St. Charles Residents Among Stars of 'Singin' in the Rain'

Just three chances remain to see the beloved movie classic Singin’ in the Rain come to life. And that includes an indoor thunderstorm!

Fox Valley Theatre Company’s production of the classic American musical Singin’ in the Rain transports audiences back to one of America’s great gilded age: Hollywood at the end of the silent film era. The final three performances are at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 and 14, and 3 p.m. Sept. 15. All performances are in the Blizzard Theatre at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Building H, Elgin. Free parking is available next to the theatre.

To order tickets, go online at http://elgin.edu/vpacevents.aspx, call 847-622-0300, or stop by the Blizzard Theatre Box Office from noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday or noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Ticket prices are $12 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and $10 for students and children. The Blizzard Theatre is wheelchair accessible. More information about Singin’ in the Rain can be found online at www.cteelgin.com.

The show, set in the Roaring ‘20s at the end of the silent film era, stars handsome Hollywood stars Don Lockwood (Michael Sherry, St. Charles) and Lina Lamont (Sara Monteleone, St. Charles), the toast of Tinseltown. But sound technology was changing the way movies were made; could their careers survive the transition to “talking pictures?” Other actors include Mikey Jakubowski of Hamprshire as Cosmo and Jessica Blakely, St. Charles, as Kathy. Andy Bero directs and Chris Cherry is music and vocal director. Andrea Leitner is choreographer and Emma Olson is assistant director.

 Singin’ in the Rain transports the audience back to that world, with careers and fortunes changing, and sometimes crashing. The American Film Institute ranks the film, which starred Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds, the No. 1 movie musical of all time. It’s a a story of hope, resilience and the power of friendship and love that sustains people through tough times. Its hit parade of songs includes “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Make ‘Em Laugh” and “Good Morning,” among others.

Fox Valley Theatre Company is an affiliate of Children’s Theatre of Elgin. The company is a 501(c)(3) Illinois not-for-profit corporation in-residence at the Elgin Community College Arts Center. The organization is sponsored in part by the Illinois Arts Council and the Grand Victoria Foundation.