Freestone's City Grill
'Singin' in the Rain' deluges audience with talentBy Richard Pacheco, Standard-Times correspondent FALL RIVER -- The Little
Theatre of Fall River's production of "Singin' in the Rain" is bold and
sassy fun, tinged with nostalgia and propelled by strong performances.
The merry musical,
based on the MGM movie, takes a look at Hollywood as talking pictures are
ready to replace silent films. At the crux of the story is the famed
silent film team of Lockwood and Lamont. There is only one problem with
Ms. Lamont's transition to "talkies" -- her squeaky voice. It's also a
tale of romance between blazing star Lockwood and a young hopeful from the
Midwest, Kathy Selden. "Singin' in the Rain" is a
cheerful romp brought vividly to life by a dashing cast. Michael Coury
leads the way as Don Lockwood, the larger-than-life star.
Mr. Coury is just right in the role. Lean and lanky, he dances up a storm,
sings with flair and handles the role with sass. No matter what the song,
he has a handle on it. From the romantic "You Were Meant For Me" to the
boisterous and rollicking, "Good Mornin'," he is agile and almost
effortless. His "Singin' in the Rain" -- arguably Gene Kelly's most famous
screen moment -- is full of verve, poise and dauntless energy, deft
dancing and zest.
Dee Kullander hits the comic bull's-eye as the squeaky-voiced Lina Lamont.
Ms. Kullander handles the somewhat dippy, always funny character with real
verve and savvy.
Jaimie Raposa is the epitome of the ingenue as Kathy Selden. She's sleek,
sings with power and poise, and dances up a storm. Singing "You Are My
Lucky Star," she is unerringly on the mark, her voice strong, her sense of
nuance and emotion downright elegant. John Dias is a
picture-perfect best friend as Cosmo Brown. As a dancer, he's like a
tornado, spinning across the stage with incredible pizzazz. His comic
"Make 'em Laugh" is a dazzling display, loaded with sharp dancing, and he
sings it all with sincere energy. There some solid support
along with this stellar leading cast. Jerry Goldberg is often a laugh riot
as the director Roscoe Dexter. Bruce Kullander is movie mogul R.F.
Simpson, and after some minor rough spots, he rampages into the role with
style. Peggy Deston is fine as the Hedda Hopper-type Dora Bailey. The rest of the large cast,
including numerous children, give this show the breadth and style it
deserves.
Co-directors Janice MacDonald and Jeff Belanger keep this huge cast
zipping right along and never crowd the stage. They capture the heart and
merriness of this show and keep the fine cast elegantly on the mark.
Co-choreographers
Ms. MacDonald and Mr. Coury provide sleek moves, flash and sass that moves
the show along almost effortlessly with style and grace. The musical direction by
Jane Fiore-Bigelow is smartly on target, full of the mood and movie magic
of the songs, never flagging. "Singin' in the Rain" is a
fun-filled Hollywood spoof that gallops along with good-spirited fun and
some keen performances. The company earned a well-deserved standing
ovation. The
musical will be presented again at the Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center
Theater at Bristol Community College, Elsbree Street, Fall River, at 8
tonight and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 with discounts available for
students, seniors and groups. For reservations or information, call (508)
675-1852.
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