BWW Reviews: A Classy SINGIN' IN THE RAIN at MTW

Singin' in the Rain/screenplay by Betty Comden & Adolph Green/songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed/directed and choreographed by Jon Engstrom/MTW, Long Beach/through July 26 only

Here's the scoop fror those newer generation theatre and movie fans who do not remember 1952's blockbuster hit film Singin' in the Rain. Directors Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly, screenwriters Betty Comden and Adolph Green and costars Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds all contributed to making it the smash that it was... and still is on cable like TCM. The zany lightweight hit transferred to the stage in the early 80s and showed the craziness that may have happened when the big movie studios were transitioning from silents to talkies in the late 20s. Now in a classy revival at Musical Theatre West (MTW) in Long Beach, it's all brought back to exuberantly colorful life by skilled director Jon Engstrom and a delicious company of triple threats through July 26 only.

The stage version follows the screenplay to the letter. Fictional silent film romantic stars Don Lockwood (Leigh Wakeford) and Lina Lamont (Rebecca Ann Johnson), who are professional partners only, at least by his account, are being interviewed on the red carpet in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre at the start of an opening of their latest endeavor. Lockwood relates how he and Cosmo Brown (Justin Michael Wilcox) were boyhood friends who stayed together as dance partners on the way up the ladder to success. When Kathy Selden (Natalie Macdonald) unwillingly saves Lockwood from a mob of screaming fans, there is an instant attraction between them, but she is aware of Lamont even though he insists she is not a love interest. Selden ignores his advances and at an after party tries to hit him in the face with a cream pie, but accidentally hits Lamont instead. A furious Lamont has her thrown out. But Kathy stays on Lockwood's mind and when he finally finds her, she is also working at Monumental Pictures in another film ("You Were Meant For Me''). As the studio switches to talking pictures, Lamont just cannot cut it with her irritatingly high-pitched tones. In fact, she cannot even learn to use a microphone - providing some very comedic moments. Eventually, Selden replaces her by dubbing in both dialogue and songs, unbeknownst of course to Lamont. When she does find out via a snitch, what appeared to be a dumb girl turns into a pretty shrewd and conniving businesswoman who insists that she be the studio's exclusive star and that Selden stay on as her backup, hurting Selden's own promising career. Alas when the audience hears Lamont's natural tones, they boo her and scream for Selden's multi-talents instead.

Comden and Green's delicious writing allows for some wonderful comedy onstage. Then as you witness the stage actors on film on a drop-down screen in their final product, this whole transformation serves to doubly enhance audience enjoyment. This is truly a vicious backstage story not only of the stars of that era but also of the studio executives like R.F. Simpson (Jeff Austin), director Roscoe Dexter (Steve Owsley) and the coaches that were hired to assist the stars make the transition. Spend more money to make money and to save their asses... all in the guise of pleasing the movie-going public. The petty as well as humongous struggles are shown via the entertaining script as well as through Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed's memorable score which includes: "You Stepped Out of a Dream", "All I Do Is Dream of You", the infectious "Make 'Em Laugh", "You Are My Lucky Star", the title song, toe-tappin' "Broadway Melody" and the upbeat "Good Morning". Engstrom, who choreographs as well as directs every so lovingly, recreates a wonderful street scene in the rain for the tile song with a spectacular turn by Wakeford and some equally dynamic dance movements for the three actors in"Good Morning". The sets by Michael Anania, costumes by Karen St. Pierre and lighting by Dan Weingarten are all top-notch.

The ensemble indeed stepped out of a dream. Wakeford is handsome and ever so charming as the leading song and dance man. Johnson as Lamont is pure joy. She doesn't sing in this show but it takes a great singer to be able to pull off Lamont's lack of vocal talent. Brava! Macdonald is precious as Selden and has a lovely singing style. Wilcox is a scene stealer as Cosmo, fearless and adept at climbing walls as well as running through brick walls. In smaller roles, Alison England stands out as the boisterous reporter on the red carpet and later on as Lamont's stuffy dialect coach. Kudos as well to the 13-member ensemble who dance and tap up a storm throughout and to musical director John Glaudini and the orchestra for those fabulous sounds and arrangements.

Run, don't walk, to get tix to MTW's Singin' in the Rain! Most performances are already sold out.It will surely put a smile on your face and...for all of us water conservationists, the water used in the rain sequence is being recycled and donated to the nearby college. Bravo!

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