Does the price of gas have you down? Want to see something other than negative campaign ads? What about that housing market? Well, I know just the ticket - Singin’ In The Rain at Cabrillo Music Theatre in Thousand Oaks. This is a production bound to please and lighten your mood. To quote one audience member, “I don’t know when I’ve seen a better show.”

Singin’ In The Rain is based, of course, on the classic movie musical by the same name. The movie starred Gene Kelly and featured Donald O’Connor and that relative newcomer, Debbie Reynolds. It featured songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, with screenplay adaptation by Comden and Green. The choreography was by Gene Kelly and Stanley Conan. The highly hummable score was filled with musical gems: “Good Morning,” "Make 'Em Laugh,” “You Are My Lucky Star,” “You Were Meant For Me,” and “Singin’ In The Rain.” The film featured the now-famous “Broadway Melody Ballet” dance by Kelly and Cyd Charisse, and it is rarely if ever performed on stage.

How do you approach a classic? You hire a great creative team. Larry Ruben does a terrific job as director; he captures the funny as well as the poignant in the piece, and he has cast a super group of actors to tackle those iconic roles.

Shanon Mari Mills has a sweet voice as Kathy Selden. Melissa Fahn, direct from LA’s Wicked, is hilarious as the vocally challenged Lina Lamont. She is bigger than life but never goes over the top. The Emmy award winning writer, West Point grad, and accomplished song and dance guy Randy Rogel, plays the Donald O’Connor role of Cosmo Brown. He dances the hell out of his big dance number, “Make 'Em Laugh,” and is every bit as funny as O’Connor, and that is saying a lot.

The lead role is danced and sung by Southern California’s answer to Gene Kelly, David Engel. He dances like no one else on our local stages. He is smooth and debonair, with a lovely tenor voice, handsome looks, and lightning-fast tapping feet. He also performs the above-mentioned “Broadway Melody Ballet” with his capable co-star Shanon Mari Mills. Mr. Engel also acted as choreographer, recreating most of the original dance moves and adding some of his own. I always look forward to the next David Engel performance.

Alby Potts is the musical director and conductor of the contracted Darryl Tanikawa Orchestra. He ensures the right balance between the orchestra and the singers. Special mention must be made of the production crew for the great rain sequence, and to David Engel for singing and dancing in the rain. Singin’ In The Rain runs through Aug 3rd at the Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.