Tony Yazbeck Replaces Sean Palmer in Drury Lane Theatre's SINGIN' IN THE RAIN

Kyle DeSantis, Executive Producer of Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, announced today that Broadway actor Tony Yazbeck will take over the role of "Don Lockwood" in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, replacing Sean Palmer who suffered an injury. The production, which is currently in previews, will now have its press opening on Friday, Nov. 30 at 8:30pm. Yazbeck will go into the production on Wednesday, November 21.

Yazbeck's Broadway credits include starring as "Billy Flynn" in the long running revival of CHICAGO, "Phil Davis" in Irving Berlin's White Christmas, "Tulsa" in the recent revival of Gypsy starring Patti LuPone (for which he earned an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination), "Al" in A Chorus Line, Never Gonna Dance, Oklahoma! and Gypsy with Tyne Daly. His Off-Broadway credits include the City Center Encores! productions of On The Town, Gypsy, The Apple Tree, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Pardon My English, as well as the York Theatre production of Fanny Hill.

Also starring in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is Jenny Guse as "Kathy Selden" (Follies at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, 42nd Street at Marriott Theatre and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at Theatre at the Center); Matthew Crowle as "Cosmo" (Spamalot on Broadway, the National Tour of Doctor Dolittle directed by Tommy Tune, and Gypsy at Drury Lane Theatre) and Drama Desk Award nominee Melissa van Der Schyff as "Lina Lamont" ("Blanche Barrow" in Bonnie and Clyde on Broadway and "Mary Jane" in Big River on Broadway). The production is directed by Bill Jenkins (Chair of Ball State University's Department of Theatre and Dance, winner of the MATC Fellowes Award for Outstanding Achievement and Director of Drury Lane Theatre's Seven Brides for Seven Brothers). Through his leadership, Jenkins has elevated Ball State's theatre and dance program through impressive professional affiliations. This includes the original Ball State musical The Circus in Winter being selected to participate in the 2012 NAMT (National Alliance of Musical Theatre) Conference in New York. He also co-directed the Department's recent production of The Drowsy Chaperone with multiple Tony Award winner Sutton Foster.

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN has been hailed as "Blissful!" by the New York Times and "Pure joy…hugely engaging!" by The Telegraph. The musical, based on the 1952 film starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, is named the #1 Greatest Movie Musical of all time by the American Film Institute and called "The happiest movie musical ever made!" by The New York Times and "A transcendent experience!" by the Chicago Sun-Times. The original London production opened in 1983, followed by the Broadway premiere in 1985. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN has been nominated for two Tony Awards including Best Book of a Musical, and features music by Nacio Herb Brown, lyrics by Arthur Freed, with the book adapted by Betty Comden and Adolph Green.

Set in glitzy, glamorous Hollywood in the roaring '20s, this lighthearted and funny tale centers on Don Lockwood, a film star who finds love while navigating the ever-changing world of showbiz. Don and Lina Lamont are the toast of Tinseltown and the biggest silent stars at Monumental Pictures, but when their latest film is set to be a "talkie," the studio executives need to find a way to conceal Lina's terrible voice. Up-and-coming starlet Kathy Seldon, Don's new girlfriend, is hired to provide the on-screen voice for Lina but complications quickly arise. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is a feel-good love story that features exhilarating choreography and a glorious score including "Good Morning," "Make "em Laugh," "Moses Supposes" and "Singin' in the Rain."