Actors find friendship, unity in sharing roles

In the book of Ruth, mother-in-law Naomi and daughter-in-law Ruth share an incredible bond built on love, loyalty and faithfulness to God that helps push them through some very serious and difficult moments in life.

As the theatrical musical performance of “Ruth,” an original Sight & Sound Theatres production, continues to elate audiences at Ohio Star Theater, the two key players in the presentation — Annie Heartney, who plays Ruth, and Kyle Miller, who portrays Naomi — share their own unique bond of friendship.

Very much like their biblical counterparts, the two of them have grown much closer through their time presenting the story of “Ruth” on stage, and being so close to the very heart of what Ruth and Naomi were sharing along their journey has made an imprint on both of their hearts.

“Kyle and I are very good friends, and I’m shocked out how close we’ve gotten over the couple of months we’ve gotten to know one another through this process,” Heartney said. “We have a lot in common, from music tastes, to interpersonal beliefs, to our personalities and family lives. Being that comfortable and familiar with a person is so helpful when they’re your scene partner for so much of the show.”

“We do draw a lot from our own experiences, as do many people from the cast, and it’s very empowering and heartwarming to share this incredible story and the message that we can all be used for God’s purpose,” Miller said. “The relationship between Naomi and Ruth is so sweet and powerful at the same time, and going through the experience with Annie has been empowering for both of us. Naomi and Ruth’s relationship is so compelling that it has helped us grow in our own personal relationship as friends.”

Miller said when two actors spend that much time on stage together, sharing so much emotion in both practice and during live performances, it is only natural for that to spill over into real life.

The two have talked in-depth about the journey of their characters, exploring what they went through and how they overcame the sorrow and challenges of devastating loss.

“It’s powerful for two really close girlfriends in life to be able to portray such a powerful feminist duo on stage,” Heartney said.

Heartney, who hails from St. Louis, said she got bit by the theater bug early on in life and knew she wanted to be around that lifestyle. She earned a degree from Arizona State University and has found plenty of work on stage, as well as performing as an opera singer.

She said portraying the raw passion and emotion of Ruth is something she cherishes.

“I love the really poignant, tearful roles in theater,” Heartney said. “Ruth is an incredibly fulfilling role, and this has been such a journey for me personally.”

Heartney was only slightly familiar with the story of Ruth and Naomi before landing the role and said she poured herself into it, knowing her ability to portray Ruth’s loyalty and compassion would be something that ignited audiences and drew them deeper into the story.

The biblical story became her biggest source material and helped her grow into the role of Ruth.

“Everything is about detail, every moment on stage,” Heartney said. “That relationship between the two women is the heart of Ruth, and we knew that portraying their relationship on stage and properly portraying their love and dedication to one another was central to the success of the musical.”

Miller, who hails from Florida, was excited to capture the role of Naomi, who she said has always been one of her favorite characters from the Bible.

Growing up in a family where Christian faith was central, she was more than ready to tackle the complex role of Naomi, who faces a plethora of emotions, from elation to being heartbroken and having her faith tested at every turn.

“The story is so moving,” Miller said. “I think being so close to Annie really helps us portray all of the emotions that accompany the story. Hopefully, the audiences will appreciate that relationship and sense the incredible raw emotion that the story of Ruth presents. We hope people leave the theater having been moved by the story, especially right now when our world needs to hear more stories about love, happiness and acceptance.”

“Ruth” will continue its playbill at Ohio Star Theater through Nov. 9. For more information or to order tickets, visit www.OhioStarTheater.com.