Star Theatre to present 'Singing in the Rain'

UPPER SANDUSKY — The Star Theatre is to present "Singing in the Rain this weekend. Performance dates are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Under the direction of Scott Persinger, members of the cast include Samuel Haines as Don Lockwood; Hailie Crowder as Kathy Selden; Darren Sites as Cosmo Brown, Trish McClellan as Lina Lamont; Matt Vanderpool as R.F. Simpson; Andrew Stauffer as Roscoe Dexter; Diane Grossman as Dora Bailey; Drew McClellan as Rod; Connor Swartz as policeman/Phillips; Kristina Rowe as Zelda Sanders, Abi Smith as Miss Dinsmore and Wayne Rowe as the beautiful girl soloist. Chorus members include Kristina Rowe, Abi Smith, Cassie Hoy, Greer Kraus, Drew McClellan, Mollie Smith and Lori Wygal. The stage version of "Singin' in the Rain" captures the waning days of the silent screen era as it gives way to newfangled talkies. With "The Jazz Singer" premiere making Hollywood frantic, the studios are forced to suddenly change all the movie-making rules at once to accommodate sound. In doing so, they leave some of their silent picture stars behind. When Monumental Studios turns the silent "The Dueling Cavalier" into "The Dancing Cavalier," a musical, in order to stay relevant, they are faced with the fact that their star, Lina Lamont, can't sing and can't even really talk. Songs from the show include "Good Mornin'" "Make 'em Laugh" and the show-stopping dance number, "Singin' in the Rain." Steve Weber serves as music director, Brena Turner is the assistant director/stage manager and Angela Massara is the choreographer. The production assistant and pit conductor is Payton Luikart. To purchase tickets, call 419-294-1411 for reservations in advance.