'Singin' in the Rain' opens this week

Roscoe Dexter (left), played by Jack Randall Earles, Lina Lamont (Kullen Edberg) and R.F. Simpson (Jim Rambo), join the cast of "Singin' in the Rain," set to begin performances this Thursday at the Putnam County Playhouse.

Tap dancing, lively songs from the Tin Pan Alley era and, of course, rain will greet audiences when Putnam County Playhouse presents the stage version of the popular MGM film, "Singin' in the Rain."

The play will be staged Thursday through Saturday and Aug. 13-16 at 8 p.m. with a matinee at 3 p.m. this Sunday. All seats are $9 and can be reserved by calling the box office of the Hazel Day Longden Theatre at 653-5880 between 5 and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Corporate sponsor for the production is First National Bank.

Stage and musical director for "Singin' in the Rain" is Ric McFadden, who most recently directed "Seussical the Musical" at PCPH. He is being assisted by Shelly McFadden. Choreography for the play is by Lita Sandy, and stage manager is Bryan Schroeder.

The stage play follows the film script closely and includes many of the familiar songs by Arthur Freed and Herb Nacio Brown, including the title tune, "You Are My Lucky Star," Beautiful Girl," and "All I Do Is Dream of You."

Appearing in the three top roles taken by Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O'Conner in the film are Brad Sandy as Don, Carrie Hamilton as Kathy and Joshua Bain as Cosmo.

When sound comes to the movies, they a caught up in the excitement and comedy of the transition.

Supporting players include Kullen Edberg as Lina Lamont, Jim Rambo as R.F. Simpson, Katie Wallace as Dora Bailey, Karen Temple as Miss Dinsmore, Brittany Brumfield as Zelda Zanders and Jack Randall Earles as Roscoe Dexter.

Other roles will be played by Jessica Finchum Kelley, Meredith Miller, Shelly McFadden, Elijah and Hannah Brattain, Steve Newland, Ben Fisher, Ben Dulaski, Jeff Osborn, and Schroeder. Also appearing are Deborah Armitage, Sarah Dory, Keri Good, Alix Green, Ashley Smith, Clay Spencer, Roxanne Wheeler, and director McFadden.

The cast worked to make a "movie" for showing during the musical. Featured players in "The Royal Rascal" are Timothy Fox, Norman Bain, William Dory, Chris Krag, Joe Macri, Mark Pahud, and Keri Good. Another "soundie" features Jim Poor.

Marilyn Burdsall is the pit pianist and conductor. The other musicians include Kathryn Dory on keyboards, Michael McClaine on percussion, Marcia Boswell on flute and piccolo, Heidi Ellison on clarinet, and Drew Brattain on bass guitar.