Russell Klein, co-owner and chef at St. Paul's hot Meritage restaurant, can't wait for his off-Broadway debut, coming June 28 at the Ordway.

He'll appear in "Singin' in the Rain," although not quite in the Gene Kelly role.

Klein will have a walk-on role -- as the police officer swinging his baton -- who strolls onstage at the end of the first act, leading up to the big "Singing in the Rain" number.

He's one of nine special "friends of the Ordway" who'll have the cameo performances as the copper during the show's run in St. Paul, from June 16 to 28. Most of the ministars won the right to appear on stage by bidding about $2,000 at an auction during the Ordway Circle of Stars gala. Klein, whose restaurant on St. Peter Street is a popular stop before and after Ordway productions, is putting on a special "Singin' in the Rain" menu during the show's run.

There's at least one woman on the cameo list, so it's a gender-neutral police-officer role. The performers need to arrive an hour early for costume fitting and makeup. There's a personal dressing room reserved for them, another perk of the role. No singing for the officer -- rain or shine -- and no lines to memorize, either. Just swing the baton and give a dramatic nod to set off the dancing extravaganza.

Ordway officials say it's easy to be a donor and have an opportunity for "starring roles" like this. Checkbook is required. Call Peggie Van Wychen, Ordway’s director of development, at 651-282-3002.