Gold Rush Melodrama At New Shreve Theater

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Considered by many to be the oldest drama troupe in the country, the Lanikai Mortgage Players will present their fall play in the newest theater venue west of Molokai Nov. 13-22.

The curtain goes up on Who Scuttled the Schooner? or ... Captain Ahab Sails Again! at 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the Lanikai Community Center. It has suffragettes on the war path and all the excitement one could ask for in San Francisco’s Last Chance Saloon during Gold Rush times.

The melodrama comes with an olio by Ted Rodgers, free popcorn, plus pupus and cocktails for sale. Tickets are $7 at the door or by calling 262-5482.

Brenda-Lee Hillebrenner makes her debut as director in the Nelson and Lucille Shreve Theater. The late Nelson Shreve was a prolific playwright who also wrote this fall’s melodrama and many others over the years in collaboration with his wife.

“It’s quite a colorful cast of characters, and I was surprised, honored and grateful to be asked to direct it,” said Hillebrenner, a veteran actress of Oahu stages. Lucille Shreve, 91, has stepped back into the assistant director role, but Hillebrenner considers her “my Yoda.”

The venue was dark last spring while Lanikai Association made major improvements to the pavilion and community center, including new lights, risers and a lighting board donated by Lucille Shreve.

Cast members include Courtney Doyle, Keith Merriam, Carol Nichols, Jim Duca, Bill McRoberts, Lew Lappert, Roger Tansley, Bronsey Kugle, Tasha Elam, Sokchea Eng and Wanda Dove. Costumer is Eunice DeHay.

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