Quote of the Day: A few lines from the classic dancing musical Singin’ in the Rain.
“People?” I ain’t “people.” I am a “a shimmering, glowing star in the cinema firmament. Lina Lamont
If we bring a little joy into your humdrum lives, it makes us feel as though our hard work ain’t been in vain for nothin’. Bless you all. Lina Lamont
Cast of Singin’ in the Rain, Community theatre production in Pequot Lakes, MN.
Promotion photo on the Brainerd Dispatch.
That second quote sums up what community theatre is all about. It is building community, the coming together. The cast and crew get to step out of their normal, humdrum lives for a few weeks. They got plenty of exercise doing this show with all the dancing. Great job! The people in the community get to leave their houses, and same old reruns on TV, on cold nights to watch friends, neighbors and relatives kick up their heels and entertain us for a few hours.
According to this article printed in the Brainerd Dispatch about Greater Lakes Area Performing Arts (GLAPA), many of the actors had never tap danced before. Wendy DeGeest, the choreographer, held some tap dance classes before auditions, so people could learn a little ahead of time. My sister Joy was in the production, and she said that they worked very hard to learn the steps. Their costumes are stunning. The chorus in particular has many costume changes, and they are all adorable. Well, maybe the one where they’re construction builders during the song “Make’em Laugh” isn’t exactly “adorable,” but it did make us laugh!
Joy Ciaffoni, chorus girl extraordinaire.
Although it is one of the best known and loved movie musicals of all time, you don’t often see it performed in community theater. It is a challenging show. The actors need to be good dancers, or work really hard at it during rehearsals. The musical score is difficult. You can’t really pull it off with just a handful of rehearsals and young musicians. The set is beautiful, and they have many big numbers. You need an accommodating stage, and lots of stage hands! In this production, director Gary Hirsch hired a local film maker to film a few black and white scenes that are projected during the show. The story is set in Hollywood in the late 1920’s when film is switching from the silent film to talkies. (Did anyone see the 2011 Oscar winning film The Artist? Also, a great show that depicts that transition.) The black & white film projection was one of my favorite parts of GLAPA’s production. And, of course, watching my sister perform is a highlight. She is in her element in the role of a dancer.
Singin’ in the Rain is showing again this weekend in Pequot Lakes, MN. Go to the GLAPA website for tickets and showtimes. You might just want to enroll in some tap dancing classes after you see this show!
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: Are you a dancer? What gets your toes tapping? Have you seen “Singin’ in the Rain” or “The Artist?” What did you think of the show?
I saw it performed once on a community level, and it was excellent. Of course, they had 3 Universities to draw from and a whole community of musically focused people, so it would be awesome.
Unleashing the Dreamworld
Oh, wow. That does sound great. It can be done. And, the music is fun to hear, the dancing wonderful to watch.
What fun. Would have loved to have been there. Love plays. Love musicals.
Thanks, Teresa. It is fun. Even more so when you know someone performing in it.