Universityof Cincinnati's CCM to Open SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, 10/31

The University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) brings one of Hollywood's most-loved musicals to life with a graceful stage adaptation of Singin' in the Rain, running Oct. 31 through Nov. 3 in UC's Corbett Auditorium.

Based on the 1952 American musical comedy film of the same name, Singin' in the Rain offers a lighthearted depiction of Hollywood during the transition from silent films to "talkies." The story centers on popular silent film star Don Lockwood (originally portrayed by Gene Kelly, who also choreographed and co-directed the classic film), his shallow leading lady Lina Lamont, his sidekick CosMo Brown and aspiring actress Kathy Selden.

CCM Professor of Musical Theatre and resident choreographer Diane Lala directs this production, which she describes as a "wonderful revisiting of a true classic." The recipient of the 2012 Big Easy Theater Award for Best Choreography and the 2011 Big Easy Theatre Award for Best Director, Lala also collaborates with Adjunct Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre/Dance Patti James on the choreography of this dance-filled production, which she promises will showcase a wide variety of different dance forms, from ballet to tap and beyond.

Graduate student Ryan Sigurdson provides musical direction under the supervision of Associate Professor of Musical Theatre Roger Grodsky. With a glorious score by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Arthur Freed, standards such as "Good Morning," "Make 'em Laugh," "You Are My Lucky Star" and the legendary "Singin' in the Rain" will have audience members leaving the theater humming.

Of course it wouldn't be Singin' in the Rain without buckets of rain, silent films and "talkies" from the original movie. Before proposing this production, Lala approached CCM's Department of Theatre Design and Production and Division of Electronic Media to ensure that her vision for the show was possible. "For a show like this to be able to happen, it takes a village," Lala explains. With scenic design by Mark Halpin, technical direction by Steve Miller, multimedia expertise of Electronic Media Professors Kevin Burke and Lakshmi Tirumala and student video director Sam Pennybacker, this production has provided ample opportunities for interdepartmental and interdisciplinary collaboration. This production of Singin' in the Rain even involved Professor of Drama and resident Fight Master k. Jenny Jones, who choreographed the fighting and stage combat for one of the silent movies featured in the show. The result is a live performance that will be filled with films, flashbacks and falling rain.

Seniors Max Clayton and Katie Wesler inhabit the iconic roles of Don and Kathy, first made famous by Hollywood legends Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. "When I got the role, my stomach dropped from both excitement and terror," says Clayton, who took his first dance class at CCM and now inhabits the iconic role that Kelly made legendary. "This is physically the most demanding role I've ever played. I'm on stage for most of the show, so this rehearsal process has been a real test of stamina for me."

"Our challenge is to find the same dynamic relationship Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly had on the screen and to recreate it for the stage," says Wesler of her portrayal of Kathy Selden. "It's exciting that CCM has undertaken such a large dance show that includes so many different elements - from film, to water, to tap - it has a little bit of everything! There's as much going on back stage as there is on stage, so this will be an exciting show for all of us to experience."

Singin' in the Rain features Music by Nacio Herb Brown, Lyrics by Arthur Freed, and Book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Creative team: Diane Lala, director; Roger Grodsky, musical supervisor; Ryan Sigurdson, musical director; and Patti James and Diane Lala, choreographers.

Performance Times:

8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31
8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1
2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2
2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3

The show runs at Corbett Auditorium, CCM Village, University of Cincinnati. Tickets to Singin' in the Rain are $31-35 for adults, $20-24 for non-UC students and $18-22 UC students with a valid ID. Customizable subscription packages are also available. Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online at ccm.uc.edu/boxoffice/singingintherain.

Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Visit uc.edu/parking for more information on parking rates. For detailed maps and directions, visit uc.edu/visitors. Additional parking is available off-campus at the new U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots. For directions to CCM Village, visit ccm.uc.edu/about/directions.

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is recognized both nationally and internationally as one of the leading conservatories for the performing and electronic media arts, composition, scholarship and pedagogy. All event dates and programs are subject to change. For a complete calendar of events or to view CCM's 2013-2014 season brochure visit ccm.uc.edu.

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