OFFBEAT: 'Singin' in the Rain' at Drury Lane a downpour of talent

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Joey Fatone at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

Joey Fatone, shown raising the stakes at the poker table, was at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa in January 2011 to help open the New Hard Rock Cafe added to the gaming property.

Crown Point's Fuel Fitness

Owner Jared Tomich chats with Theresa Tripp, left, and Barb Wentz as he tries out a pink drink Friday at the new Fuel Fitness center in Crown Point. The center had a ribbon cutting Friday. The evening was a "Celebration of Cancer Survivors," with many patrons wearing pink, as well as the pin…

Crown Point's Fuel Fitness

CROWN POINT | Brian Schramlin, of Valparaiso, works out in the weight room at the new Fuel Fitness center in Crown Point on Friday.

VIDEO: Dozens wait for Chick-fil-A opening

With a shot at earning free food for a year, folks began lining up at the new Chick-fil-A restaurant waiting for the store's opening.

Taste of Autumn Auction and Wine Tasting

Can't be a chicken to win this prize

Contestants dance the Cupid Shuffle on Wednesday in the parking lot of the new Chick-fil-A restaurant in Hobart.

Can't be a chicken to win this prize

Chick-fil-A Marketing Director Karen Wilson checks the line Wednesday outside the Hobart restaurant. Wilson must determine if anyone who has registered has left.

Can't be a chicken to win this prize

Gary resident Joseph Anderson and Merrillville residents Amara Biloche, 4, and Shirley Stone play checkers Wedneday as they wait for the new Chick-fil-A restaurant to open its doors.

Can't be a chicken to win this prize

Crown Point residents play NBA 2K12 as they wait outside the new Chick-fil-A restaurant in Hobart.

Portage Community Market opens

Andy Bloomquist, of Chesterton, works the Remus produce stand with Barb Remus on Saturday in Founders Square Park as part of the Portage Community Market.

Portage Community Market opens

Saturday marked opening day for the Portage Community Market in Founders Square Park. The market features fresh produce, fresh baked bread, live music and craft vendors. The market continues from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in the park through Oct. 1.

Bill Boyd and Beauties

The newly expanded Blue Chip Casino Hotel Tower opened in January 2009 with the new hotel and spa ribbon cutting honors courtesy of Bill Boyd, executive chairman and founder of Boyd Gaming, the Blue Chip parent company, shown framed for the occasion by two casino showgirls.

Gambling on new look, brand

JOLIET | The $90 million in renovations to Empress Casino in Joliet following a March 2009 fire not only include a name and brand change but also new faces to be hired this week.

OFFBEAT: Joliet Empress Casino unveiling new name, branding and theme Dec. 22

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Family Express opens new corporate headquarters, training center

Visitors gather in front of a full-sized replica of a Family Express on Thursday during an open house for the company's new headquarters in Valparaiso.

Family Express opens new corporate headquarters, training center

Gus Olympidis, president and CEO of Family Express, speaks with visitors on Thursday during an open house for its new Valparaiso headquarters. The new building boasts a fitness center for Family Express employees and a full-scale replica of a Family Express facility for training.

St. Mary Medical Center emergency room open house

Bishop Dale Melczek, of the Gary Diocese, blesses the front of the new emergency department Thursday at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart.

St. Mary Medical Center emergency room open house

John Gorski, chief operating officer of Community Healthcare System, right, talks with Bishop Dale Melczek of the Gary Diocese, left, and Daniel Kowalzyk, center, director of emergency medical services, during an open house for the new emergency department at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart.