PREVIEW
Singin' in the Rain
Festival Players
Runs Dec. 19 to 23 and 26 to 30.
Festival Place
100 Festival Way
Sherwood Park
Tickets: Various prices. Call 780-449-3378 or visit www.festivalplace.ab.ca
If you’ve never seen Singin' in the Rain live, Festival Place is preparing to become a gigantic, water-drenched production running until Dec. 30.
Of course it won’t exactly be like the movie version with Gene Kelly splashing in puddles, but the Festival Players cast is committed to tap dancing into the audience’s heart.
Although the film was released in 1952, the action takes place in the 1920s. It's a time when the movie-making industry is undergoing a revolution as talking pictures displace silent films.
In the plot, glamorous movie star Lina Lamont (Alyson Horne) was huge during the silent film era. But her shrill voice and lack of singing ability is a surefire career-ender in talkies.
In her recent talkie, she stars opposite handsome leading man Don Lockwood (Stephen Allred), but early previews suggest it will be a disaster. Unknown Kathy Seldon (Maren Richardson) is hired to overdub Lina’s lines with her beautiful, lyrical voice.
Don falls in love with this lovely girl and badgers his wingman Cosmo (Mark Sinongco) to help him pursue her. Just as Kathy falls in love with Don, Lina discovers the romance. She views Kathy as competition and tries to destroy the younger woman’s career.
Filled with every memorable moment from the film and a downpour of unforgettable songs, it also features explosive tap numbers, exaggerated film satire and rich humour.
Although the plot focuses on the lives of half a dozen characters, there are 35 triple threats in the cast singing, dancing and acting. One of those triple threats is St. Albert’s Rhonda Kozuska as the wardrobe lady.
Costume designer Brian Bast has created more than 110 costumes for the cast, with some actors working through five costume changes.
Bast’s biggest challenge is trying to keep his actors dry in the rain scene especially Stephen Allred (Don) who takes the brunt of the shower.
“Don is the only one singing in the rain. I Scotchgarded his costume. I just hope there’s enough repellent to keep most of the rain off,” laughs Bast.
Bast has used both the ’20s and the ’50s to influence his designs.
“The ’20s had a stunning look, a pillaring look. There’s no waist in the dresses. I’ve bumped it to a boxer look. But Kathy, as the young ingenue is the innocent character, and I felt she needed something free-flowing with a lot of movement for dancing.”
Bast believes that from the moment the lights dim and the well-known cinematic score starts, theatregoers will be drawn into the story.
“It’s traditional family fare. I know people who have been coming here since the first show. The older crowd loves this type of show and it’s a great one to introduce kids to.”
