‘Singin’ in the Rain’ at Elgin High School
“Singin’ in the Rain” is one of those musicals just about everybody has heard of. Who can forget the iconic scene from the 1952 movie with Gene Kelly tapping and dancing as he twirls an umbrella?
This week, Elgin High School students will bring the classic musical to the stage. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-25, at 1200 Maroon Drive. Tickets are adutls $8, students $6.
The Daily Herald asked director Jaclyn Offord to answer a few questions about the production.
Q. Why did you choose “Singin’ in the Rain” for your spring musical?
Offord. I chose “Singin’ In the Rain” because it is one of my all-time favorite movies. I love the characters and the great selection of music.
Q. How many students are in the cast? How difficult was this show to cast?
Offord. There are 40 students in the cast. It’s always a fun process to cast. You just have to know what you are looking for. There are so many people in the cast of this show that it was nice that most of the cast got a line or two.
Q. What have been the biggest challenges in putting together this show?
Offord. The biggest challenge for this show has to be the quick pace of scenery changes. As an audience member you are constantly changing venue. We had to be creative about how to stage each scene. We also had to think ahead in how we wanted to do the “movie” scenes that are in the show.
The other challenge was that all most all of the students have never tapped, or had formal dance classes. They really worked hard to learn the steps to all the choreography. I am truly proud of them.
Q. What has surprised you the most in directing this show?
Offord. The thing that most surprised me about this show was how much I love the music. Normally at this point in a rehearsal process you have at least one song that you are getting over hearing, but the songs are so contagious that I really can’t get enough of them.
The kids have also really taken to making the show come to life. I guess the cast always surprises me in the end.
Q. Do you have anything special planned for the show? What do you think audiences will like the best?
Offord. This year we have a few special effects for the show. We do have mini-movies within the show itself. Also the best part of it all — rain! It will rain!
This show is by far one the best movie musicals and I am so glad I got to put it on stage.
If you go
What: Elgin High Schools production of Singin in the Rain
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-25
Where: Elgin High School, 1200 Maroon Drive
Cost: $6 for students, $8 for adults
Details: Call (847) 888-5100