Ogunquit’s ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ Makes Spectacular Splash

June 25, 2023June 28, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of *‘Singin’ in the Rain’* at Ogunquit Playhouse. Photo by Nile Hawver, Nile Scott Studios

‘Singin’ in the Rain’ – Story by Betty Comden and Adolph Green; Lyrics by Arthur Freed; Music by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown; Based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Inc. Directed by Jayme McDaniel; Musical Direction by Matt Smedal; Choreography by Kristyn Pope;
Scenic Design by Andy Walmsley; Costume Design by Dustin Cross; Lighting Design by Richard Latta; Sound Design by Germán Martinez. Presented by Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit, ME, through July 15

By Linda Chin

No show fits Ogunquit Playhouse’s description as a self-producer of “big splashy musicals and side-splitting comedies” that attracts “casts of stars on its historic stage” better than Singin’ in the Rain, the spectacular romantic musical comedy based on the legendary MGM film. First staged at OP in 2009, director Jayme McDaniel returns to helm this production, Kristin Pope choreographs, and Matthew Smedal music directs. Broadway’s Max Clayton (Music Man) as leading man Don Lockwood, Christian Probst as BFF Cosmo Brown, Chiara Trentalange as actress Kathy Selden, Kate Loprest as co-star Lina Lamont, Greg Jackson as director Roscoe Dexter, Lance Roberts as producer R.F. Simpson and 19 ensemble members show their acting and singing chops, and literally – dance up a storm.

Ogunquit’s ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ Will Give Audiences a “Glorious Feeling”

June 21, 2023June 28, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Max Clayton in *Singin’ in the Rain’* at Ogunquit Playhouse. Photo by Nile Hawver, Nile Scott Studios

‘Singin’ in the Rain’ – Story by Betty Comden and Adolph Green; Lyrics by Arthur Freed; Music by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown; Based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Inc. Directed by Jayme McDaniel; Musical Direction by Matt Smedal; Choreography by Kristyn Pope; Scenic Design by Andy Walmsley; Costume Design by Dustin Cross; Lighting Design by Richard Latta; Sound Design by Germán Martinez. Presented by Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit, ME, through July 15

by Mike Hoban

It’s always a challenge when an iconic movie musical – particularly one as beloved as ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ – is brought to the stage. Comparisons to legendary performers are inevitable, and when you include complex dance routines that are also among the most recognizable of all time (Gene Kelly’s title song and dance number and Donald O’Connor’s “Make ‘Em Laugh”), the stakes are sky-high. Luckily for the audiences of Ogunquit’s excellent staging of the classic, the cast and production team serve up a winner that ups the comedy quotient while still delivering first-rate performances of the musical’s song and dance routines.

Theatre by the Sea’s “Singing in the Rain” Shines

June 18, 2019June 22, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(Tim Falter as Don Lockwood in SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN live on stage at Theatre By The Sea thru July 13, 2019. Photos by Steven Richard Photography)

Reviewed by Tony Annicone You won’t hear people singing in the rain this year because we’ve been having a very rainy year and are sick of it. However when you come to see it rain in the theatre it will definitely put a smile on your face, a song in your heart and your feet tapping away. The second summer blockbuster musical for Theatre by the Sea’s 86th season is “Singing in the Rain”, the 1985 stage version of the classic 1952 movie. It starred Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds and was directed and choreographed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen. The show was written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and is set in 1927 Hollywood. It is a light hearted musical romantic comedy about the early days of sound film, when many a studio found itself scrambling due to the career of chipmunk-voiced silent film stars.