SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, Starring David Elder and More, Opens Tonight at Pittsburgh CLO

Grab the umbrellas! Audiences will be delighted by Pittsburgh CLO's production of Singin' in the Rain, May 30-June 8 at the Benedum Center. A talented cast of Broadway's best and Pittsburgh CLO veterans will take this feel-good movie-musical off the silver screen and on to the Benedum Center stage.

All the makings of a Tinseltown tabloid headline - the starlet, the leading man and a love affair that could change lives and make or break careers! In silent movies, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are a hot item, but behind the scenes things aren't always as they appear on the big screen! Meanwhile, Lina's squeaky voice might be the end of her career in "talking pictures" without the help of a talented young actress to do the talking and singing for her. This extraordinary score is a downright downpour of magical music - "Singin' in the Rain," "Make 'Em Laugh" and "Good Mornin'."

ABOUT THE CAST:

David Elder (Don Lockwood) was last seen at Pittsburgh CLO as Bobby Pepper in Curtains. Broadway: Curtains (Bobby Pepper), 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor, Outer Critics and Astaire Award Noms.), Kiss Me Kate (Bill Calhoun/ Lucentio), Titanic (Fleet, the lookout), Once Upon A Mattress (Sir Harry), Damn Yankees (Bomber), Beauty and the Beast, and Guys and Dolls. Additional credits include White Christmas (Phil Davis), Mary Poppins (Bert), Damn Yankees (Joe Hardy) opposite Jerry Lewis, and won raves from the New York Times for his role in the Jack Cole anthology Heatwave.

Mary Michael Patterson (Kathy Selden) is currently on leave from playing Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Previously, Anything Goes (Broadway), Liesl in The Sound of Music (Carnegie Hall), Marianne Dashwood in the world premiere of Sense and Sensibility: The Musical (Denver Center Theatre), Judy Haynes in White Christmas (Syracuse Stage), and Kathy Selden in Singin' in the Rain (Music Theatre of Wichita).

Cary Tedder (Cosmo Brown) returns to Pittsburgh CLO for the third time. Broadway: The Times They Are A-Changin', Memphis (Fred Astaire Award Nom), and most recently Big Fish. West Side Story national tour, and various regional houses including Pittsburgh CLO (2008 Summer Season), St. Louis MUNY, North Shore Music Theatre, The Alliance Theater, GEVA Theater, Music Theatre of Wichita, and Hartford Stage.

Kristine Bendul (Olga Mara) joins Pittsburgh CLO directly from Cinderella on Broadway to dance this iconic role. Other Broadway credits: Come Fly Away, Movin' Out (Helen Hayes nomination for 1st Nat'l), Man Of La Mancha, Swing, On The Town, and The King & I. Kristine has also appeared on NBC's "Smash," PBS' "Camelot" live from Lincoln Center, four City Center Encores productions and numerous other theater and TV productions.

Jeff Howell (Roscoe Dexter) was recently seen in By the Way Meet Vera Stark (REP). Pittsburgh CLO shows include 42nd Street, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Jekyll and Hyde, A Musical Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit), Beauty and the Beast, Bells are Ringing, Pajama Game, The Most Happy Fella. Other credits include Candide, Tigers Be Still, Chicago, and Tribute to Lerner and Loewe with Marvin Hamlisch and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Ken Land (R.F. Simpson) last appeared in Pittsburgh CLO's production of Phantom. Broadway/Off-Broadway/Tours: Promises, Promises, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Victor/Victoria, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Legally Blonde, The Gig, Little Shop of Horrors, Sweet Charity, The Secret Garden, Evita. Regional: MUNY, Portland Center Stage, Old Globe, Goodspeed, Indiana Rep, Maine State, etc. Television: "Boston Legal," "Six Feet Under," "Law & Order(s)," "Malcolm in the Middle," "Judging Amy," "The District," "Crossing Jordan," "Star Trek: Voyager," "Strong Medicine."

Isabelle McCalla (Zelda Zanders) was last seen in Pittsburgh CLO's productions of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Sarah), 42nd Street, and Phantom. St. Louis Muny: West Side Story (Rosalia) and Aladdin. She is a rising senior at the University of Michigan.

Ashley Spencer (Lina Lamont) returns to Pittsburgh CLO after appearing in The Producers (Ulla), Curtains (Nikki Harris), Hairspray (Amber Von Tussle) and Les Miserables (Eponine). Broadway: Rock of Ages (Sherrie), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Diva), Grease (Sandy) and Hairspray (Amber Von Tussle).

Singin' in the Rain is complete with a talented ensemble, including Pittsburgh CLO veterans Lindsey Bracco, Lucas Fedele, Michael Greer, Chris Laitta, Stephanie Maloney and Mara Newbery. They will be joined by two CLO Academy students, Jacob Epstein and Matthew Fedorek.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM:

Linda Goodrich (Director & Choreographer) returns to Pittsburgh CLO after serving as Choreographer for Singin' in the Rain for the 1995 and 2002 productions. Her Directorial/Choreographic credits include Bat Boy and Smokey Joe's Café at Theatreworks (awards for Excellence in direction and choreography); Seussical! - Music Theatre of Wichita; Jesus Christ Superstar, Side Show, Oklahoma and Cabaret - Univ. of Mich. Choreography credits include world premieres of Henry Krieger's and Bill Russell's Everything's Ducky and the revised Good News! Tours: Cabaret - Europe, Singin' in the Rain - U.S. and Japan, Blue's Clues Live and Dora The Explorer - U.S., including Radio City Music Hall. Regional Theatre: Company with Carol Burnett - Long Beach CLO, Strike Up The Band - Goodspeed Opera House, Singin' in the Rain and Annie - Paper Mill Playhouse. Other Theatres: Cincinnati Playhouse, St. Louis Rep, North Shore Music Theatre and TUTS.

Tom Helm (Music Director) returns for his 19th season with Pittsburgh CLO. His theater credits include the Broadway productions of Souvenir, LES MISERABLES, Me and My Girl, Cats and Brigadoon. He has also contributed his talents to television programs such as "Crazy For You" and the "Today Show." Mr. Helm has conducted at Radio City Music Hall, Paper Mill Playhouse and many other regional and national theaters.

Andrew David Ostrowski (Lighting Designer) recently completed work on Pittsburgh CLO's Ring of Fire at the CLO Cabaret, as well as Hope and Gravity at City Theatre. He has designed for every local company in Pittsburgh. National credits include: The Asolo, Virginia Stage Company, North Shore Music Theatre, Merrimack Reparatory Company, The Arden Theatre Company, Spoleto Festival USA, Dallas Summer Musicals, Theater of the Stars, Madison Opera, as well as others. International credits include productions in Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, France, and touring all of Western Europe.

HISTORY OF THE SHOW:

Audiences across the globe have been "singin' in the rain" since the movie-musical first premiered in 1952. Starring beloved Pittsburgh-native Gene Kelly, the film quickly tap danced its way into viewers' hearts. Following its wild success over the years, the film was eventually adapted for the stage over 30 years later.

Singin' in the Rain made its Broadway debut on July 2, 1985 at the Gershwin Theatre. In 1986, the show earned two Tony Award nominations for Best Book of a Musical and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Don Corria).

Following the show's closing in May 1986, Singin' in the Rain has danced on through multiple UK tours and West End revivals. This summer, Pittsburgh CLO is sure to recreate the magic of Tinseltown live on the Benedum Center stage.

ABOUT THE ORIGINAL CREATIVE TEAM:

Betty Comden and Adolph Green (Book) are the creative geniuses behind both the original screenplay of Singin' in the Rain (1952) and the later 1985 stage adaption. Together, the musical-comedy duo produced the lyrics, libretti and screenplays for some of Hollywood and Broadway's most beloved musical sensations. Some of pair's most cherished works include On the Town (book and lyrics), Peter Pan (lyrics), Wonderful Town (lyrics) and Bells Are Ringing (book and lyrics).

Nacio Herb Brown (Music) is the composer of many popular show tunes from the mid-20th century, many of which were collected in the original MGM production of Singin' in the Rain. Since his time as a composer, his songs continue to be featured both in movies and on television.

Arthur Freed (Music and Lyrics) often worked alongside composer Nacio Herb Brown to produce some of musical theater's most beloved melodies. Along with writing lyrics, he was one of Hollywood's most popular producers, producing movie-musicals including Brigadoon, An American in Paris, Show Boat, Annie Get Your Gun, Ziegfeld Follies, The Wizard of Oz and many more.

Tickets are available online at pittsburghCLO.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square. Tickets start at $35. Groups of 10 or more enjoy exclusive discounts and specialty packages. Call our Group Sales Hotline at 412-325-1582 for more information. Visit pittsburghCLO.org for further information.

Since 1946, the Pittsburgh CLO has been the driving force behind live musical theater in Pittsburgh and the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Under the direction of Van Kaplan since 1997, this not-for-profit arts organization appreciates the support of nearly 200,000 patrons each year and produces a subscription series, educational programs, national tours and develops and invests in new works, including 19 Broadway shows (25 Tony Awards) featuring the current productions of Cinderella, Kinky Boots and Matilda. Its dedication to the musical theater art form extends to include such programs as the CLO Academy, the CLO Mini Stars, the Gene Kelly Awards, the Richard Rodgers Award the National High School Musical Theater Awards, the Construction Center for the Arts and the CLO Cabaret.

Photo Credit: Seth Walters

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