MERIVALE’S TAKE ON FILM CLASSIC REIGNS SUPREME

Nary a wrong move in high school’s lively production of the 1952 musical

What combines fringe-filled fun, riotous physical comedy, show stopping vocals and tap dancing galore? Merivale High School’s production of Singin’ In the Rain, of course!

This musical based on the 1952 Gene Kelly film takes audiences back to when talkies were a fad that did not quite go out of style. Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are silent film royalty, but their way of life is suddenly in danger when the new movie, The Jazz Singer, strikes it rich. With his best friend Cosmo in tow, Don and his sweetheart Kathy Selden find themselves struggling to save their newest silent picture by turning it into a musical extravaganza.

The cast and crew of Merivale High School put on a musical filled with spectacular numbers, many of which included tap dancing, all expertly choreographed by Kate van den Berg, Teagan Lopes, and Gaelan O’Shea, who also played the lead role of Don Lockwood.

O’Shea and Cheryl Wallingford had great chemistry on stage as Don Lockwood and Kathy Selden, and their numbers together were smooth and suave. Supporting O’Shea and Wallingford was a talented cast of singers and dancers, often dancing in perfect synchronicity.

Ryan Pedersen was lively and energetic as Cosmo Brown, and his physical comedy and dancing prowess was matched only by his great vocals. Olivia Coffin thrilled as the shrill nuisance Lina Lamont, who, in her attempts to ruin Don and Kathy’s happiness, had audiences roaring with laughter. Kate van den Berg awed audiences with her dancing, performing complex ballet and jazz routines in several numbers.

Another standout was Ali Shukri as Roscoe Dexter, whose antics suited the tone of the show perfectly.

Though actors occasionally lacked enthusiasm, they made up for it with skill and finesse in their singing and dancing.

The sets, designed by Kim Bartnik, were almost as big as the musical numbers, and featured expertly painted flats and effectively used pieces such as a costume rack and two working lampposts. Props such as umbrellas and newspapers highlighted every moment of the performance, and a carefully constructed megaphone added to the energetically used set.

The special effects crew (Neil Gill, Arnob Nath, Thomas Dunnigan, and Nico Pedersen) created exceptional short films that played throughout the musical on a screen that was carefully incorporated into every scene. Also present during the play’s title song were projected raindrops and real water at the edge of the stage.

Designed by Rina Gencher, the costumes fitted the tone of every scene, in particular the historical ensembles for Lockwood and Lamont. Makeup was sparse, but still served to accentuate the carefully constructed outfits.

Though occasionally overpowering, the Merivale Cappies Pit Band featured exemplary musicians, including Emilie Vinette on four various instruments and Holly Laurenzio on violin.

Filled with talent, Merivale’s Singin’ In The Rain was a fun, comedic flashback to the 1920s, and did the famous film classic justice.