Singin' In the Rain

Since August, Singin' In the Rain has played a major part in this school year as we know it and starting next week we jump into a play-free life for 2 months.  I honestly don't know what Ella will do with all the free time! ;)   That final bow on Performance Weekend is always bittersweet.  There is relief that it is done, but this fall it's more bitter than usual because the whole experience has been so amazing!  

We were blessed to have a couple different photographers share their talents with the cast and parents, so here is a whole bunch of my favorite professional pictures.  They feature our Dora Bailey, but also everyone else (including scenes Ella was not even in), because I just want to remember it all!

Dora opens the show announcing each movie star and sharing cheesy small talk with them.  The next big Lockwood/Lamont silent film is premiering at the Grauman's Chinese Theater.

We meet the famous actors, Don Lockwood, Lena Lamont (above) and their movie studio executive, RF (below).

  

Photographers clamor for their pictures and fans want autographs.

In an attempt to escape some aggressive fans, Don runs and bumps into Kathy Seldon, who is down to earth and very un-starstruck.  Even though they don't act like it, Don likes her right away.

 After the premier, there is a party for all the red carpet elite.

Who should jump out the studio's congratulations cake at the party, but Kathy!  She joins her cute chorus of girlfriends to sing "All I Do Is Dream of You."

Lena and Kathy have some drama, which included a pie to Lena's famous face, and Don frets about his life and career difficulties.  His best friend Cosmo tries to cheer him up  by singing "Make 'Em Laugh"-- with a special Easter egg for everyone who saw Annie Get Your Gun last spring.  Cosmo hops on Annie's horse with her hat and gun props and Ella once again hauls this one ton prop across the stage!

Don and Kathy continue to realize how much they like each other.

 But, Don's horrible on-screen romance, Lena, does NOT like this, so she sabotages Kathy's career.  When Don and Lena film their next silent movie, they act romantic while hurling insults at each other.

 Uh-oh!  Trouble for this studio!  A talking movie has just been released and it's a huge success!  Silent movies are a thing of the past and they must all learn to make movies with sound now!  The actors receive diction lessons that turn into a wild tap dance number.  "Moses supposes his toeses are roses, but Moses supposes erroneously..."

 Now the film must be re-shot in sound.  Not good since Lena has a voice that sounds like a cat being tortured.

 She also has a hard time figuring out how to speak into the hidden microphone, to the director's hilarious frustration.

"Quiet on the set!"

 "Cut!  Lena, speak INTO the bush."

 The film with sound is absolutely terrible and is met with nothing but criticism.  It will be the end of Don Lockwood's fine acting career!  Not to worry, though, sweet Kathy has offered to dub her lovely voice over Lena's so the film can still be a success.  All this is sorted out in the iconic number "Good Morning."

 Don is so smitten with Kathy, he's "laughing at clouds so dark up above; the sun's in his heart and he's ready for love". (Fun note: Will, the boy who played Don, learned to tap dance in SEVEN weeks and he was AWESOME!)

The new idea for the movie is to turn it into a musical, so a big, long, colorful Broadway Melody number is sung and danced by the whole company.

 

On premier night, Dora Bailey once again returns to announce the new musical movie.  It is well received, Lena is exposed, and Kathy and her voice get the fame they deserve.  Happy endings all around!

  The whole cast returns to the stage in rain coats to reprise the iconic "Singin' In the Rain" song.  It's such a grand finale that the audience (before the official curtain call even!) leaps to their feet for a standing ovation!

This cast!  They have exhibited unbelievable talent, work ethic, humor and love for the Lord.  My heart explodes with happiness that Ella could be a part of a performance that was so expertly performed and to such acclaim,.  But, what gives me even more joy and gratitude is that she could be influenced by the friendship of this incredible company and direction of this visionary, Jesus-loving director.

Could't be prouder!

And a final note from our director from the program, which gave me a lump in my throat when I read it on Opening Night.  Even she had to publicly recognize the something special about this cast and production.  Already counting down the next one-- it's Meet Me in St. Louis and it debuts February 27!