Chris Jaymes stars in Kailua Onstage Arts’ production of “Constellations”

Chris Jaymes, who moved to Hawaii last year when his fiancée got a job with the CBS series “Magnum, PI,” has an impressive resume spanning a wide range of contemporary performing arts.

In the three decades since his first television role, Jaymes has gained recognition as a television and film actor, director, writer, producer and editor. In 1994, he toured with 1950s rock ‘n’ roll Wanda Jackson, then directed William Shatner in the 2010 satirical comedy “Making a Scene.”

Jaymes appeared in ABC’s hit drama “Lost” in 2009, and earlier this year had a major role in an episode of “Magnum, PI.” Both shows were filmed on Oahu.

Local live theater fans can now see Jaymes, 48, on stage with Eden Lee Murray in the Kailua Onstage Arts production of British playwright Nick Payne’s contemporary drama ‘Constellations’.

The play, which debuted this weekend, follows the romantic relationship of Roland, a beekeeper (played by Jaymes) and Marianne, a physicist, who believes there are multiple universes with an infinite set of infinitely different futures. . “Constellations” runs until July 3. For tickets or more information, go to koatheater.com.

Theater is a huge time commitment. What made “Constellations” appealing to you?

Kevin (Keaveney, founder of KOA) introduced him to me. I read it, and it was absolutely crazy. The structure seems so impossible and difficult and confusing and irregular. It’s something that makes you say, “Oh, how would I do that? And could I even figure out how to do it right? It’s always a good start. And it’s smart and very well written.

You have huge credits in film and television, and in online content development. What is the place of acting for you?

I haven’t had the luxury of doing a play in about 15 years. The difference between getting to do that, versus being (a movie) actor and all the things I’ve done, is night and day. If you’re in a TV show or a movie — unless you’re in the #1 or 2 cast positions and are part of the process — you show up and hit your mark and step out of the way. It’s like a training camp. Becoming an actor again is both a dream and a punishment.

I discovered what I call the “modern William Shatner” through his music videos with Brad Paisley. How should he work?

I had to shoot 35 pages of the script with him in one day, which is usually the equivalent of three to five days, and everyone told me that he didn’t like to do a lot of takes and that he didn’t didn’t stay late. He arrived late and he called me into his dressing room and he started showing me (the script): “Page 1, I have an idea for that. Page 2, I have an idea for that. Page 3, I have an idea for that. I finally said, “Bill, you’ve been doing this longer than I have. I trust you and you don’t have to burden me. I know you are going to make the right decision. Let’s go.” We did the first shot and the first take and he did it perfectly. I said, “OK, great cut. Let’s move on. The producers turned to me and said, “Don’t you want one more take just for backup?” I said, “That was perfect. It’s not going to get better. Shatner said, “I like him,” and for the rest of the day he was on my team.

Do you have any favorite memories of working with Wanda Jackson? His recording of “Let’s Have a Party” is a 50s rock ‘n’ roll classic.

I was 20 years old. I had been in music school for a while and my neighbor was in a band I was playing with, Royal Crown Revue, and she needed a pianist for a tour. Wanda was super nice. The highlight was probably one night halfway through the tour. She came over and she took my hand and put a ring on it and she said, ‘Elvis gave me this when we went out together’, and she wanted me to wear it for the show that night.

Do you have a “next” you are working on?

I have a few projects that are in various stages of development, and my fiancée, Jessica Elbaum, is the head of the hair department for “Magnum,” so we’re waiting to see if it’ll be saved and if she’ll still have a spot on the show. And I know I’m going to have a shave party because Jess is so sick of me having this mustache.