Theatre Review
Singing in the Rain
Dean Lesher Center - Walnut Creek, CA
Reviewed By = Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
It is not easy to produce a musical like Singin’ in the Rain. Based on the 1952 American film, starring the great dancing legend Gene Kelly, considered one of the greatest MGM musicals of all-time. His iconic great Singin’ In the Rain number, is still one of the greatest scenes in the history of film making. This toe-tapping dancing musical is playing now through March 2, at the Lesher Center for the Arts at the Hoffman Theater in Walnut Creek, presented by The Diablo Theater Company.
I truly enjoyed this presentation. Extremely entertaining for the whole family, a great theater experience. The tap- dancing numbers are a real treat and something from another era, which still requires great amount of talent, with rhythmic live music for all to enjoy.
A troupe of 33 dancers and singers, are put to the test in a very nice facility, but considering it is not a large stage, they do as well as can be expected, while keeping a fast pace with a journey to the time when movies were changing from silent to “talkies”.
In 1926 Don Juan was the first motion picture to feature a synchronized sound system. One year later The Jazz Singer, with the great Al Jolson, produced by Warner Brothers, with Vitaphone sound, put audio into movies to stay.
Of the 25 motion pictures in the American Film Institute list of great movie musicals, the majority started as Broadway shows, and then moved to the screen. However, Singin’ n the Rain is the exception, as it originated at MGM studios, at the very start of what would make these studios the most famous for big production musicals.
Dyan McBride Directs Singin’ in the Rain, featuring some of the most famous songs including, “Good Morning”, “Moses Supposes”, (a real tongue-twister)”, Make them Laugh” and “Singin’ in the Rain”.
At the beginning of the sound synchronized movies Don Lockwood, a big silent movie star, needs to make the transition, or could be extinct from the movie business. This could represent the end to Monumental Pictures. Lockwood is played by Ken Pinto, who does an excellent job, handling the theme song, with an umbrella and under the rain, while singing and dancing. Don's popularity is tied to his leading lady, Lina Lamont, with a voice “not suited” for sound pictures. Young Cosmo is played by Nathan Corell, who really impressed me with his versatility and overall talent. Both Lockwood and Cosmos find another voice for Lamont, played with distinction by Mary Kalita. Lina Lamont could not sing, so they find Kathy Selden to sing for her. All that Lina Lamont has to do, is move her lips, on the songs that are really being sung by Selden, played by Melissa WolfKlain.
An excellent twelve piece orchestra directed by Cheryl Yee Glass, brings the whole night alive. A real delight with costumes of that period, well casted with well built dancers and a good ensemble makes Singin’ in the Rain very much fun.
I give Singin’ in the Rain four Golden Bridges, out of a total of five.
For more information and tickets, visit www.diablotheater.org. Singin in the Rain’ ends on March 2, 2013. Easy access from any part of the Bay Area in downtown Walnut Creek, just off the 680 freeway exit South Main Street. Go and enjoy it, take the whole family, it is a treat!
Title = Singing in the Rain
Genre = Musical
Genre = Musical
Theater/City = Diablo Theatre Company
1601 Civic Drive,
Walnut Creek, Ca
Contact Phone = (925) 295-1400
Production Dates = Now through March 2, 2013
Ticket Prices = $49
Click Here For More Info & Tickets - - - > http://diablotheatre.org/blog/singin-in-the-rain
Click Here For More Info & Tickets - - - > http://diablotheatre.org/blog/singin-in-the-rain
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