BWW Reviews: The Muny's Delightful and Tuneful Production of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN

The movie version of Singin' in the Rain is one of my all-time favorites. It has such an upbeat feel and infectious sense of humor that it's almost disappointing when you finish watching it, step outside, and it isn't raining. Happily, the stage version retains a great deal of the tone and vivacity that the movie contains, even though this kind of reverse-engineering usually winds up a mixed bag at best. But, The Muny's current production, even with the sweltering heat we're currently enduring, is worth braving the broiling for, with winning performances and a bevy of familiar hummable tunes that haven't lost a bit of their original charm.

Since this is a musical about films, and particularly the transition from silents to sound, there's a screen on stage that provides a number of amusing moments. The plot follows the basics of Adolph Green and Betty Comden's screenplay, with silent screen stars Don Lockwood and his annoying voiced co-star Lina Lamont struggling to deal with the sudden switch to sound pictures. But much as Hollywood as done throughout the years, the clever use of another voice, in this case a young starlet with the right kind of pipes named Kathy Selden, comes to the rescue and not only saves the picture, but steals Don's heart as well.

Tony Yazbeck does exceptional work as Don Lockwood, and the rain soaked finale of act one, where the title tune gets a proper physical workout, draws considerable applause as well as envy from the audience who are dealing with another typical St. Louis summer. He shares a splendid chemistry with Shannon M.O'Bryan, who's perfectly suited for the sweet-voiced part of Kathy Selden, as well as with his chum CosMo Brown, who's energetically portrayed by Curtis Holbrook. Holbrook makes terrific work of "Make 'Em Laugh" (which is a direct cop of "Be A Clown"), and he and Yazbeck bring down the house with their rollicking take on "Moses". O'Bryan gets a nice romantic showcase with "You Are My Lucky Star" and the lovely duet "You Were Meant For Me" with Yazbeck. All three sing up a storm on the always fun tune "Good Mornin'".The supporting cast is wonderful as well with standout work provided by Michele Ragusa (Lina Lamont), James Anthony (studio boss R.F. Simpson) and John Freimann (frustrated film director Roscoe Dexter).

Rick Conant's direction keeps the tone light and the pace snappy, and he's aided greatly by Kelli Barclay's toe-tapping choreography which pays homage to the work originally created by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen. Steven Gilliam's scenic design neatly captures the era, and it's nicely lit by F. Mitchell Dana. Michael Horsley's musical direction makes excellent work of Nacio Brown and Arthur Freed's timeless score.

The Muny's production of Singin' in the Rain is a real treat, and though the weather may be a bit sticky, just bring plenty of water and dive right into this splashy and delightful presentation. The show continues through July 24, 2011.

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