‘Singin’ in the Rain’ opens this Friday

The Horizon West Theater Company is back this May with its first large-scale mainstage production since the pandemic, “Singin’ in the Rain.”

The play is based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures Inc., with screenplay by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and songs by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown. 

“Singin’ in the Rain” is set in the 1920s and has all the features one would expect from a classical musical piece — splashy musical numbers, tap dancing, comedy, romance, suspense and more. 

Melissa Kratish Depot, co-founder of the theater and producer on the play, said the play is timeless in the sense that it has characters to whom everyone can relate.

“It’s just everything that you’d want from a classic night of theater,” Kratish Depot said. “You’ll be laughing, you might cry if you have a thing for romance, it just is very sweet to see come together, and it’s so special and unique, because so many people know ‘Singin’ in the Rain.’ They grew up with it, they’ve seen the movie, so to be able to see it performed on stage by your neighbors, by your community members, it’s something that can be enjoyed by just about anyone.” 

BEHIND THE SCENES

One of the most notable aspects of the company is its stable of actors.

“With us being a community theater, I think it’s important to note that these are your neighbors that are performing on stage,” Kratish Depot said. “Nobody on our cast is a professional performer; they all have day jobs. … It’s a variety of backgrounds that come together over a shared passion in arts.”

With the help of Director Leesa Williams, the production crew and 25 cast members, Kratish Depot said the production came together exceptionally quickly. In fact, the company did not know they would be producing “Singin’ in the Rain” until February and did not host auditions until the last week of March. 

“It’s definitely been a team of very hard workers, and I am so impressed with what they have been able to put together,” the producer shared. 

Stage Manager Raja Dang Jalernpan said working on “Singin’ in the Rain” has been a humbling and creatively satisfying experience.

“The collaborative efforts and artistry that this company brings to rehearsal is truly incredible, and I think patrons will agree that our production of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ will be a joyful, heartfelt and family friendly experience, exactly what the community of Horizon West needs,” Jalernpan said. 

Andrew Hill, who plays Don Lockwood in the play, said because of Horizon West’s location in Orange County, there is a uniquely high number of talented performers  the company has been able to attract.

“The level of talent and quality of performance that are in this cast is exceptional,” Hill shared. “I’ve been blown away. It’s an absolute privilege to be a part of it. The show’s exciting, funny and exactly what you want out of a night at the theater. The music and dance are iconic. It’s the kind of show where you’ll leave humming the songs and possibly swinging around a lamppost or two. It’s been a dream to be a part of, and I’m so excited for people to see it.”

SCENIC PROJECTIONS

Not only is producing the play extra special for Kratish Depot being the first one back, but also it will pilot brand-new technology for the play. 

After working at Disney for 16 years, the producer said last year she had a feeling she wanted to return more to her roots of working in the performing arts industry. 

She took a job with Broadway Media, a company that creates resources for community and school teachers globally. One of the company’s most well-known offerings is its digital scenery. 

Now, the Horizon West Theater Company will have the opportunity to utilize scenic projections for the first time ever in Singin' in the Rain. 

Scenic projections will provide every scene in the setting that’s mentioned in the show, and they are officially licensed to create script-accurate scenery.  

The theater will be the first in the world to use the product for the select play. 

“It’s really cool to have the opportunity for those two worlds to come together and be able to provide our community with this next level technically in community theaters, so I think it’s going to be a show-stopping moment for everyone,” Kratish Depot said. 

COMPANY CREATION

The company was founded in 2018 by Kratish Depot and several others who were looking to be a part of community theater in the area. 

The nonprofit’s mission is to “encourage performing artists and volunteers to create quality theater arts, participation in all aspects of theatrical production and education to enhance and connect our community.”

Kratish Depot was a theater kid growing up and went on to study hospitality management at the University of Central Florida before working for Disney. 

She moved to the Horizon West area in 2008 and said she “got the itch” to start doing more theater again. 

Kratish Depot realized there wasn’t much opportunity for community theater close by, and when she asked her friends, they told her they drove to areas such as Winter Park, downtown Orlando or Clermont to pursue their passion. 

Kratish Depot knew if she wanted community theater in Horizon West, she would have to create it.

The nonprofit community theater had its first mainstage production in October 2019, “The Music Man,” followed by “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” in January 2020. 

“It’s really just sparked by a passion for the arts and wanting to ensure that we have something that’s close to home,” Kratish Depot said.

THE CAST

Don Lockwood: Andrew Hill

Kathy Selden: Lindsey Quiggle

Cosmo Brown: Zach Walker

Lina Lamont: Hannah Marincic

Zelda Zanders: Crystal Carlisle

RF Simpson: Ricky Dominguez

Roscoe Dexter: Manny Lantigua

Production Singer: Samual Portugal

Rod: Jeffery Otto

Dora Bailey: Anna Rose Deleon Guerrero

Miss Dinsmore: Robyn Gleason

DANCERS

Rachel Aponte

Laura Davis

Cherelle Dolly

Rebecca Oslacky

Emily Rivera

Allyson Ryan

Hannah Zwemer

ENSEMBLE

Shane Grizzard

Flynn Horne

Lydia Horne 

Kylie Pandolf

Drake Shadwell

Justin Tadros

Khalia Trent

IF YOU GO

‘Singin’ in the Rain’

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, May 20; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21; 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22

TICKETS: Click here 

HORIZON WEST THEATER COMPANY

WEBSITE: Click here

EMAIL: [email protected]

ADDRESS: 13790 Bridgewater Crossings Blvd., Suite 1080, Windermere 

SPONSOR: Click here

VOLUNTEER: Click here