Superior Community Theater is ‘Singin’ in the Rain’

It’s raining laughs at United Presbyterian Church. The musical “Singin’ in the Rain” opens with a splash Thursday, featuring a windfall of music, dancing and comedy.

“It’s something you can’t miss,” said Jesse Schmitt, who plays the role of Cosmo Brown. “It’s a classic feel-good story you absolutely can’t miss.”

“There’s not a whole lot of places you can go and watch a show like this on stage,” said Sarah-Anne Kruse, who plays the role of Kathy Selden. “Here it’s people you know” performing.

The Superior Community Theater production features 10 dance routines choreographed by Megan Schmitt, numerous digital movie clips and effects, nearly a dozen costumes created by Mondie Kruse and one pivotal line, delivered by Star Strycharske in the role of Lina Lamont: “And I can’t stan’ ‘im.”

“Somebody came to me and said the greatest line in the play was ‘I can’t stand him,’” said director Wes Kruse. “And that convinced us to do the play.”

The key to bringing the big screen musical to the stage rested on three pairs of feet.

“I said I wouldn’t go into it unless I had three dancers, and three dancers came forward and made an awesome play,” Kruse said. Jesse Schmitt, Ben Robinson and Sarah-Anne Kruse stepped into the roles made famous by Donald O’Connor, Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds.

“We put a lot of feeling into it,” said Robinson, who plays Don Lockwood. “This cast got real close real fast.”

The movie is a favorite for many of the cast. They are hoping the audience will feel the same nostalgia.

“I think they’re going to fall in love with it all over again,” said Sarah-Anne Kruse.

Everyone had a favorite musical number, ranging from the antics of “Make ‘Em Laugh” and “Moses Supposes” to the slinky routine in the middle of “Gotta Dance” and the gentle beauty of the title song.

The live version offers a few new nuggets of theater gold audiences won’t find in the movie, including Lina Lamont’s musical lament, “What’s Wrong With Me?” sung by Strycharske.

“Singin’ in the Rain” offers an opportunity to many of the cast.

“Most of them, this is the first time they’ve had the major roles,” Wes Kruse said. “They’ve always been sidekicks or they’ve always been the supporting roles … It’s just exciting to watch these people just bloom forward and take the lead.”

The cast became close quickly, Robinson said, and truly formed a family bond.

“The performance is great. You love to sing, you love to dance,” he said. “But it’s the friendships you make along the way, they’re the best things you take out of this experience.”

Fire code issues ousted Superior Community Theater from its former home at Marlee’s Caribbean Restaurant, according to Wes Kruse, and the church was very kind to provide the group a place out of the weather to practice and perform.

“We need a home,” Wes Kruse said, but “We’ll keep acting on the street if we don’t have a home.”

The director said he loves the process of getting everyone to work together to create a show. This one, cast members said, will tickle the audience’s funny bone.

“If you just want to feel good, this is the feel-good play to come to,” Wes Kruse said. “A lot of singing, a lot of dancing, a lot of humor. And it’s just something that’s going to make you feel good.”

Shows begin at 7 p.m. March 22-24 and 29-31 with special 2 p.m. matinee performances on March 25 and April 1 at the church, 229 N. 28th St. E.

Audience members can enjoy dinner with their show on March 24 and April 1. The Philly steak dinner will be served prior to the show at 5:30 p.m. March 24 and 12:30 p.m. April 1. Or they can opt to enjoy a dessert show this Thursday or March 30. Dessert will follow the performance on those nights.

Ticket prices are $8 for all regular and matinee performances, $18 for dinner and a show or $11 for a dessert show. For reservations, call (218) 393-0148.

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