'Singin In the Rain' -
Screenplay and Adaptation by Betty Comden and Adolph Green; Songs by Nacio Herb
Brown and Arthur Freed; Based on the MGM film by special arrangement with
Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Inc. Directed and Choreographed by Richard
Stafford; Music Direction by Milton Granger; Scenic & Lighting
Design by Jack Mehler; Sound Design by Leon Rothenberg; Costume
Coordination by Mark Nagle. Presented by The North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly,
through August 28.
It’s always tricky to bring a
musical first created for the movies to the stage, and when it’s an iconic one
on the scale of “Singin’ In the Rain” – regarded by many as the top musical of
all time – it can be particularly challenging, especially when you consider
that not only one, but two of the show’s dance numbers are the signature pieces
of two of Hollywood’s most celebrated male hoofers. But powered by an
outstanding cast, the North Shore Musical Theatre does not disappoint with this
terrific production.
'Singin' In The Rain' centers
around the transition from silent films to the “talkies” by the major movie
studios, and is also a sendup of the celebrity worship culture (yes, even then)
of that era. Don Lockwood (Mark Evans) and Lena Lamont (a very funny Emily
Stockdale) are America's
favorite onscreen couple, making ridiculous silent romantic costume pieces for
Monumental Studios. The pair are linked romantically in the tabloids as well,
but it is all just part of the studio's publicity machine, as Don wants little
to do with the beautiful but vapid Lena.
Following the world premiere
of his latest film, Don tries to escape from his adoring fans by ducking into a
coffee shop, where he stumbles upon stage actress Kathy Selden, whom he uses as
cover to avoid being mobbed by the hysterical crowd. After initial niceties,
she tells him she isn't impressed by him or the movies in general because the
acting is second rate. Don is insulted, but “true thespian” Cathy gets her
comeuppance when she later pops out of a cake at the premiere party and is
greeted by a smiling Don. The two spar, and since this is a musical comedy, he
falls for her like a ton of bricks. Hilarity ensues.
With the exception of dance
number “Moses Supposes” the musical numbers in the original movie (and the
theatrical production) were all taken from previous MGM musical films, and
knitted together to fit the story developed by screenwriters Betty Comden and
Adolph Green, but what a score! This show is chock full of great song and dance
numbers like "Good Morning", “Broadway Rythym” and the title tune,
and are executed superbly. But the comedy works equally well, especially the
filmed sequences where the dialogue is being dubbed in with mixed (and very
funny) results.
Although the show opened a bit
sluggishly on the night I attended, by midway through the first act it was
firing on all cylinders. The ballads were especially well done, beginning with
Tess Grady (as Kathy) and Evan’s duet “Lucky Star”, and Grady also does a
wonderful rendition of the musical question “Would You?” Grady (who last season
did a nice job as Stephanie Mangano in NSMT’s “Saturday Night Fever”), really
owned the Cathy Selden role, playing it with a committed determination rather
than the pure spunk of Debbie Reynolds, all while preserving the All-American
girl sweetness. She also absolutely nails the difficult tap numbers. Evans also
created a fresh Don Lockwood characterization, while Sean McGibbon (as Cosmo
Brown) does a virtual carbon copy of Donald O’Connor, right down to his comic
mannerisms. Evans and McGibbon bring down the house with the aforementioned
“Moses Supposes” tap number, and both shine in their respective solo
interpretations of “Singin’ In The Rain” and “Make ‘Em Laugh”. And as the
fingernails-on-the-chalkboard voiced Lena,
Stockdale is a gem, with her performance growing stronger as the show went on,
including the comical number, "What's Wrong with Me?" (a song that
was scratched from the movie version).
The show ends with the full
company version of “Singin’ in the Rain” – complete with actual “rain” and it’s
a great way to end the evening. This is a great show for both musical lovers
and anyone who likes great theater. For more info, go to: www.nsmt.org.
