Singin' in the Rain is the 169th production to be presented at the Westchester Broadway dinner theater in Elmsford, New York. It is also their most successfully executed production in recent years: sweet, simple, unpretentious—and a lot of fun. Directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, it is well-cast, well-staged, and well-rehearsed. The dancing, for the most part, feels effortless and natural. I preferred this production's star, Jeremy Benton—whose light, charming voice I found very appealing—to Don Correia, who starred in the 1985-86 Broadway production. Allie Schauer could not be more perfect as Lina Lamont, the silent-film diva who's not quite ready for talking pictures. Shannon M. O'Bryan and Cody Williams are serviceable in the other leading roles. On balance, I actually enjoyed this unassuming production more than I enjoyed the far more costly original Broadway production (adapted from the well-known MGM musical of the same name). It hangs together nicely, with a winning mix of humor, nostalgia, and romance. And I loved when—for the title number—it began raining on the stage (with audience members at ringside close enough to feel a bit of the spray from the water that was falling down). The script by Betty Comden & Adolph Green remains a delight; the vintage songs, including "Make ‘Em Laugh," "Good Morning" and "Broadway Melody" still work. I have a few quibbles—I wish the characters performing "Good Morning" sang a bit more to each other; they appeared largely unaware of each other, playing everything to the audience. And the show goes on a bit too long after its natural end-point. But those are minor complaints. Westchester Broadway has done right by this show.
Chip Deffaa
Cabaret Scenes
April 9, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org
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