Actress recalls time at local Opera House
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Edit TextRegina Leslie, who remembers acquiring her interest in theater from watching her mother, Betty, on the Woodstock Opera House stage, is preparing for a role in the world premiere of “The Quiet Man Tales” at Chicago Theater.
The premier is March 6. The Chicago Theater Downstairs is in the Loop at State and Lake streets.
Leslie’s character in this stage production is an Irish Republican Army agent when the Irish people were fighting for independence.
“I’m a spy in love with my country and would do anything for it. The story develops in finding love even though loving my country is a priority,” Leslie said.
Leslie, 1991 Marian Central graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in music from University of Illinois in 1995, said she was excited to be part of this production.
During high school, Leslie was an active performer on the Opera House stage, including productions of “Camelot,” “Brigadoon,” “Secret Garden” and “Singin’ in the Rain.”
She is a member of a musically talented family. She trained as a violinist and sang with her sisters as a little girl. She began focusing on theater and voice after college.
She performed in regional theater, where she played the violin, acted, sang and sometimes danced. She also has appeared in TV commercials for such varied subjects as a Colorado tourism, Glade and Luna.
As for her earliest memory of Woodstock Opera House, she said her mother was playing Anna in “The King and I.” She laughs now as she recalls, “I remember crying because my sisters were in the children’s chorus, and I was too young to be a part of the cast.”
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Six artists from four McHenry County communities have an exhibit at the Old Courthouse Arts Center, which began Friday and continues through Feb. 27. S!XX Collection 2009 represents women artists with a variety of creative talent and imagination.
The six artists are Laura Brown, Erin Denk and Cathlene DeCraene, Woodstock; Kim Eikre, Huntley; Shannon Settles, Johnsburg; and Renee Dankert, Harvard. The artists plan a gallery reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 31.
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Sue Kirby, who is a member of the Crystal Lake Dawn Breakers Rotary, is accepting applications for vocational scholarships sponsored by that morning group.
The Joe Helbling Scholarship was established to provide educational opportunities for men and women living in School District 155.
Kirby said the five $1,000 scholarships were open to anyone working on a two-year program or a certificate at an accredited vocational school, training center or junior college.
Contact Kirby at suekirby
@hotmail.com for an application. The deadline is Feb. 1.
• Don Peasley can be reached at 815-338-1533.
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