Hinsdale supplies the talent: Hinsdale was home to Patricia Hurd during her student days at Northwestern University, and Rick Hilsabeck grew up there, but they didn’t meet until eight years ago when both won key roles in the first national touring company of “The Phantom of the Opera.”
Hilsabeck and his wife are headed for New York City and further study, while soprano Hurd, a former choir member and soloist at the Union Church of Hinsdale, is back in Chicago, appearing for the third time as Carlotta Guidicelli in “Phantom,” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical. Close to 100 Union Church members and friends attended a matinee at the Civic Opera House recently to applaud her performance and renew acquaintances.
“Pat is wonderfully talented,” said Michael Surratt, the church’s organist and director of music, who arranged the group visit. “Now that the show’s run has been extended through early July, we’re hoping she’ll have time to head to Hinsdale and sing with us again.”