Jake Delaney, Katherine Walker Hill and Danny Boman to Star in Cumberland County Playhouse's SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, 4/24-7/12

Cumberland County Playhouse announces the return of one of its most popular musicals, Singin' in the Rain.

This stage adaptation of the beloved 1952 MGM film will star California natives and Playhouse newcomers Jake Delaney and Danny Boman as Don Lockwood and Cosmo Brown and Cumberland County native Katherine Walker Hill as ingénue Kathy Selden. Mr. Delaney most recently appeared in the national tours of The Addams Family and Fiddler on the Roof and Mr. Boman appeared in the national tours of My Fair Lady and Fiddler. Both actors also have extensive experience in regional theater. Ms. Walker Hill, who first appeared on the Playhouse stage at the age of five when she played Mollie in Annie, received her BFA in Musical Theatre from Webster Conservatory and has been working as a professional actress in New York for nine years. "I'm thrilled to be able to come home to Cumberland County Playhouse and be part of its fiftieth anniversary," she said.

Director Britt Hancock said, "I'm very happy to be at the helm of this iconic musical after playing the role of Don Lockwood in CCP's 2006 production. And I'm delighted to announce that some of the advanced tappers from our Triple Threat Education Program will be part of choreographer Leila Nelson's spectacular tap routines." Associate Producing Director Bryce McDonald added, "Singin' in the Rain is always a crowd pleaser. It has a great story, a great score, wonderful characters, glamorous period sets and costumes... and, of course, it actually rains on stage!"

Singin' in the Rain is set in the Roaring Twenties when handsome, dashing Don Lockwood and his glamorous co-star Lina Lamont were the brightest stars in Hollywood. But times change, and 1927's advent of "talking pictures" caused the crash of careers and fortunes, as audiences quickly lost interest in silent films and many of their stars. Some stars thrived and new careers were born. The MGM film endures as "America's best movie musical" (according to the American Film Institute) because of its story of hope, resilience and the power of love and friendship to see us through tough times. That spirit shines through the stage adaptation, along with the razor-sharp comedy, sweet romance and the hit parade of unforgettable songs like "Singin' in the Rain," "Good Morning," and "Make 'Em Laugh."

Rounding out the cast are Leila Nelson as Lina Lamont, Bobby Taylor as producer R.F. Simpson and Jason Ross as director Roscoe Dexter, along with Playhouse favorites Daniel Black, John Dobbratz, Carol Irvin, Lindsey Mapes, Lauren Marshall, Michael Ruff, Caitlin Schaub and Chaz Sanders.

Singin' in the Rain opens April 24 on the Mainstage, runs through July 12, is rated G and is co-sponsored by Beltone Hearing Aid Center and Dr. Vianney Villaruz, MD, Cardiology CMM-CMG.

Currently at the Playhouse: Southern Fried Funeral by Nashville playwrights Osborne and Eppler plays on the Mainstage through April 17. The show is rated PG and is sponsored by The Beef & Barrel, The Blind Zebra and Red's Ale House. Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash, featuring Kellye Cash, Tennessee's Miss America and Johnny's niece plays in The Adventure Theater through June 9. The show is rated PG and is co-sponsored by Mariner's Pointe Resort and Senator Paul Bailey.

Pictured: Jake Delaney, Katherine Walker Hill and Danny Boman star in Singin' in the Rain at the Playhouse.

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