Kaua‘i students to channel Agatha Christie in mystery ‘And Then There Were None’

On Friday night, murder will out – but not until several bodies hit the floor, in the Kaua‘i Performing Arts Center’s latest production, “And Then There Were None.”

The stage play, based on legendary crime novelist Agatha Christie’s 1939 mystery of the same name, will run Dec. 13 through 15 at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Līhu‘e.

“It is such a good story,” said actor Lilly Alonge, a junior at Waimea High School. “There’s something so consistent with this story … People want to keep coming back.”

Alonge noted the influence of Christie’s novel on multiple popular films, including the “Knives Out” and “Glass Onion” mysteries released on Netflix, which feature ensemble casts of colorful suspects in exotic settings.

“And Then There Were None” sees several strangers gather on an isolated island off the coast of southwest England. The guests realize each has been lured under false pretenses, yet a storm prevents their escape from the island’s mansion. Soon, a murderer inspired by a nursery rhyme begins to bump them off one by one.

Alonge plays Philip Lombard, a former military man who may be in love with the story’s protagonist, Vera Claythorne. Until now, Alonge has only performed in musicals.

“It’s very hard to go from singing happy songs to accusing other people of murder,” she said.

Aysha Lee Phepe, an eighth grader in the Kanu o ka ‘Āina charter school’s Ka ʻOhā program, will make her stage debut Friday. She joined the Kaua‘i Performing Arts Center after attending its last production, the musical “Anastasia,” in April.

Phepe plays the island mansion’s housemaid, Ethel Rodgers, who harbors a dark secret.

“I’m so excited to play her, because I like her personality,” she said. “She can be sassy.”

In addition to 11 cast members, “And Then There Were None” has a backstage crew of six students.

The Kaua‘i Performing Arts Center is one of 29 Hawai‘i State Department of Education Student Learning Centers located throughout the state.

Each center is organized around a single focus area, such as agriculture, business, performing arts and science, technology, engineering and math.

Middle and high school students from any public or charter school on Kaua‘i may join the Kaua‘i Performing Arts Center program, which puts on two stage shows per year, for elective credit.

Kaua‘i High School sophomore No‘eau Brede on Friday will make his own stage debut as Thomas Rodgers, a butler, in the play he calls dark and gloomy.

“It’s a classic in the mystery genre,” Brede said.

“And Then There Were None” will premiere at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall at 4191 Hardy Street in Līhu‘e. Additional performances are scheduled for Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online or at the door. The play is approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, including intermission.

For more information about the Kaua‘i Performing Arts Center and to purchase tickets, visit kauaiperformingarts.org.