EVERETT — Debbie Reynolds pioneered the role of Kathy Selden in the 1952 MGM movie “Singin’ in the Rain.” Though co-stars Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor had their doubts about the young woman, Reynolds became a star.
So on Dec. 28, the day Reynolds died, the cast of Village Theatre’s “Singin’ in the Rain” paid tribute to the 84-year-old actress, whose daughter, Carrie Fisher, had died the day before.
Mallory King, who plays Kathy Selden in the Village production, made a brief announcement at the top of the show in Issaquah. Some in the audience had not yet heard the news of Reynolds’ passing.
“On behalf of the company, Mallory dedicated the evening’s performance to Ms. Reynolds,” said theater spokeswoman Kelsi Lindus. “It was an emotional show for everyone — cast and audience alike.”
The stage musical, based on the movie, opens tonight at the Everett Performing Arts Center for an extended run through Feb. 5.
Good seats are still available, and the show is on track to be one of the best-selling shows in Village Theatre’s 37-year history, Lindus said. In fact, “Singin’” might beat the attendance records now held by Disney’s “Mary Poppins” two years ago.
The stage musical is a faithful adaptation of the movie. It was first staged in London and New York in the mid-1980s, and a Broadway revival is expected later this year.
The film version is generally recognized as one of the best movie musicals of all time.
No wonder, primarily because of the great recognizable songs, which include “Fit as a Fiddle,” “You Are My Lucky Star,” “Good Mornin,’” “Would You?” and “Singin’ in the Rain.”
Set in Hollywood during the waning days of silent movies, the story centers on silver screen star Don Lockwood as he deals with making the transition to talkies, alongside leading lady Lina Lamont and aspiring actress Kathy Selden.
Right off, let it be known that the show’s director Steve Tomkins and his crew of music directors, choreographers and designers in charge of costumes, lighting, sound and movable scenery are at the top of their games with this one.
And, yes, it’s a believable downpour on that stage. The creative and technical teams devised a system that allows 320 gallons of heated, recycled water to fall like rain onto the stage during each performance.
The show is funny, energetic, romantic and one that Tomkins has loved since he was a boy.
“One of the challenges of this show is figuring out how to make a musical that is adapted from a well-loved film flow cinematically,” said Tomkins when the show opened in Issaquah. “I couldn’t have asked for a more talented creative team and cast with which to make that happen. We’re incorporating a number of technically challenging special effects to really bring the story to life on stage.”
Also, incorporated into the musical are a number of short films, both silent and talking. In collaboration with local video production company ProMotion Arts, Village Theatre made these shorts using the show’s cast and additional actors.
Backed by one of Village’s outstanding pit orchestras, the magnificent John David Scott (“Mary Poppins,” “Funny Girl”) plays the Gene Kelly role of Don Lockwood, and Gabriel Corey (“Mary Poppins,” “Funny Girl”) takes the Donald O’Connor role of Lockwood’s old friend, Cosmo Brown.
Mallory King (“Billy Elliott”) does a great job as Kathy Selden, and Lina Lamont is played by Village Theatre and 5th Avenue favorite Jessica Skerritt, whose credits include “No Way To Treat A Lady,” “Xanadu, “The Sound of Music” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”
Other cast members include the talented Greg McCormick Allen and the funny Bobbi Kotula, along with Ethan Carpenter, Kate E. Cook, Brian D. Simmons, Jeff Steitzer, Ty Willis, Matt Wolfe, Caleb Adams, Adam Brozowski, Jenny Vaughn Hall, Carly Hebert, Rianna Hidalgo, Jordan Johnson, Nick Perry, Casey Raiha, Shelby Willis and Pamela Turpen.
Two young actors, Kai Johnson and Bryan Kinder (“Billy Elliott”), step into the roles of Young Don and Young Cosmo.
My mother — a 92-year-old who remembers when the movie was released and is a fan of those great songs — appreciated the work by the kids in the show, loved the comic timing and physicality by the main actors, and declared the rain “perfect.”
If you go
“Singin’ in the Rain” runs Jan. 6 through Feb. 5, Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $38 to $73. Call 425-257-8600.
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