NewsPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Christmas in Chicago With Singin' in the Rain Star Melissa Van Der SchyffDrama Desk Award nominee Melissa Van Der Schyff (Bonnie & Clyde) is spending her winter in the Chicago area, starring as silent film star Lina Lamont in Drury Lane Theatre's production of Singin' in the Rain. She offers a glimpse backstage and invites readers along as she discovers the many wonders the city has to offer.
By
Matthew Blank
December 26, 2012
"As a tot in Northern Canada, my mom and I used to watch movie musicals, dreaming ourselves inside them, to escape the cabin fever that often accompanies below freezing temperatures," Van Der Schyff told Playbill.com. "This holiday season I have the luxury of living out that dream in the stage version of one of the most popular movie musicals of all time. It has been a joy to pay homage to the Magic of the Movies while finding my own interpretation of the comically tragic Lina Lamont."
"Producer Kyle De Santis, Artistic Director Bill Osetek and Director Bill Jenkins are some of the warmest and most generous folks you could ever hope to work with and truly made me feel like a movie star at every turn with a lavish working and living environment. It has been a joy to make 'em laugh in an almost sold out run with Broadway’s triple threat Tony Yazbeck, Chicago's rising star Matt Crowle and the amazingly talented Jenny Guse along with a stellar cast, crew & creatives. I never get tired of seeing the beaming faces in the audience at curtain call. Special thanks to Amber Wuttke (Wig Dresser & Wardrobe) who helped me put together this photo feature. Here's my Love Letter to Drury Lane, The Windy City & The Cinema, including some magical twists & turns of the imagination that may surprise you!"
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Christmas in Chicago With Singin' in the Rain Star Melissa Van Der Schyff
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Christmas in Chicago With Singin' in the Rain Star Melissa Van Der Schyff
Drama Desk Award nominee Melissa Van Der Schyff (Bonnie & Clyde) is spending her winter in the Chicago area, starring as silent film star Lina Lamont in Drury Lane Theatre's production of Singin' in the Rain. She offers a glimpse backstage and invites readers along as she discovers the many wonders the city has to offer. Read the Playbill.com story.
91 PHOTOS
It's my first time in the Windy City. Drury is truly a magical place and the folks here are SO generous, they make it easy for me to slip into the role of "Movie Star" by giving me the star treatment everyday.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
LINA LAMONT SAYS: "As far as I'm concerned I'M running the studio!!!"
Melissa Van Der Schyff
As you can see the commute from the "Star Apartment" (right) to the dressing rooms (left) is grueling. Although Drury's fabulous driver, Carlos, is available to drive me wherever I need to go, I decide to run to work...I hope I'm not late!
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Our first day involves shooting scenes for the "Silent Movie" sequences from "The Dueling Cavalier." I'm a HUGE movie buff, so I love this part of the process!
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Chicago favorite John Reeger plays a delicious villian...he's done 27 productions at Drury Lane!! He is a comic genius.
Amber Wuttke (wig dresser & wardrobe) not only helped me put together this Playbill layout but is totally calm under the pressure of all my fast changes... we have 2 involving this little outfit...
Melissa Van Der Schyff
As Lina Lamont waits in the wings to enter, she prepares for her big scene by thinking about puppies and muffins… #SOOOMETHOD
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Backstage, during filming, I'm introduced to Assistant Technical Director, Earl Baum, and he offers me some PEZ from his Princess Leia dispenser....
Melissa Van Der Schyff
...I had heard the legend of his extensive PEZ collection, but had never seen it...
Melissa Van Der Schyff
...I am suddenly transported through space and time via a magical doorway....
Melissa Van Der Schyff
....Upon entering I find myself in a land full of PEZ...this must be Earl's famed PEZ room!!!....What dimension and time is this???
Melissa Van Der Schyff
...I realize I am holding a Barbie PEZ Purse #JEALOUSMUCHKARDASHIANS?
Melissa Van Der Schyff
...the collection is overwhelming....it's like a PEZ survival bunker…all I need are some Capri Suns and I could survive for years!
Melissa Van Der Schyff
…Original "Singin' In The Rain" Movie Star Debbie Reynolds signed this one! My realities are colliding!!!...
Melissa Van Der Schyff
This little clown Pez is so cute…why are people so afraid of clown?
Melissa Van Der Schyff
It's time to transport back through the portal to experience all the other wonders Drury Lane has to offer...Thanks magical Pez room!!!
Melissa Van Der Schyff
I land back at Drury Lane's Ballroom for Sunday Brunch, which was voted one of the top Brunches in the country... if only my BFF & fellow breakfast lover Claybourne Elder were here.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
I am instinctively drawn to the mini-donut machine. Wait till I tell the folks back home in Canada "aboot" this eh? #YESIMACANUCK
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Drury Lane graciously helps me get into the role of "Movie Star" by having Hernan deliver food up to my room whenever I press #222 on the phone… thanks Hernan!
Melissa Van Der Schyff
I only ordered the Turtle Sunday with Caramel and Hot Fudge because I think that is what my character Lina Lamont would order…
Melissa Van Der Schyff
I am a stickler for physical & vocal warm ups before the show and was delighted to find out cast mate Laura Savage is a fellow Ashtangi...
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Laura and I wonder if our characters ever did yoga back in the 1920's...hmmm....let's meditate on it and see if we can find the answer within... CUE: MAGICAL SPACE ' N TIME DREAM PORTAL
Melissa Van Der Schyff
A past life memory of screen legend LINA LAMONT doing yoga with another up and coming starlet named..er..um..SUARA LAVAGE (she's from Europe)
Melissa Van Der Schyff
LINA LAMONT SAYS: "My 3rd Eye is killin' me."
Melissa Van Der Schyff
It's Opening Night with fiercely talented Jeff Award Nominee Matthew Crowle (Cosmo Brown) and the Astounding Tony Yazbeck (Don Lockwood). Oh and that's me in the middle wearing a Polar Bear.
Amber Wuttke
Top of the show with Legendary Chicago Actress & Jeff Award Winner Renee Matthews as Dora Bailey
Melissa Van Der Schyff
The lovely and uber talented Jenny Guse plays Kathy Seldon. She has gorgeous pipes and killer dancing stems!
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Kathy Seldon may look sweet but she is one tough Dame...Kathy and Lina arm wrestle backstage for Don...Lina wins this time (by cheating) but Kathy soon gets her revenge...
Melissa Van Der Schyff
...by throwing a Cake in Lina's face.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
LINA LAMONT SAYS: "Girls, always get in your contract that you must have at least 4 extremely talented, well groomed men in tuxedos do your make up and hair before the show!" (L-R Gary Carlson, George Wolff, John Reeger, me and Don Forston).
Melissa Van Der Schyff
"…and at least two extremely talented and handsome men wearing argyle vests to hold your stole until you are ready to enter." (L-R Johnson Brock, me and Brandon Springman)
Melissa Van Der Schyff
LINA LAMONT and DORA BAILEY pose for their Limited Edition stamp "Sassy Dames of the 1920's" collection
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Catherine Lord plays vocal coach Phoebe Dinsmore to perfection "No No No Miss Lamont...and I cahhhhn't stand him"...
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Lina and Dinsmore Contemplate Women's Lib. Lina gets a headache from "contemplatin stuff 'n things." And goes in search of muffins.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
..YAZBECK in the Rain... BREATHTAKINGMASTERDANCER
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Tony exits #SOPPINGWET
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Opening Night with wonderful director Bill Jenkins. We share a similar quirky sense of humor...I would have almost thought he was Canadian.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Some of the lovely legs in the cast…can you guess which are mine? #HINT:ILOVEGLITTERHEELS
Melissa Van Der Schyff
(L-R) Karissa Barney, Alexandra Palkovic, Katie Huff, Alexandria Van Paris and me #SINGINSTARLETTSTEMS
Melissa Van Der Schyff
William Carlos Angulo and I pretend to pose for thousands of fans #ONAMOVIESTARMINDSET
Melissa Van Der Schyff
It was then that Tony and I, tragically, realized we both have the same "good side" and are fated to always have awkward press photos together.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
What is so special about my bed? It's where original "Singin' In The Rain" star Debbie Reynolds stays when she performs here. That means, basically, I am sleeping in the same bed as Princess Leia's Mother!!??? CUE: MAGICAL SPACE 'N TIME DREAM PORTAL
Melissa Van Der Schyff
That might explain some of the dreams I have been having...
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Or maybe it's a side effect of combining the Princess Leia and Debbie Reynolds PEZ! Now I see the connection...wait am I awake or asleep?...does PEZ have caffeine?...I want a sandwich…
Melissa Van Der Schyff
People say I have been known to sleepwalk…but I think that is hogwash… #LUKESLEEPWALKER
Melissa Van Der Schyff
On my day off, Amber took me on my premiere trip into downtown Chicago... the first very thing I saw when getting off the subway? You got it. The Baby Jesus.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
We went to the famed German Christmas Market...
Melissa Van Der Schyff
We tried the traditional German spiced hot wine in a tiny ceramic boot. I'm gonna break my rule about drinking out of footwear just this once. #KINKYWINOBOOTS
Melissa Van Der Schyff
At the "ChristKindlMart" we found some time honored, classic Christmas Ornaments like the 'ol favorite "Legless Gorilla 'n Baby" …not to mention the beloved "Estranged Father Ape"...
Melissa Van Der Schyff
...and no Family Gathering would be complete without hanging up "Happy 'the deer carcass is in the trunk' Holidays" and the heartwarming "Hunting Tools." (only $24.50!!) I might just have to get two trees this year with all these choices!
Melissa Van Der Schyff
I found Rob McClure's Christmas present! No need to get me anything in return. (Chocolate).
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Mrs. Obama, enough about fighting childhood obesity, can we please do something about the pigeons of Chi-town?
Melissa Van Der Schyff
…and is that a Pigeon crack pipe and a BON FIRE??? Where's a Dateline correspondent when you need one?
Melissa Van Der Schyff
I think this guy auditioned for Singin' In The Rain
Melissa Van Der Schyff
As much as I enjoyed visiting THE BABY ZOO OF GREATER ILLINOIS, it felt as if, indeed, I was the one being watched.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Here I am at the sculpture "Cloud Gate." Chicago locals call this "The Bean." I call it "Alien Head 5th Dimension Adventure Time" but whatever. CUE: MAGICAL SPACE 'N TIME DREAM PORTAL
Melissa Van Der Schyff
I made the mistake of entering "The Bean"...where am I? What dimension is this???? Stephen Hawking and Scott Bakula help me!!
Melissa Van Der Schyff
I'm not even gonna try to explain who this big headed person is. But I think she is welcoming me back to the present. I give her some floss and Crest White Strips as a "Thank You."
Melissa Van Der Schyff
On my way to see Lake Michigan I found some fellow Canadians!!
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Wonder if I can hitch a ride with these geese to the homeland up North?
Melissa Van Der Schyff
One GORGEOUS skyline. I LOVE CHI-TOWN!!! *pulling out my binoculars* OMG is that Oprah in the Penthouse??? Robot Dancing with Gayle??
Melissa Van Der Schyff
It was time for Amber and I to head to "Exchequer," the famous pizza joint frequented by the legendary Al Capone!!
Melissa Van Der Schyff
And I run into more Canadians!
Melissa Van Der Schyff
This mile IS Magnificent! I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize to Rob McClure, I used your gift money for pizza, cause let's face it: A) we've never met so that's just weird B) it was like 20 bucks. Let's just say I owe you $20 and call it even.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
visited The Art Institute of Chicago and took a stroll through the park…(*valley girl voice* um…like Steven Sondheim is like totally an awesome painter).
Melissa Van Der Schyff
...a quick ballet class… #BLACKSWAN
Melissa Van Der Schyff
And I ran in to this guy. By the way…Sampson…next time you decide to wrestle a full on Lion...maybe put some pants on?…Just sayin'
Melissa Van Der Schyff
So if the path to Enlightenment is this way...which way to the Gift shop?
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Lina and Kathy transport to the future (yet another Magical Portal *yawn*) where they read some rags that seem to indicate there are Other Fish In The Sea... #DONLOCKWOODYOUAINTALLTHAT
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Handsome + Talented +Witty = The Men's Ensemble
Melissa Van Der Schyff
And suddenly we're in TECHNICOLOR!!!
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Talented + Beautiful + Wonderfully Quirky = The Women's Ensemble
Melissa Van Der Schyff
TJ and Dave started their highly regarded long form improv duo in 2002. For just $5, every Wednesday night at Wrigleyville's Improv Olympic, you can watch them improvise an astounding one hour play.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
On our way to TJ and Dave's show, Matt, Tony and I try to pose in front of our Limo like we are Zoolander models. I think Tony wins the prize.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
The Voice of Al Gore told us to ditch the Limo, so we found this Art Installation to get us the rest of the way to the show.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
On our way we passed by the famous theatre where John Dillinger was assassinated. We couldn't help but re-create the scene for you.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
CUE: CREEPY HORROR MOVIE MUSIC: "This Winter, 3 ACTORS who just need a little cash to buy improv tickets, stumble upon THE HIDDEN UNDER BELLY OF CHICAGO'S JANKY ATM's." ATARI? R2D2? or ATM… your card may go in but may never come out.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Janky ATM #2: Tony could only withdraw an SPF20. (that joke was for you, Jeremy Jordan).
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Janky ATM #3: When will this nightmare end? I think this ATM just gave me allergies.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
After a series of failed ATM attempts, we finally made it to the theatre, mugged an old lady, and purchased our tickets.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Matthew Crowle is all smiles waiting for the show to start.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
The show was hysterical! TJ and Dave are amazing because they don't play for laughs, which makes them even funnier. They were kind enough to take a photo with us!
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Upon leaving, we spotted Janky ATM # 4 (The Sequel??) across the street. And yes, that is the word "RISKY" written in Sharpie.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
While "Pie in The Face" is OFTEN funny, "Slipping on Banana Peel" is ALWAYS painful.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Apparently Golden Voiced Tenor George Wolff missed the Equity "Raked Stage and Banana Peel Safety" Meeting.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Costume Manager Erika Senase painstakingly hand made our Cake-In-The-Face prop. John Reeger wheels it off into the warehouse where it will be stored alongside Handshake Buzzer, Water Squirting Flower, Fake Doggie Doo and various Whoopee Cushions.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Some of our generous and hard-working crew, represented here by (L-R) Amber Wuttke, Anne Quiaoit, Kristen Ligeski, are "Cleanin' up the Rain."
Melissa Van Der Schyff
The talented Allyson Graves and Megan Farley knit backstage and wonder what ever happened to Lina Lamont after the talkies took over?
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Starlet Beauties Amanda Tanguay and Katie Mazzini are also obviously gravely concerned as to Lina's whereabouts.
Melissa Van Der Schyff
So what DID happen to Lina Lamont after her film career ended so abruptly? Some say Lina was last seen on a steamer headed to Singapore. Who knew she spoke perfect Mandarin?
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Thank you Drury Lane for your incredible generosity! I am especially grateful for all the wonderful people I have met. May The Force (of Drury Lane) be with you…and may you find the magic, joy and comedy in your day!
The stage version of the 1952 M-G-M movie musical appeared on Broadway in 1985 (preceded by the 1983 London production) under the direction of Twyla Tharp, who also choreographed. The famous title number, complete with rain, was (and remains) the show's scenic centerpiece. It ran nearly a year on Broadway. The version was not an exact match of the famous film; its later stock and amateur script (like the version now playing Drury Lane) hews more closely to the original movie, which boasted songs by composer Nacio Herb Brown and lyricist Arthur Freed.
The Chicago-area revival plays to Jan. 13, 2013. Tony Yazbeck, of Broadway's Chicago and White Christmas, stars in the central Gene Kelly-originated role of Don Lockwood.
Singin' in the Rain features one of the largest casts ever assembled on the Drury Lane stage: Jenny Guse (Follies at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 42nd Street at Marriott Theatre and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at Theatre at the Center) as Kathy Selden; Matthew Crowle (Spamalot on Broadway, the national tour of Doctor Dolittle directed by Tommy Tune) as Cosmo; and Drama Desk Award nominee Melissa Van Der Schyff (Blanche Barrow in Bonnie & Clyde on Broadway) as Lina Lamont.
Bill Jenkins (chair of Ball State University's department of theatre and dance, director of Drury Lane Theatre's Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) directs the production.
The musical comedy is set in 1920 Hollywood as movies are transitioning from silent to sound. Don and his shrill co-star Lina attempt to make the bumpy crossover with the help of Don's new girl, Kathy, and his best pal, Cosmo. The libretto is by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, who also penned the revered screenplay.
The score includes "Make 'Em Laugh," "Moses Supposes" (by Comden, Green and Roger Edens), "All I Do Is Dream of You," "Would You?," "You Are My Lucky Star," "Good Morning" and more.
The cast also features Don Forston as R.F. Simpson, Scott Calcagno as Roscoe Dexter, Jeff Award winner John Reeger as Diction Coach, Catherine Lord as Miss Dinsmore, Jeff Award winner Renee Matthews as Dora Bailey and Cara Salerno as Lady in Green, with William Carlos Angulo, Karissa Barney, Johnson Brock, Gary Calson, Daniel Coonley, Megan Farley, Betsy Farrar, Allyson Graves, Kyle Halford, Katie Huff, Jonathan Kwock, Katie Mazzini, Willie Mellina, Alexandra Palkovic, Laura Savage, Will Skrip, Brandon Springman, Amanda Tanguay, George Andrew Wolff and Zach Zube.
Jeff Award winner Roberta Duchak is musical director. The production is choreographed by Amber Mak. The choreography for "Fit as a Fiddle," "Make 'Em Laugh," "Moses Supposes" and "Good Morning" is by Matthew Crowle. The elaborate scenery is conceived by Jeff Award-winning designer Kevin Depinet. The creative team also includes lighting designer Julie Mack, costume designer Maggie Hoffman, Jeff Award-winning sound designer Ray Nardelli and wig designer Heather Flemming.
