tales of her high-octane career as a cow inseminator adds to her innocent charm.
Other cast members of note is Bailey Hutton as Raynerd Chisum, Wil Welsh as Dub Dubberly, Jo Grande as Rhonda Lynn Lampley, Candace Kepley as Geneva Musgrave, Billy Quebido as Justin Waverly and Mike Horning as John Curtis.
“Christmas Belles” is the second play in a trilogy by playwrights Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten.
KCP produced the first play in the series, “Dearly Beloved” last spring.
“When we did the first show in the trilogy, ‘Dearly Beloved,’ all of us in the cast said we should do the next show because it would be so much fun,” said Downs. “It’s nice, because we only have a couple people who are reprising roles, so it’s neat to see different people’s takes on the characters.”
The third play in the trilogy, “Southern Hospitality” will be produced by KCP in the future.
“They’re great, because the plays stand on their own,” Downs said. “You don’t have to see the first one to appreciate this one, but if you did see the first scene, you will catch a few things.”
Visit www.kauaicommunityplayers.org for more information or call 800-838-3006 for reservations.
Want to visit Fayro, Texas (population 3,003)?
What: “Christmas Belles”
When: Dec. 1 through Dec. 18. Performances are 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Puhi Theatrical Warehouse
Cost: $20 in advance, $22 at the door. Discounts for students, seniors and KCP members. $5 off during opening weekend. Pay what you can Dec. 11, minimum donation $5.
