?Singin? in the Rain? hits stage at Rogers City Theater

by Angie Asam, Staff Writer

Friday marks the start of the 2011 season for the Rogers City Community Theatre as ?Singin? in the Rain? hits the stage. Directed by Karl W. Heidemann the show opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. Shows will also be held Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. as well as March 11-13 at the same show times. The Broadway extravaganza was written as a tribute to the beloved movie, which was a tribute to the early days of Hollywood as it transitioned from silent films to talking films. Set in Hollywood the production focuses on romantic lead Don Lockwood, his sidekick Cosmo Brown, aspiring actress Kathy Selden and Lockwood?s leading lady Lina Lamont whose less than pleasant vocal tones make her an unlikely candidate for stardom in talking pictures.

?This is surely the most technically challenging show we have attempted to date, but the hard work and persistence of the cast and technical crew has really paid off. Big time!,? said Heidemann. Cast members had to learn to tap dance, the high-energy big production numbers needed to be coordinated, cast members had to learn vaudeville

comedy routines, film scenes were made to play on the big screen at the theater during the play, time period costumes for the cast of 22 were created and last but not least, finding a way to make it rain onstage. ?Thanks to the talented cast and creative technical crew, all of these challenges have been met head on. The result will be an unforgettable evening of entertainment,? said Heidemann.

The cast features many familiar faces along with several new faces as Morgan Suszek (Don Lockwood), Mike Marx (Cosmo Brown), Heather Nordenbrock (Kathy Selden) and Nicole Grulke (Lina Lamont) play the lead roles.

Other cast members are Luke Augsburger, Robert Centala, David Crull, Kelly Crull, Wesley Eagleson, Brittany Getzmeyer, Bradley Heidemann, Charlotte Heidemann, Elaine Heidemann, Abbey Idalski, Alison Marx, Dave Miller, Eugene Modrzynski, Denise Perrault, Edward Perrault, Andrea Shadbolt, Ronald Shirley and Laura Winkel. Lisa Rhea serves as the assistant director as well as the music director and stage manager. Morgan Suszek is the choreographer. Val Schalk, Mary Hazlett and Bernice Kelly take care of the costumes, Bill Halsey is running sound while Bob Starnes runs lights and Katie Gabara operates the spotlight. Bill and Sally Halsey, Riconda Lamb, Ron Shirley, Ed Perrault, Mike Marx and Justin Karsten have worked on set construction and painting. Tickets for the show are on sale and are available at the theater box office, the Advance office and the Rogers City Area Chamber of Commerce.