You know, someone once told Don Lockwood “If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen ‘em all,” but it wasn’t true in 1952’s ‘Singin’ in the Rain,’ and it isn’t true of the Triumvirate Theatre’s rendition of the classic film.
Performances started this past weekend, but the show continues on Jan. 26 and 27 with showings at 7 p.m. The musical, directed by Joseph and Jayton Rizzo, is put on by the Triumvirate Theatre and Class Act, a drama troupe of students in seventh through twelfth grade.
“‘Singin’ in the Rain’ is just one of those classical musicals… It’s a movie that all these kids really love, so they’re very excited to do the show,” said Hannah Tauriainen, who is assisting in the production and was once a member of Class Act herself.
“I was in it when I was in high school, so I’ve come full circle,” she said. “It’s a really cool program and some of these kids were in middle school when I was in the troupe in high school, so it’s really cool.”
The program brings together 20 talented kids from throughout the school district to create quality performances. The kids have the opportunity to receive a great arts education and to receive a scholarship for college. Half of all the proceeds from every show goes into an interest-building fund to be used by qualified members of the troupe when they graduate from high school.
“Their share of what they’ve earned while in the troupe is awarded to them in the form of a scholarship,” according the the Triumvirate’s website.
Tickets for ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ are available online and cost between $17 and $35.
“I grew up on the film,” said Sydney Steadman, a seventh grader at Skyview Middle School. “I just love the romance and I love the music.”
Steadman explained that the troupe modified the original to fit their needs, such as making one of the main characters a female. She has been with the troupe since August and said that the opportunity to explore the classics has really helped her “break out of the box.”
“I just auditioned last year,” Steadman said. “It’s my favorite thing in the whole world. I get to be with people I love and I get to be acting on the stage. I’m a more shy person, so it’s fun to break that role and act.”
The troupe practiced every day in anticipation of their opening night on Jan. 19, but all seemed to agree that it was more fun than work.
“You get to live in all of these movies and shows, you get to live them and enjoy them,” said Emylee Wilson, an eighth-grader at Skyview Elementary. “There might be some hills and stress, but at the end it’s so heartwarming that people come see our show and love what we do. It’s so encouraging and a rush of energy.”
The show will continue with two more showings at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Triumvirate Theatre at 42715 Kenai Spur Hwy in Kenai.
Reach Kat Sorensen at kat.sorensen@peninsulaclarion.com
