“Singing In The Rain”, based on the 1952 MGM Film of the same name with screen -play and adaptation by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, is one of those ‘oldies’ but goodies that starred Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds. It topped the American Film Institute’s 100 Years of Musicals List and is ranked ‘as the fifth greatest American motion picture of all time”.
It is now in a splendid and most entertaining production through July 2nd at New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad under the direction of A.J. Knox with a score, that if you are of a certain generation and can can still remember, includes: "All I Do Is Dream of You”, “Make ‘Em Laugh”, “Beautiful Girl”, “You Are My Lucky Star”, “You Were Meant For Me”, “Moses Supposes”, “Good Morning”, “Would You” and of course “Singing In The Rain”
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| Emma Nossal |
The story, set in 1929, traces the evolution of the silent film to talkies. It’s fun to watch the slow change as the silent film studio that stars Don Lockwood and his leading lady Lina Lamont (Audrey Ward is a kick and a half) go through the melodramatic swashbuckling scenes in their famous silent series “The Dueling Cavaliers”, that ultimately give way to “The Jazz Singer” which revolutionized the motion picture industry.
The saga of Lockwood (Anthony Michael Vacio who is one fantastic dancer) and his his sidekick Cosmos (Xavier J. Bush super as well) and his on stage leading lady Lina Lamont (Audrey Ward) are the forces that drive this nonsensical narrative throughout.
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| Audrey Ward |
Briefly, if possible, Lamont and Lockwood are seen as off screen lovers as well as on screen ones, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Lockwood is simply not interested in Lamont and therein lays the rub ,since they are pictured together at every media event. In reality nothing could be further from the truth.
Keeping the rumors alive is the roving gossip queen Kylie Young (looking eerily like Patti LuPone) channeling gossip columnist Hedda Hopper interviewing all the so- called stars, as she manages to keep the two as a couple to promote studio hype. Things go from bad to worse until they get better.
Enter Kathy Seldon (Emma Nossal is a charming delight) who steals Lockwood’s heart much to chagrin of Lamont who doesn’t mind undermining Seldon. But Seldon can dance sing and talk in a reasonable voice, where Lamont has a godawfully speaking voice let alone cackling and challenging singing voice, ergo Seldon’s voice is dubbed in when the studio goes to talkies.
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| Xavier J. Bush, Emma Nossal, Anthony Michael Vacio |
It all comes together nicely with pizzazz, as the equally talented cast, mostly ensemble, are busy moving props around (Mckenna Foote) to set up the next scene (the play is 2/12 hours long).
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| Anthony Michael Vacio |
Amanda Quivey’s colorful and period costumes, Annelise Salazar’s lighting design, Ethan Eldred’s projection designs especially the falling rain in the rain scene, Kristianne Kurner’s scenic design and Missy Bradstreet’s wig and makeup along with musical direction by Nina Gilbert and Korrie Yamaoka and dazzling choreography by Katie Banville and Jenna Ingrassia-Knox all contribute to this up scale and happy-go-lucky time frame in which we are all in need of now. It wowed this reviewer.
Have fun, enjoy and relive a little of the past.
See you at the theatre.
When: Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. (2 p.m. Wednesdays from May 31 on). Through July 2.
Where: New Village Arts, 2787 State St., Carlsbad
Tickets: $27-$50
Phone: (760) 284-4393
Photo: Jason Sullivan/Dupla
Online: newvillagearts.org
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