Toe-Tapping Tunes in the Lyric Rep's 'Singin' in the Rain'

A stage adaption of one of the most popular movie-musicals of all time, Singin’ in the Rain, opens for the first time on the historic Caine Lyric Theatre stage in Logan Thursday, June 23. The original screenplay was by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed. Audiences may recognize favorite numbers that include “Good Morning,” “Moses Supposes,” “Make ‘Em Laugh” and, of course, the show-stopping title number, “Singin’ in the Rain.” Music direction for the Lyric Rep production is by Luke Shepherd.

The musical is presented by Utah State University’s Lyric Repertory Company and the Caine College of the Arts.

“The most challenging part about learning the singing and dancing routines in an energetic musical like Singin’ in the Rain is doing them with ease and making it look effortless,” Max Falls, Caine College of the Arts student and lead actor in the show, said. “When you have lines after a big song and dance you have to speak without appearing tired or out of breath.”

The musical follows a Hollywood film studio as it adapts its latest silent film into a “talkie.” From a starlet and her leading man to a love affair that has the potential to change lives and make or break careers, Singin’ in the Rain has all the makings of a Tinseltown tabloid headline.

Actors Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are an in demand item in silent movies but behind the scenes things aren’t quite the same. Lina’s squeaky voice might be the undoing of her career in “talkies” without the help of talented, young actress Kathy Selden to do the talking and singing for her.

“I think the Lyric Rep production of Singin’ in the Rain stands out because there aren’t many shows that call for rain to fall, but we will be using actual water on the Caine Lyric Theatre stage,” Falls said. “I think this will be a show people remember and talk about long after it’s over. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to play the role of Don Lockwood and I can’t wait to share it with audiences.”

Directed by Chris Will, the Singin’ in the Rain cast includes Max Falls (Don Lockwood), Cameron Blankenship (Cosmo Brown), Katie Francis (Kathy Selden), Kelly McGaw (Lina Lamont), W. Lee Daily (Rosco Dexter), Corey Ewan (R.F. Simpson), Savannah Hubbard (Zelda Zanders), Kenny Bordieri (Rod), Michael Francis (Production Singer) and Kinsey McCabe (Miss Dinsmore). Filling out the ensemble are Clarissa Boston, Parker Burningham, Camille Decker, Michael Francis, Christóbal Perez, Sean Peters, Shannon Leigh Peters, Anthony Othello Pratt Jr. and Gill Vaughn-Spencer.

“The cast is filled with so many wonderful and talented people and I’m lucky to have worked with most of them on previous projects during school,” Falls said. “I think because a lot of the cast is made up of students who knew each other prior to the show, it has made the process more enjoyable. We already work well together and have great chemistry.”

Opening June 23 and 24 with evening performances and June 25 with a matinee, Singin’ in the Rain runs on select dates through Aug. 6. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and curtain for matinees is at 1 p.m. The Saturday, June 23, evening performance is Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery.

Also part of the Lyric Rep 2016 season are Arsenic and Old Lace and You Can’t Take it With You which opens June 30.

For more information and tickets, call 435-797-8022, go see the Lyric Rep website or visit the Caine Lyric Theatre Box Office in downtown Logan at 28 West Center Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and one hour prior to curtain on performance dates.

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Writer and contact: Whitney Schulte, 435-797-9203, whitney.schulte@usu.edu