Singing in the Rain – ambitious and enthusiastic production wows audience

By Reviewed by Roberta Mallard

Special Burleson-Crowley-Cleburne UpClose

It’s the late 20’s and you’re in the movie-making industry. Things are going great, your actors need only to be dramatic, good-looking and make great facial expressions—after all, the audience can’t hear them.

That is, until the Jazz Singer hits the screen in 1927 and the "talkies" become "It."

Suddenly, that beautiful actress, with the great eyes whose voice sounds like a car screeching to a halt and hitting a metal building, is no longer your ride down easy street, but just may mean a trip into bankruptcy.

This is the storyline of Plaza Theatre’s current Musical Comedy, "Singin’ in the Rain" adapted from the 1952 movie of the same name which starred Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds.

R.F. Simpson (Richard Wooster), owner of Monumental Studios and in the business of silent films, has been very successful with the romantic screen-team of Don Lockwood (Kyle Adams) and Lena Lamont (Tina Barrus) starring in his films. In a effort to keep up with the times and compete with the "Jazz Singer," he plans to produce the studio’s first talkie.

Delusional and not too bright, Lamont fanaticizes that she has the voice of an angel and that Lockwood is, in reality, deeply in love with her. In fact, her aptitude and her dissonant speaking and singing voice prompts Lockwood and his long-time partner and friend, Cosmo Brown (J. Aaron Lett) to come up with a plan.

The scheme involves Kathy Seldon (Amy Atkins), a talented ingénue with the actual voice of an angel. The humorous and fast-paced action of "Singin in the Rain" becomes all about love and success with some very impressive costumes, dancing and singing.

Tina Barrus brought life and realism to the role of Lamont. Lett and Adams added energy to this musical comedy and J. Aaron Siler as the Director Roscoe Dexter, did a great job by flawlessly staying in character.

Of special note is the performance of Darcy Farrington as Dora Bailey, the Hedda Hopper, Hollywood Gossip-type. Farrington also transitioned into the ensemble and even kept in character during intermission. Camille Shaw gave a very funny performance as Zelda Zanders, Lamont’s sidekick and the rendition of Beautiful Girls by Andrew Guzman was skillful and excellent.

As always, JacSon Barrus outdid himself with set design which includes the ability to transform into a movie theater, a sound stage, a movie opening and a street scene with actual rain – very ambitious, very successful.

Kudos to a very talented Heather Simmons for creative choreography and to Music Director Cheri Mega for getting it right.

Central to the action was the actual re-creation of old-time movies by Curt Mega. These films held the action together and, in-fact created some of the best and most humorous moments.

With such great tunes as Fit as a Fiddle, You are my Lucky Star, Good Morning and Singin’ in the Rain, this musical is a must-see and runs through July 11. It will be followed by High School Musical opening July 17.

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