SAFYPT: “Singing in the Rain,” 1/29 & 1/30!

22 Jan SAFYPT: “Singing in the Rain,” 1/29 & 1/30!

Telluride’s Sheridan Arts Foundation’ Young People’s Theater began its 22nd season with the holiday classic favorite, “A Christmas Carol.” The second of the three middle school winter productions is “Singin’ In The Rain.” That blockbuster comes to life at the historic Sheridan Opera House on Friday, January 29 and Saturday, January 30, 2021. Tickets are on sale now.

Tickets are $25 for all ages, including lap children, who are no longer free. The Opera House is still operating at only 25% capacity due to state orders so every person who enters the venue must have a paid ticket. Tickets are sold in groups of 2, 3, 4, or 6 pods and must be purchased as a full pod, no individual tickets.

New this season, since tickets are so limited, families can also stream the recorded show for a $10 donation. The show will be available to stream from home the week after the performances. Tickets on sale at www.sheridanoperahouse.com.

Young People’s Theater Artistic Director Leah Heidenreich directs a small cast of actors in grades 6-8 in the “Greatest Movie Musical of All Time.”

Faithfully and lovingly adapted by Broadway legends Betty Comden and Adolph Green from their original award-winning screenplay of “Singin’ In The Rain,” each unforgettable scene, song and dance is accounted for, including the show-stopping title number. Hilarious situations, snappy dialogue and a hit-parade score of Hollywood standards make “Singin’ In The Rain” the perfect entertainment for any fan of the Golden Age of movie musicals.

“’Singin’ In The Rain’ is truly one of the most perfectly written musicals of all time. The story is timeless, the music is brilliant, and the characters are some of the most iconic roles ever written. With how difficult this year has been, the light-hearted silliness of ‘Singin’ In The Rain’ is exactly the content everyone needs. This particular cast has worked so hard and have brought so much magic to the stage,” said Heidenreich.

Cast of characters:

R.F. Simpson: Elijah Aumiller
Kathy Selden: Grace Aumiller
Zelda/Ensemble: Zoe Hampton
Don Lockwood: Hugh Hatcher
Lina Lamont: Eva Henschel
Policeman/Ensemble: Belle McTigue
Dexter/Ensemble: Alyssa Neumann
Sam/Ensemble: Sonja Rikkers
Cosmo Brown: Zander Sante
Dora Bailey/Miss Dinsmore/Broadway Melody Host/Ensemble: Keelie Wayland

Heidenreich is joined in this production  by Dean Rolley on sound design; Tommy Wince on light design; Buff Hooper on set design; and Traci Baize on costume design.

Heidenreich normally directs a single middle school production with 25-30 children, but COVID-19 forced her to restructure the program. She has simultaneously been directing three full-length musicals with 10 children each so as to abide by county and state COVID-19 restrictions. “A Christmas Carol” kicked off the fun this past weekend and “Annie” concludes the trio of musicals on Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20, 2021.

Heidenreich will soon start rehearsals on her two high school plays, “Cinderella” and “Tuck Everlasting,” which replace the normal single high school play scheduled for the end of January. The show(s) must go on!

“I have been amazed by the grit and passion the kids have displayed these past few months. I selected three very big shows that are never done with fewer than 25 cast members; each cast has risen to the occasion and created a magical show. It’s incredible what kids are able to accomplish. I don’t know that grown-ups would’ve been able to pull of such a difficult feat!,” explained Heidenreich.