Singin’ in the Rain brings all-around fun

Geoffrey Tyler, who plays Don
Lockwood, sings a portion of the
title song during a media preview
of Singin' in the Rain at the
Mae Wilson Theatre at the Moose
Jaw Cultural Centre on July 30.
The show runs until Aug. 17.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Director: Evie Koop Sawatzky

Musical director: Michael Barber

Choreographer: Jay T. Schramek

Remaining shows: Aug. 14-17, Mae Wilson Theatre, Moose Jaw Cultural Centre

After watching Singin’ in the Rain, it’s impossible to leave the theatre without a smile.

Put on by RuBarb Productions Inc. in the Mae Wilson Theatre at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre, the show is based off the classic film from 1952. With a mix of song, dance and video footage, there are more than enough laughs and enjoyment to go around. It’s just a big ball of fun that everyone is sure to fall in love with.

Singin’ in the Rain deals with the transition from silent movies to talkies in Hollywood. Silent film star Don Lockwood (Geoffrey Tyler) puts up with his leading lady, the shallow Lina Lamont (Aubree Erickson), who believes their on-screen romance is real off-screen.

Everything changes when the first talking picture, The Jazz Singer, is released and becomes a hit. The head of the studio insists on making the latest Lockwood and Lamont film, The Dueling Cavalier, a talkie. The biggest obstacle in the way is Lina, whose voice is best described as screechy and grating.

When a test screening of the film comes with disastrous results, Don’s best friend, Cosmo Brown (Jay T. Schramek) comes up with an idea to dub Lina’s voice using the voice of Kathy Selden (Jennifer Stewart) and turn the film into a musical called The Dancing Cavalier.

Meanwhile, Don falls in love with Kathy, who is an aspiring actress he’s been looking to find for weeks. But after Lina finds out about the plan to dub her voice, she is furious and determined to ruin Kathy’s career and save herself.

All of the cast members did a fabulous job. Tyler captures the essence of Don Lockwood brilliantly. With top-notch singing and dancing, he portrays the dignified, public side of the character just as well as the entertaining and intimate moments in the character’s private side.

Of particular mention is the title song, Singin’ in the Rain, in which he tap dances and sings on stage during a rainstorm. The effects, in addition to his performance, were fantastic.

Stewart did a great job of combining the sweetness to be loved about Kathy Selden and has a voice to match that. Her talent is showcased particularly in the songs, You Are My Lucky Star, Would You and her duet with Tyler, You Were Meant For Me. She too shows off her dancing skills.

The actor who brings the most comedy to the show, timed to perfection, is Jay T. Schramek, who also choreographed the show. Cosmo Brown is a fun, loveable, laughable character who tap dances with ease.

Geoffrey Tyler as Don Lockwood (left), Jennifer
Stewart as Kathy Selden and Jay T. Schramek as
Cosmo sing a portion of the song Good Morning
during a media preview of Singin' in the Rain at
the Mae Wilson Theatre at the Moose Jaw Cultural
Centre on July 30. The show runs until Aug. 17.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

Schramek gives a superb incarnation of the character. From his superior tap dancing skills and other dance moves, Schramek’s facial expressions go along with his singing and witty moments perfectly.

This is particularly showcased in Moses Supposes, a duet with Tyler, and especially in his solo performance of Make ‘Em Laugh. The version in the movie is known for displaying great physical comedy and Schramek does this to perfection. His performance incites laughter and smiles from everyone in the crowd.

Erickson nailed the role of Lina, brining a special kind of hilarity to the character. This is shown at its greatest moment during her song What’s Wrong With Me. Erickson sings perfectly off-key, which is undoubtedly an incredibly difficult feat to pull off.

On the technical side, the effects were outstanding. There are also several sequences where old movies are portrayed on a screen in black and white that transports anyone back into the era where the play is set.

Complete with a live orchestra in the pit, Singin’ in the Rain brings a fun-filled cast to make for a most enjoyable evening. Even after exiting the theatre, those famous tunes bounce around in the mind. After all, it is a glorious feeling to be happy again.

*** This review appeared in the Aug. 13, 2014 edition of the Moose Jaw Times-Herald weekly publication, FYi.