Songs, dancing fills the stage production of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ at theater

by Richard Lamb, Advance Editor

Fit as a fiddle and ready to go, the second weekend of ?Singin? in the Rain? is set for another weekend of entertainment. With help of ?rain magicians? Mike Marx and Ed Perrault, rain did fall on the stage of the Rogers City Theater, as planned for the title song from the show. Tap dancing through the rain, Morgan Suszek, a familiar person on the local and regional stages, brought the title song to life as the audience roared its approval while the ?rain? fell. How the rain falls is through a bit of stage wizardry through a design by Karl W. Heidemman, also the director of the production.

The show continues Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Nearly 500 people saw the play in its first weekend on the stage. 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 (Suszek), his sidekick Cosmo Brown, portrayed by Mike Marx, aspiring actress Kathy Selden, playe

d by Heather Nordenbrock, and Lockwood?s leading lady Lina Lamont, played by Nicole Grulke. Lamont?s less than pleasant vocal tones make her an unlikely candidate for stardom in talking pictures, which creates the conflict.

The play features several familiar songs and great dance numbers. 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 Shirely and Laura Winkel.

Donna Klein is the producer of the production. Lisa Rhea serves as the assistant director as well as the music director and stage manager and Suszek is the choreographer. Val Schalk, Mary Hazlett and Bernice Kelly take care of the costumes, Bill Halsey runs the sound board while Bob Starnes runs lights and Katie Gabara operates the spotlight. Tickets for the show are available at the theater box office, the Advance office and the Rogers City Area Chamber of Commerce.