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.
Article comments
1 - JC
This is fantastic review, but one minor note the Director's last name is Raben.
They should really bring this to Broadway!