Photo Flash: First Look at Theatre at the Center's WHAT A GLORIOUS FEELING

A revealing portrait of the late dancer-actor-director-choreographer Gene Kelly, this Chicago premiere production of What a Glorious Feeling will be directed by Theatre at the Center Artistic Director William Pullinsi with Choreography by Jeff Award-winning choreographer Danny Herman.

Herman has choreographed over 50 productions nationally, including The National Tour of Dreamgirls, A Little Night Music and Another Midsummer Night at the Goodman, Elmer Gantry at Ford's Theatre and over a dozen productions at Candlelight Playhouse, including 5 Guys Named Moe and Song and Dance.

Inspired by true events, What a Glorious Feeling brings to life the tempestuous love triangle that occurred during the filming of the 1952 MGM blockbuster as Gene Kelly clashes with co-director and friend Stanley Donen. Kelly falls in love with his assistant Jeanne Coyne, who happens to be Donen's ex-wife, and together, all three of them work on the project. This show celebrates the genius of this highly charged collaboration with music and dance, while exploring the emotional complexity of their lives behind the camera; incorporating important, real-life figures including a young Debbie Reynolds and producer/songwriter Arthur Freed. What a Glorious Feeling lets audiences relive the dances and songs they fell in love with in the original film, but with a brand new perspective and whole new love story.

What a Glorious Feeling stars Richard Strimer as "Gene Kelly" (Theatre at the Center's Crazy For You, Joseph..., Oklahoma, Gypsy, 42nd Street; Marriott Theatre's 42nd Street, Drury Lane's Spamalot, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers; and Jeff Award winner for Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Singin' in the Rain at Drury Lane Evergreen Park), Cara Salerno as "Jeanne Coyne" (42nd Street, Crazy for You, La Cage aux Folles and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at Theatre at the Center, Singin in the Rain and Thoroughly Modern Millie at Drury Lane Oakbrook), Nicole Miller as "Debbie Reynolds" (Theatre at the Center's 42nd Street, La Cage, Jesus Christ Superstar and Guys and Dolls), Steven Spanopoulos as "Stanley Donen" (Theatre at the Center's 42nd Street, Singin in the Rain, A Chorus Line and State Fair; My One and Only and 42nd Street at The Marriott Theatre; and Thoroughly Modern Millie at Drury Lane Oakbrook), and Robert Hildreth as "Arthur Freed" (Multiple productions at Theatre at the Center including Phantom, Oklahoma!, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls; First National Tour of Phantom of the Opera).

The Artistic Team, led by Theatre at the Center Artistic Director William Pullinsi, features Musical Direction and Orchestrations by William A. Underwood. The design team includes Scenic Designer Angie Weber-Miller; Lighting Designer Charles Cooper; Sound Designer Barry G. Funderburg; Costume Designer Brenda Winstead, Wig Designer Kevin Barthel, and Props Designer Lauren Earnshaw.The Stage Manager is Matthew McMullen, the Technical Director is Ann Davis; and TATC's General Manager is Richard Friedman.

Founded in 1991, Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago, and has free parking.

For tickets and more information on Theatre at the Center, visit TheatreAtTheCenter.com.

Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow

Cara Salerno (Jeanne Coyne) and Richard Strimer (Gene Kelly)

Richard Strimer (Gene Kelly)

Steven Spanopoulos (Stanley Donen), Cara Salerno (Jeanne Coyne) and Richard Strimer (Gene Kelly)

Steven Spanopoulos (Stanley Donen), Cara Salerno (Jeanne Coyne) and Richard Strimer (Gene Kelly)

Steven Spanopoulos (Stanley Donen), Nicole Miller (Debbie Reynolds) and Richard Strimer (Gene Kelly)

Richard Strimer (Gene Kelly)

Richard Strimer (Gene Kelly) and Cara Salerno (Jeanne Coyne)