San Diego Musical Theatre's SINGIN' IN THE RAIN Opens This Weekend

San Diego Musical Theatre announces the second production of their 2015 season, Singin' in the Rain, May 22 - June 7, 2015 (press opening on Saturday, May 23), at the Spreckels Theatre on Broadway in downtown San Diego.

You remember the plot. You love the characters. You know "the song." It's no less than the stage adaptation of one of the most celebrated and beloved films of all time. Each unforgettable scene, song and dance, is accounted for, including the show-stopping title number, complete with an onstage rainstorm (with recycled water)! 1920′s Hollywood is the setting for this zany, light-hearted romantic comedy about the early days of sound film, when many a movie studio found itself scrambling to salvage the career of its chipmunk-voiced silent picture star.

Screenplay by Betty Comden & Adolph Green, Songs by Nacio Herb Brown & Arthur Freed.

The SINGIN' IN THE RAIN production team includes: Director: Todd Nielsen (SDC**); Choreographer: Jill Gorrie; Music Director: Don LeMaster; Lighting Design: Matt Novotny; Sound Design: Kevin Anthenill; Costume Coordinator: Janet Pitcher; Stage Manager: Amy Duffy*; and Production Manager: Bret Young. *Equity ; ** Stage Directors and Choreographers.

TODD NIELSEN (Director) is excited to be bringing another classic Hollywood musical to the SDMT stage....perhaps the greatest from the Golden Age of Hollywood! Previously, Todd has had the pleasure of directing/co-choreographing one of San Diego's newest holiday traditions, White Christmas for SDMT. (And we'll be back for our fourth year this holiday!) He also directed and choreographed SDMT's award-winning production of The Sound of Music. Speaking of films on stage, Todd also served as Resident Director of Disney's The Lion King, Cheetah National Tour, which was a most amazing adventure! An award winning and oft nominated director/choreographer, recent projects include The 39 Steps and 1776 for Glendale Centre Theatre, Let's Misbehave, Don't Dress For Dinner and Master Class for ICT in Long Beach, Proposals for the Norris Theatre, Company for Chapman University, Dames At Sea for the Colony Theatre in Burbank, A New Brain for Musical Theatre Guild, and The Wiz for AMDA. For the International Mystery Writers Festival in Owensboro, KY, Todd directed the world premiere mystery, Absolutely Dead featuring Kathy Garver. Other past projects include Urinetown, Lend Me a Tenor and Godspell for Chapman University, Phantom for Moonlight Stage Productions, No Sex Please, We're British for the Norris Theatre, The Robber Bridegroom, Frankie and Johnnie in the Claire de Lune and How the Other Half Loves at ICT, Plaid Tidings for the Oregon Cabaret Theatre, Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Welk Resort and Disney's Beauty and the Beast for the Croswell Opera House. On the other side of the footlights Todd spent six months this past year performing at Tuacahn Amphitheatre in Utah in The Wizard Of Oz, The Little Mermaid and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. And will be appearing this summer for Moonlight Stage Productions in All Shook Up! Huge Hollywood thanks to Erin, Gary, Jill, Jill, Bret, Amy, Amy, Don and our great company of artists and creative staff!! And love to Jon!

JILL GORRIE (Choreographer) Choreography credits include: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Intrepid Shakespeare), Gary Goldfarb: Master Escapist (New York Musical Theatre Festival), Romance Romance, Humbug Holiday Spectacular, Man With A Load of Mischief (North Coast Repertory Theatre), Aida, Hairspray, Singin' in the Rain (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), The People Vs. Mona (Off- Broadway), Oklahoma!, Hello Dolly (Westchester Broadway Theatre), A Little Night Music, Pal Joey and I Love A Piano (SDSU). Jill is the Associate Choreographer of the international production of Grease, which has been touring the world for the past 15 years. A graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts (BFA Dance) and San Diego State University (MFA Musical Theatre), Jill loves teaching and has served on the faculty at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (NYC), CAP21 (NYU), as well as many other colleges and private studios in the US, Canada, Germany, Italy, and South Africa.

DON LE MASTER (Musical Director/Conductor) A native of San Diego, Don has been a working musician in the world of theatre for 30 years. He has been the resident musical director for SDMT, since its inception. He has musically directed and conducted many shows: A Christmas Carol, I Love You You're Perfect Now Change, Cabaret (San Diego Rep), American Rhythm, Boomers (Lamb's Players), Superstar, Once On This Island, Ragtime and 1776 - Ovation nomination (Performance Riverside), and many others at Moonlight, Cygnet, Starlight, South Bay Cities, North Coast Rep and McCoy Rigby. The San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, honored Don with an Outstanding Musical Direction Craig Noel award for the Full Monty and The Sound of Music. Don was recently nominated, by the Critics Circle, for Next To Normal. Don performs at Martini's Above Fourth with the fabulous Ria Carey and a solo gig at The Imperial House. "Without music my life would be a mistake."

The SINGIN' IN THE RAIN cast features: Brandon Davidson* (Don Lockwood); Brittany Hammond* (Kathy Seldon); Cameron Lewis* (Cosmo Brown); Andi Davis (Lina Lamont). *Member of Actors Equity Association

BRANDON DAVIDSON (Don Lockwood) is thrilled to return to SDMT. New York and National Tour credits: Uprising of Love Concert (Gershwin Theatre), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (cast album) and No, No, Nanette (Encores!), White Christmas (1st National Tour & The Kennedy Center), I Am Harvey Milk. Regional credits include Warner in Legally Blonde and Freddie in My Fair Lady (Stages St. Louis), 42nd Street (Goodspeed), Bobby in A Chorus Line (SDMT), Joe in Damn Yankees. Brandon has performed with the Boston Pops and earned his BFA from Boston Conservatory. Brandon currently studies premed at Columbia University & Hunter College, NYC.

BRITTANY ROSE HAMMOND (Kathy Seldon) "Bitty" is so happy you are supporting live theatre tonight! You're awesome. This bi-coastal dance teacher/choreographer is excited to be on the best coast for the longest time in a while, having recently closed 3DT's Seussical starring Cathy Rigby (Bird Girl). In 2014 she played Johanna in Sweeney Todd with OCC Symphony, followed by They're Playing Our Song (Ego) & How To Succeed... (Feat. Ens/Dance Capt.) both at STAGES St. Louis. The year prior she enjoyed touring the U.S., Canada, & Japan with the recent HAIR revival. For all other adventures visit BrittanyRoseHammond.com! Running, snowboarding, and pretending she can beatbox are at the top of her non-theatrical hobby list. SO MUCH LOVE: God, Gretchen, family, BFFs, students, Beth, Dave Secor, & RKS Mgmt.

CAMERON LEWIS (Cosmo Brown) hails from Seattle Washington. He is thrilled to make his San Diego debut. Regional: 42nd street, The Producers, Dames at Sea, Swing, Carousel, Joseph..., Miss Saigon, Gypsy, White Christmas and the new Musical Iron Curtain by Susan DiLallo with music by Stephen Weiner and lyrics by Peter Mills. Touring: The Wizard of OZ (Scarecrow), and Sesame Street Live. Proud member of Actors Equity.

ANDI DAVIS (Lina Lamont) is SO excited to be making her SDMT debut, she ceeean't steeeand it! Past credits include; "Inga" in Young Frankenstein at Musical Theatre West (Ovation Nomination; 'Best Featured Actress'), "Evelyn Nesbit" in Ragtime and had the honor of stepping into the iconic heels of "Vivian" in the staged reading of the Broadway-bound musical, Pretty Woman under the direction of the legendary Garry Marshall. TV/Film credits: Tosh.O, New Girl and the upcoming feature film Heaven Sent. Special kudos to Mary Jo, Anthony and the Stage9/DDO team! Unending love to my friends, outstanding family and wonderful boyfriend!

Additional SINGIN' IN THE RAIN' cast includes: Beverly Baker, Bryan Banville, Katie Whalley Banville, Amy Beth Batchelor , Bradley Behrmann, Jordi Bertran, Laura Bueno, Lance Carter, Jean Luc Cavnar, Deborah Fauerbach, Karla Franko, Kyle Hawk, Ed Hollingsworth, Keenon Hooks, Artur Ivanov, Katey Konderik, Andrew J. Koslow, Gabriel Navarro, Joy Newbegin, Janissa Saracino, Tara Shoemaker, Claire Sorlie, Matthew Thurmund, Michael Van Allen, and John Wescott.

YOU GIVE, WE GIVE: Throughout our 2015 season, San Diego Musical Theatre is partnering with a different local nonprofit organization for each individual production. The Production's Partner will be featured in the lobby during the run of that show as a way to raise awareness for the great work being done by San Diego nonprofits. Ten percent of the funds raised for SDMT during the run of each production will be given to that specific production's partner organization. SDMT announces

"Voices for Children" as our "You Give, We Give" fundraising campaign partner during SINGIN' IN THE RAIN.

Single tickets for SDMT's production of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN are $35.00, $45.00, $55.00 and $65.00. Children 16 and under save $10. There are discounts for Seniors and Students. Equity and Actor's Alliance may purchase up to 2 tickets at half price. Group discounts for parties of 12 or more are available by calling the Administrative Office at 858-560-5740. For individual tickets contact the Administrative Office at 858-560-5740 or visit SDMT online at www.sdmt.org.

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN show times are Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at The Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101. There is parking in the Spreckels garage and the NBC Building. Both are accessed via Broadway Circle.

For more information and tickets, call San Diego Musical Theatre's Administrative Office at 858-560-5740. The San Diego Musical Theatre Administrative Office is located at 4652 Mercury Street, San Diego, CA 92111. Monday-Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. Tickets purchased through the Spreckels Box Office are through Ticket Master.

San Diego Musical Theatre's mission is to passionately produce and provide professional musical theatre that ignites the human spirit. San Diego Musical Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. "Like" us on Facebook - San Diego Musical Theatre; "Follow" us on Twitter @SDMTMusicals.