Review: SINGING IN THE RAIN at Stolen Shakespheare Guild

In 64 years since the famous film came out, the stage version of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN has never quite succeeded on The Great White Way, despite several attempts (a recent endeavor starring Derek Hough was postponed just last month). Nonetheless, Stolen Shakespeare Guild continues their tenth season with this well-known title. Although the musical's nostalgia does seem to charm audiences with its memorable score, ultimately, the magic and glamour of the film disappear in front of a live audience.

If you've been hiding under an umbrella for the past 6.5 decades, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is the story of silent film star Don Lockwood (Jared Kyle) dealing with his studio's transition into the new age of "talking pictures." Don, along with his clownish sidekick CosMo Brown (Tyler Jeffrey Adams), recruits the talent of young starlet Kathy Selden (Ally Van Deuren) to save their studio's first "talkie." The trouble is their leading lady, a dramatic and high-pitched studio diva, Lina Lamont (Emmie Kivell), whose shrill shriek doesn't quite match her famous face. Using Kathy's voice to dub over Lina's songs and scenes might save the film, but at what cost for Kathy? The musical boasts many classic songs, including "Good Morning," "Make 'Em Laugh," and of course the title song, "Singing In The Rain."

In their intimate black-box style space, Stolen Shakespeare Guild has made every effort to maximize the musical's strengths, using twenty eager performers to recreate the iconic choreography created for the film by Gene Kelly and director Stanley Donen (staged at SSG by choreographer Jessica Taylor). The result, unfortunately, is a predictable and occasionally stale series of songs. The audience knows exactly what to expect from Cosmo's comedic dance with the ragdoll, and there is no surprise when Don, Kathy and Cosmo tap dance right over The Edge of the couch in "Good Morning." Perhaps staging that fit both the space and performers enlisted would have allowed this local production to stand on its own, without being compared to the film version.

Director Nathan Dibben is able to avoid influence by the movie in most cases, but he struggles to create a seamless transition between scenes, allowing the dialogue to end abruptly with long blackouts and slow scene changes. Though the book writing is solely the fault of the show, his approach didn't seem to enhance the material in any way.

Fortunately, several actors elevate the performance tremendously. As Lina Lamont, Emmie Kivell is an absolute delight. Her appropriately annoying squeak is a riot, and her eleven o'clock number, "What's Wrong With Me," is one of the highlights of the evening. Unlike the talentless character she personifies, it is a shame Ms. Kivell didn't have more stage time. Similarly, Tyler Jeffrey Adams' over-the-top antics on stage carry the show with fresh energy. And, just like the character she plays, I believe that Ally Van Deuren is a rising star in the DFW theatre scene. Although Kathy Selden doesn't give Van Deuren much opportunity to display her talents, she shines in "You Are My Lucky Star," as well as in her trio with Adams and Jared Kyle in their song-and-dance trio, "Good Morning." Of the sixteen-person ensemble, Alexandra Cassens and Jonathan Speegle were standouts in their respective dance and vocal solos.

Nathan Dibben and Lauren Morgan's set may have been a bit cumbersome for the company to move so frequently, but they cleverly accomplished many grand locations with only a few moving pieces. Lights (designed by Nikki DeShea Smith) and props (designed by Jennifer Stewart and Jean Jeske) were well suited for the show. Lauren Morgan's costumes, particularly for the female dancers, enhance the actors with period-appropriate flourishes.

I applaud Stolen Shakespeare Guild for being a rather small company and attempting such a large-scale production. While SINGING IN THE RAIN might not be the best show to represent their efforts, there was plenty to enjoy throughout the evening. SINGING IN THE RAIN closes next weekend, Sunday, August 28th, 2016 at the Forth Worth Community Arts Center. For more information, visit www.stolenshakespeareguild.org.

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