Singin’ in the Rain

Singin’ in the Rain

Betty Comden & Adolph Green (Book); Arthur Freed (Lyrics);

Nacio Herb Brown (Music)

South Bay Musical Theatre

I am a sucker for tap-dancing, especially when a stage is packed to the gill with smiling, arm-swinging tappers that uniformly are toe-heel clicking up a storm and singing at the same time in full, fine voice.  For that reason alone, I can heartily recommend grabbing a ticket to South Bay Musical Theatre’s upbeat, well-performed Singin’ in the Rain, the 1980’s stage version of the ever popular, 1952 film that almost any movie fan on earth loves to love and has probably seen multiple times.  The fact that this cast of thirty not only can tap but also keep us laughing during many screwball comedic moments, swaying to songs familiar, and rooting for the happy, romantic ending we know is coming – all that only means an evening at the Saratoga Civic Theatre is going to be a trip down memory lane well-worth taking.

The original film’s Betty Comden/Adolph Green authored story (with music by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Arthur Freed) first came to the stage largely intact in a 1983 London opening, followed by a New York bow in 1985.  A promised 2017 revival on the Great White Way was unfortunately shelved, making the SBMT’s decision to stage the musical a great chance to see a well-loved film come to full life on the stage.

Please continue to Talkin’ Broadway for the rest of my review.

Rating: 4.5 E

A Theatre Eddys Best Bet Production

Singin’ in the Rain continues through June 3, 2023, in production by South Bay Musical Theatre at the Saratoga Civic Theatre, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA.  Tickets are available online at https://southbaymt.com.

Please note:  All patrons must wear well-fitting masks inside the theatre.

Photo Credit: Dave Lepori