The Catskill Chronicle

Review by Carol Montana, photos provided

FORESTBURGH, NY – Every once in awhile, there are not enough superlatives in the world to describe how good something is. That is indeed the case with Forestburgh Playhouse’s current production of Singin’ in the Rain. The dancing, the singing, the ensemble acting, the shear fun of watching this amazing production will leave a smile on your face and a song in your heart for days after.

Not only are the cast and musicians incredibly talented, but the production values are first-rate. With the clever use of black and white film to illustrate Hollywood’s migration from silent movies to talkies, the play accurately mirrors the 1952 film, which is the number one movie on the American Film Institute’s Greatest Movie Musicals list.

In the Forestburgh production, Brandon Davidson plays popular silent-film star Don Lockwood. Davidson is dapper, handsome, engaging and supremely talented. His voice is perfect, his dancing enthralling.

His co-star Lina Lamont is played to the hilt by Zoe Kassay. With a perfect high-pitched, irritatingly squeaky voice, Kassay’s self-centered character flits around the stage, believing the Monumental Pictures publicity that she and Lockwood are madly in love, despite his many protestations. If ever someone was born to play a specific part, Kassay was born play this one.

Sweet as sugar is how Georgia Tapp portrays Kathy Selden, the chorus girl who Lockwood meets by accident as he jumps into her car to escape a mob of fans. Tapp’s voice is as sweet as her looks, and her polished dancing is most impressive.

Lockwood’s partner in crime, Cosmo Brown is played by James LaRosa with nothing short of perfection. He is ragdoll-like in his movement and dancing, and funny, funny, funny with his lines. LaRosa brings down the house with his performance of Make ‘Em Laugh.

Supporting players Kevin Confoy as Monumental Studios owner R. F. Simpson, and Jim Bray as Monumental’s director Roscoe Dexter are so well cast in their roles that you might forget you’re watching a play. Confoy’s character is, at times, laughingly naive about what’s going on in his studio, and yet, he’s endearingly cute, especially when he gets frustrated with his star Lina Lamont. Bray’s director is flashy and pompous and seriously comical.

The ensemble of actors and dancers – most of whom play more than one role – are excellent dancers. The dances are well synchronized, colorful and literally toe-tapping. Credit the dancers and the talent of choreographers Janine Molinari and Dann Dunn.

Director Sarah Norris took a multitude of puzzle pieces and fit them together with precision and dexterity. She had the gifted help of: Musical Director Steven Cuevas and his accomplished pit band, Scenic Designer Luke Verkamp, Costume Designer Darrin Pufall, Lighting Designer Michael O’Connor, Video and Sound Designer Michael Bert, and Property Designer Darcy Engel.

As mentioned above, the use of black and white film is brilliantly done. It produces fall-off-your-chair moments of hilarity. And this might be a good time to mention that audience members should not be too quick to depart at end of the show. Stay in your seats for a real post-production treat.

Many critics describe the 1952 movie Singin’ in the Rain as the best movie musical ever. In keeping with that sentiment, it’s pretty safe to say that Forestburgh Playhouse is currently showing one of its best productions ever.

Singin’ in the Rain is being shown at the Forestburgh Playhouse now through August 1. To find out more, including performance times go to The Forestburgh Playhouse Web site. Or call the box office at 845-794-1194.