The latest ambitious project at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre is the stage version of “Singin’ in the Rain,” a show full of singing, dancing, romancing, and goofing around.
The cast at SCERA has big shoes to fill. “Singin’ in the Rain” is widely regarded as one of the best movie musicals of all time, and the film starred Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds — who can live up to any of that?
And yet some of these SCERA performers step right up to the plate and knock one out of the park. Jason Webb, one of the best actors in the valley, takes the Gene Kelly role as Don Lockwood, a silent-movie icon who is supposed to be in love with his co-star, but who actually loves another actress. That actress, Kathy Selden, is played by Melia Erdmann.
Webb and Erdmann have excellent, gorgeous singing voices, and Webb even looks a little like Gene Kelly, especially when he grins, which is usually. Both come across as so likable and genuine, it’s easy to be caught up in their Hollywood love story.
Playing Lockwood’s best friend Cosmo Brown is Jaelan Petrie. Petrie might have the toughest job here: performing the famous “Make ’em Laugh” slapstick sequence originally done so brilliantly by Donald O’Connor. Petrie doesn’t even try to run up the walls like O’Connor did, nor does he try to imitate O’Connor in too many other ways. Instead, he makes the part his own with some truly impressive pratfalls, gymnastics and acrobatic, energetic goofiness. Petrie breathes life into a show that occasionally drags a little.
Also worthy of mention is Jolene Sayers as Lina Lamont, Lockwood’s on-screen love interest who would like to be his off-screen lover too. The joke here — in fact, the basic joke of the whole show — is that Lamont LOOKS great, but has a terrible voice. This doesn’t matter in the Roaring ’20s, when movies don’t talk — but once sound comes in, it becomes a huge problem. Her adoring fans have never heard her speak before, and the studio knows that when they do, they’ll be wanting their money back.
Sayers is terribly funny as Lamont, particularly in the scene where a “talkie” is first attempted. Her intentional lack of dignity makes the character all the more annoying and stupid, and she’s a joy to watch.
Director Syd Riggs — who also did last summer’s major production of “Crazy for You” — achieves almost the same greatness with “Singin’ in the Rain.” There’s some great dancing from the ensemble, and of course good singing. Some pretty solid laughs, too. If there is a flaw with this show, it’s one that’s inherent in the script: Some of the songs range from being merely unmemorable to being downright lame. “Singin’ in the Rain” is a classic, of course, and “Make ’em Laugh” and “Moses Supposes” will stick with you. But beyond that, it’s only been 24 hours, and I can’t recall a single melody from any of the other songs (“You Are My Lucky Star,” “You Were Meant for Me,” etc.). The cast members sing them well enough; they’re just not very good songs, more generic than meaningful. (“Good Morning” is memorable, but only because the tune is maddeningly, irritatingly catchy. In fact, it won’t leave my brain, and I may claw my face off.)
But aside from that, “Singin’ in the Rain” is a gloriously entertaining, fun show. Don’t miss your chance to see community theater at its best.