The Penguin Project celebrates its 12th anniversary with an exciting production of “Singin’ in the Rain Jr.” that will be performed January 15-17 at Eastlight Theatre at East Peoria High School.
The show will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for youth, with a $1 per ticket service charge for on-line orders. Student tickets are available only through the box office.
The Penguin Project features a group of young people who take to the stage to perform a modified version of a well-known Broadway musical. These productions are unique because all of the roles are filled by young artists with developmental disabilities. They are joined on stage by their “peer mentors” – a group of children without disabilities who have volunteered to work with them side-by-side through the rehearsals and on stage. The end result is a celebration of the ability of any child to succeed when given encouragement, support and opportunity.
Filled with a “hit-parade” of songs, quick dialogue and comic situations, Singin’ in the Rain JR. is sure to please every audience member. The show “has all the makings of a Tinseltown tabloid headline – the starlet, the leading man and a love affair that could change lives and make or break careers. In silent movies, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are a hot item, but behind the scenes things aren’t always as they appear on the big screen. Meanwhile, Lina’s squeaky voice might be the end of her career in ‘talking pictures’ without the help of a talented young actress to do the talking and singing for her.”
The future goal for the Penguin Project is to take the program to other cities, allowing children with special needs across the nation to participate in a life-altering event.
For tickets to the production of “Singin’ in the Rain Jr.,” call 309-699-SHOW (7469) or order online at www.EastlightTheatre.com.
Or for more information on the Penguin Project, visit here.
