Pennsylvania Playhouse delivers a playful, energetic take on the beloved movie turned musical “Singin’ in the Rain.”
The production runs through June 15 at the playhouse, 390 Illick’s Mill Road, Bethlehem.
Based on the classic 1952 MGM film, “Singin’ in the Rain” is the story of a movie studio and its leading actors navigating the new talking picture technology.
Salem Perez Torres is engaging as film star Don Lockwood, who with Lina Lamont (a funny Zoe Mulze) are the reining king and queen of the silent films.
However, when the studio decides to do its first musical, Lina’s squeaky voice is less than ideal.
Torres is suave and confident as Don and sounds good on songs like “You Stepped Out of a Dream” and “You Were Meant for Me.” In Don’s act-one ending “Singin’ in the Rain,” lighting designer Brett Oliveira makes clever use of lighting to simulate rain.
As Don’s sidekick Cosmo Brown, Joey Troiano is humorously sarcastic and delivers an enthusiastic "Make ‘Em Laugh."
Lucy Moore is a standout as Kathy Seldon, Don’s love-interest and the actress who dubs the voice of Lina Lamont. She embodies the spunk and insecurities of the role and has a great voice on song like “You Are My Lucky Star” and “Would You.” Moore and Torres also have good chemistry in their romantic scenes.
One of the highlights of the show is Moore, Torrez and Troiano’s trio on the dynamic “Good Morning” which features nice harmonies and some fun choreography by Jessica Sturm.
Mulze gives Lina a humorously deluded but determined persona and is funny on her song “What’s Wrong With Me?”
Enhancing the production is videographer Braden Drake who created the videos shown on stage of Don and Lina’s silent movies “The Royal Rascal” and “The Dueling Cavalier” and subsequent musical “The Dancing Cavalier.”
Todd Burkel and Nate Kuhns’s costumes are attractive and evocative of the 1920s era.
Sturm’s choreography includes tap dancing and big production numbers like “Broadway Melody
and the umbrella-filled finale.
Director Rachel Lutz makes good use of all the entrances to fill the stage with her cast, and keeps the energy from flagging. Amanda Haag is music director, keeping the cast in tune.
An adorable moment is a flashback of Don and Cosmo performing as young children played by Everett Mason and Elaina Bullen. Everett and Elaina play young Don and Cosmo June 1, 7 and 14; and Blake Jaindl and Evan Steiner play the roles May 31, June 6, 8, 13 and 15.
The June 7 performance is Pay What You Are Able.
Saturday performances will feature a cast talkback.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. May 30, 31, June 6, 7, 13 and 14; and 6 p.m. June 1, 8 and 15.
For information, call 610-865-6665, or go to www.paplayhouse.org/.