From left, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly sing 'Good Mornin' in a scene from 'Singin' In the Rain'
In honor of its 70th anniversary, Singin in the Rain will be screened at the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. with new digital restoration. The film will be introduced by film historian and NYS librarian Philip Harwood, who will explore the importance of the classic movie to the history of cinema.
Gene Kelly in ‘Singin’ In the Rain’
On a short list of the greatest screen musicals ever made, Singin’ in the Rain began with legendary MGM producer Arthur Freed giving screenwriters Betty Comden and Adolph Green a stack of songs he’d written early in his career (with partner Nacio Herb Brown) – including “Broadway Melody,” “You Are My Lucky Star” and the title song – with the simple request to weave a story around the numbers.
What emerged was a sublime marriage of song and dance, innocence and nostalgia, heart-tugging romance and surreal comedy (especially in co-star Donald O’Connor’s show-stopping “Make ’Em Laugh” routine). Co-director Gene Kelly shines as silent-movie idol Don Lockwood, whose career (and leading lady, hilariously played by Jean Hagen) is imperiled by the coming of sound – until he hooks up with lovely ingenue Debbie Reynolds. The brilliant supporting cast includes Millard Mitchell, Douglas Fowley and the great Cyd Charisse, whose long-legged “Broadway Melody” ballet with Kelly nearly steals the show!
In honor of its 70th anniversary, “Singin’ In the Rain” heads to select cinemas nationwide on Sunday, April 10 and Wednesday, April 13, courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment, Turner Classic Movies. Starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor, Jean Hagen, Cyd Charisse and Rita Moreno, the 1952 classic musical is still as fresh and delightful as the day it was released.
Photo courtesy of Fathom Events
Musician Don Lockwood (Kelly) rises to stardom during Hollywood’s silent-movie era–paired with the beautiful, jealous and dumb Lina Lamont (Hagen). When Lockwood becomes attracted to young studio singer Kathy Selden (Reynolds), Lamont has her fired. But with the introduction of talking pictures, audiences laugh when they hear Lamont speak for the first time–and the studio uses Selden to dub her voice. Set during the advent of “talkies,” this film’s classic song-and-dance numbers celebrate the beginning of movie musicals.
Written by legendary musical “book” writers Betty Comden and Adolph Green and directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, the film was nominated for two Academy Awards and is the No. 1 musical on the American Film Institute’s (AFI) list of the “25 Greatest Movie Musicals.”
This 70th anniversary event includes exclusive commentary from Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz.
Locally, the film will be screened at AMC Loews Stony Brook 17, 2196 Nesconset Highway, Stony Brook on April 10 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on April 13 at 7 p.m.; Farmingdale Multiplex Cinemas, 1001 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale on April 10 at 4 p.m. and on April 13 at 7 p.m.; and Island 16 Cinema de Lux, 185 Morris Ave., Holtsville on April 10 at 4 p.m. and on April 13 at 7 p.m.
To order tickets in advance, visit www.fathomevents.com.
Danny Gardner as Don Lockwood in the iconic scene from ‘Singin’ in the Rain’
By Victoria Espinoza
The latest production at the John W. Engeman Theater will have you dancing and singing — rain or shine. “Singin’ in the Rain” premiered this past weekend to a full house and one of the most energetic crowds in past years.
The classic movie, which is regarded as one of the greatest movie musicals of all time, comes to life as soon as the curtain rises, bringing the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s golden age to Northport. It’s 1927 and Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are the toast of Tinseltown until silent films are threatened with the rise of talking pictures. The Northport stage is set to look like an old Hollywood film studio lot. David Arsenault, the set designer, creates a simple but inviting backdrop, and many times throughout the show the sets are used to enhance musical numbers and bring even more laughs to the audience.
Danny Gardner (Don Lockwood) and Corinne Munsch (Girl in Green) in a scene from ‘Singin’ In the Rain’
While the songs, actors and sets all excel in this production, the choreography comes out on top. Drew Humphrey is both the director and choreographer for this show and brings audiences a nonstop party with intricate and joyful dance numbers that were accompanied by nonstop applause throughout the night. Standouts include “Fit as a Fiddle,” “Make Em Laugh,” “Good Morning” and, of course, the timeless classic, “Singin’ in the Rain.”
Danny Gardner, who plays Don Lockwood, brings all the magic of Gene Kelly’s iconic scene with his mile-long grin, infatuated attitude and love-struck dance moves. Perhaps the most excited the audience got was when the rain started to pour on stage and Gardner appeared in a fedora with an umbrella under his arm.
Tessa Grady and Brian Shepard round out the main trio as Kathy Selden and Cosmo Brown, respectively, and the chemistry between the three is great fun to watch. Shepard brings the biggest smiles to audiences’ faces with fun jokes and a charming and lovable attitude. He steals the scene in “Moses Supposes,” and you can’t help but look for him in every scene to see what fun little moments he brings to his character.All three stars have beautiful voices, and Grady does a great job bringing her talents to Kathy Selden to make her a confident, charming character with some great comedic moments as well.
Emily Stockdale as Lina Lamont and Danny Gardner as Don Lockwood in a scene from the show.
Of course, the other character who delighted audiences with laughs was Lina Lamont, played by Emily Stockdale. The voice she was able to achieve for Lamont was impressive and hilarious and her short solo number in the second act was sharp and enjoyable. She brought great depth to what could’ve been a one-dimensional character.
An extra fun treat for audiences was the short films inside the musical. Producer Richard Dolce and Humphrey do a great job making the film shorts hilarious, and as an added bonus a recognizable spot, Northport Village Park, makes a cameo appearance. It makes the black-and-white shorts twice the fun when you see the recognizable white gazebo as a backdrop for a sword fight and a lovers reunion. The ensemble cast who are a part of these shorts also deserve a special shout out for the delight they bring to the small screen.
Musical Director Jonathan Brenner handles the numbers wonderfully, bringing all the right emotion each scene calls for. “Moses Supposes” excels not only for Shepard’s lovable conviction but also the way Brenner handles the music. The same can be said for “Good Morning.” This scene delivers on all the fun the original film brings, and although the characters aren’t trotting together from room to room, this production’s version encapsulates all the charm.
And even with all the fun, this production saves the best for last with a closing number you won’t want to miss. Kurt Alger, costume designer for the show, adds an extra pop with costume choices for the end, bringing extra color and fun to the stage. But, of course, the elegant period pieces in the show’s entirety are also a marvel to see, especially a French-style costume worn by Stockdale.
With more than just fan favorite songs, this musical promises to deliver a fun-filled evening for all who attend.
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport will present “Singin’ in the Rain” through July 1. Tickets range from $73 to $78. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
From left, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor and Gene Kelly in a scene from ‘Singin’ in the Rain. Courtesy Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc.
What a glorious feeling!
In celebration of its 65th anniversary, Fathom Events, Turner Classic Movies and Warner Bros. Entertainment will bring “Singin’ in the Rain” back to nearly 700 select cinemas nationwide on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. as part of its TCM Big Screen Classics series. Running time is 2 hours.
The event, which gives audiences a chance to see Debbie Reynolds in her breakout role and Gene Kelly at the pinnacle of his career, also includes exclusive commentary from Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz, who will give insight into this classic film. Starring Reynolds, Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Jean Hagen, Cyd Charisse and Rita Moreno, the 1952 classic is still as fresh and delightful as the day it was released.
Musician Don Lockwood (Kelly) rises to stardom during Hollywood’s silent-movie era — paired with the beautiful, jealous and dumb Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen). When Lockwood becomes attracted to young studio singer Kathy Selden (Reynolds), Lamont has her fired. But with the introduction of talking pictures, audiences laugh when they hear Lamont speak for the first time — and the studio uses Selden to dub her voice.
“Sixty-five years ago, no one dreamed that we would still be watching ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ in 2017,” said Gene Kelly’s widow, film historian Patricia Ward Kelly. “Gene would be very proud.” “Singin’ in the Rain,” set in the days of Hollywood’s transition from silent films to “talkies,” continues to this day to provide pure cinematic entertainment. Written by legendary musical “book” writers Betty Comden and Adolph Green, “Singin’ in the Rain” was helmed by renowned directors Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards and is the No. 1 musical on the American Film Institute’s (AFI) list of the “25 Greatest Movie Musicals” (2007) and No. 5 on AFI’s “100 Years, 100 Movies” list (2007).
Participating movie theaters in our neck of the woods include AMC Loews Stony Brook 17, 2196 Nesconset Highway, Stony Brook; Farmingdale Multiplex Cinemas, 1001 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale; and Island 16 Cinema de Lux, 185 Morris Ave., Holtsville.
Future “TCM Big Screen Classics” films for 2017 will include “Some Like It Hot,” “The Godfather,” “The Graduate,” “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” “An Affair to Remember,” “All About Eve,” “The Princess Bride,” “Smokey and the Bandit,” “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” “North by Northwest,” “Bonnie and Clyde” and Casablanca.” For more information, visiti www.fathomevents.com.
The event, which gives audiences a chance to see Debbie Reynolds in her breakout role and Gene Kelly at the pinnacle of his career, also includes exclusive commentary from Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz, who will give insight into this classic film. Starring Reynolds, Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Jean Hagen, Cyd Charisse and Rita Moreno, the 1952 classic is still as fresh and delightful as the day it was released.
