Gene Kelly’s work on stage has inspired two musicals: An American in Paris and, of course, Singin’ in the Rain. The latter being the classic MGM musical about the advent of sound in motion pictures and the havoc that wreaks on the silent-film duo of Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont. It was inevitable the movie would make the transfer to stage and it did in 1985 with Twyla Tharp directing. McCoy Rigby Entertainment just launched their production with three performances over the weekend at The Soraya. Now the extended run begins on Friday at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. Singin’ in the Rain will run through May 12th.
Michael Starr plays Don Lockwood and Sara King plays Lina Lamont. Cosmo Brown (the Donald O’Connor role), Lockwood’s best friend and collaborator, is played by Brandon Burks. And Don’s love interest, Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds role) is played here by Kimberly Immanuel.
Spencer Liff, who choreographed Falsettos (the touring production opens this week at the Ahmanson) and Hedwig and the Angry Inch, both directs and choreographs this production.
The musical is blessed with some of the greatest songs ever to appear on screen or stage. They include “Good Mornin’,” “Make ‘Em Laugh,” “You Are My Lucky Star” and the title song – all written by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed. The book is by Betty Comden and Adolph Green.
Photo shows Michael Starr, Kimberly Immanuel and Brandon Burks. Photo by Austin Bauman
For tickets go here.