Theatre channels economic feelings of today in 1930s era show
With a tip of the hat, or rather, the clink of a tap shoe, Rising Star Theatreworks plans to pay homage to the colorful musical traditions of the 1930s in its production of "42nd Street" at the Arcada Theatre.
"42nd Street" will feature authentic 1930s tap dancing as well as traditional costumes and hairstyles at the historic Arcada, located at 105 E. Main St. in St. Charles. For show director Jeanne O'Donnell, "42nd Street" will serve to somewhat resuscitate the tap dancing show genre. O'Donnell says it was somewhat difficult to find a choreographer for the show and fears that tap dancing is slowly becoming what she refers to as "a lost art."
"42nd Street" was chosen by Rising Star Theatreworks, which was co-founded by O'Donnell in 2003, because of the resemblance the Great Depression-era show bears to today's economic times. O'Donnell liked the sense of optimism that "42nd Street" has and thought that spirit, combined with light hearted song and dancing, would be ideal.
"You can't not be happy when you're watching tap," O'Donnell said. "This is not the time for heavy shows and we wanted the audience to get a laugh, be happy and not worry about things."
The cast, composed of 21 teens from the surrounding area, has been working for the past two months in rehearsals to create this atmosphere.
This year the performance will also feature a "Special Night for Special Friends" performance for people with special needs or disabilities. This performance will be held at 7 p.m. today. It is free of charge for those who are eligible to attend and is actually the final dress rehearsal.
Tickets for the "Special Night for Special Friends" performance can be reserved by calling Nancy E. Hansen at (630) 845-9165.
Having a special performance like this makes theater performances more easily accessible to everyone, something that is very important to Rising Star.
"We really want everybody to experience live theater. It's different from movies and video games and (people with special needs) are often not able to experience real live theater," O'Donnell said.
"Our whole goal is to have theater be part of everyone's everyday life."
"42nd Street" will hold performances open to the general public at the Arcada at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27; and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 28. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors and can be purchased at 42tix.com or by visiting the Arcada box office from 8 to 9 p.m. today.
Cast of '42nd Street'
Aurora: Abbey Beardsley
Batavia: Peter DeJongh, Stuart Kofron, Maddie Mueller, Tyler Spitz
Geneva: Kelly Barabasz, Annelise Ehrhardt, Grant Leagan, Emma Olson, Miranda Orlando, Hannah Rogers, Crystal Skipworth, Allison Slattery, Steven Sledzinski
Genoa: Wade Tischhauser
St. Charles: Evan Michalic, Taylor Sherry, Emery Tower, Katie Willadsen
Sugar Grove: Jake Rosko
Wayne: Julia Murphy
<p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>What:</b> Rising Star Theatreworks' production of "42nd Street," a tap-dancing celebration of 1930's Broadway. </p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>When:</b> 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27; 2 p.m. Sunday, June 28</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>Where: </b>The Arcada Theater at 105 E. Main St. in St. Charles. </p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>Cost:</b> $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at 42tix.com or at the Arcada box office from 8 to 9 p.m. today.</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>Special needs:</b> A "Special Night for Special Friends" performance at 7 p.m. today is free of charge to people with special needs; for tickets, call Nancy Hansen at (630) 845-9165.</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>Details:</b> Call (630) 262-5027 or email <a href="mailto:info@risingstartheatre.org">info@risingstartheatre.org</a>. </p>