Singin' In The Rain
Tap your toes and sing along in this splashy adaptation of the celebrated and beloved film.
Show Essentials
10
Roles
+ Ensemble
U
Rated
2
Acts

Full Synopsis

Act One

The year is 1927. The place is Hollywood, California. In front of Graumann's Chinese Theatre, everyone is celebrating Monumental Pictures' premiere of The Royal Rascal starring two of Hollywood's most popular stars, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont. Leading film columnist, Dora Bailey, gives an on-the-air report as everyone waits for Don and Lina. She interviews Cosmo Brown, Don's closest friend, and Roscoe Dexter, the film's director. Suddenly, there is a roar from the crowd as Don and Lina arrive. Dora asks them if the rumors about their upcoming marriage are true. Don defects the question by talking about his upbringing. Though he makes it seem like he has a high-class background, the audience sees the true story of how he and Cosmo got started in vaudeville ("Fit As A Fiddle").

The film is premiered. It is a typical silent film - just what the audience loves. Don and Lina come to the stage to take a bow. When they address the audience, every time Lina tries to speak, Don cuts her off. Outside of the theatre, Lina is furious that no one lets her talk. However, when we hear her high-pitched nasal voice, it's obvious why Don was cutting her off; the public thinks her voices matches her elegant on screen persona. Lina wants to marry Don, but he's not interested in her. Don convinces Cosmo to pretend to be him and get in his limo so that he can walk to the cast party by himself.

As Don strolls down Hollywood Boulevard, several fans recognize him. He pretends to be an ordinary guy, claiming he is with a woman sitting on bench waiting for a bus. The woman, Kathy Selden, is rather taken aback by these proceedings. Once the fans leave, Kathy calls a police officer - thinking she recognizes Don from a most wanted sign. But, the policeman knows Don is a famous movie star. After the policeman leaves, Don apologizes to Kathy for frightening her. She apologizes for believing he was a criminal, but claims to not be a fan of his work - or any silent movies. She is a real actress, and she hopes to go to New York for a stage career. Don is surprised to be told he is not a real actor, but he finds her spunk attractive. She is more wary of him ("You Stepped Out Of A Dream"). Don heads for the cast party leaving Kathy perplexed, as fans grab at him for an autograph.

The movie premiere party is in progress at R.F Simpson's mansion; Simpson is the studio head. Don ignores those cheering his entrance and heads straight for Cosmo; he asks Cosmo if he thinks he is a real actor. Cosmo is a bit confused, but assures Don that he is talented. Simpson has been waiting for Don to arrive so he can share a surprise with the guests - a talking movie clip! The guests meet this clip with bemusement. Simpson dismisses it as a fad - the Warner Brothers will lose their shirts on their new talking picture 'The Jazz Singer.'

As Lina continues to woo the uninterested Don, Simpson is happy to see his two studio stars standing arm and arm. He signals for a large cake to be wheeled on. Don cuts the cake and Kathy Selden pops out in a showgirl outfit. Don bursts out laughing. Only hours ago Kathy claimed she was the next Ethel Barrymore, now she is here to perform with a bunch of other chorus girls ("All I Do Is Dream of You"). After Kathy finishes dancing and singing, Don teases her more. After one insult too many, Kathy takes a cream cake from a dessert table and hurls it at Don who ducks. The cake hits Lina in the face. She is so enraged that she runs after Kathy who dashes out. Don tells Lina that it was an accident, but she'll hear nothing of it. Given that she's covered in whipped cream, Lina exits with as much dignity as possible and Don runs out to find Kathy.

Three weeks later, at Monumental Studios, production is starting on the next Lockwood-Lamont picture, 'The Dueling Cavalier.' Meanwhile, Cosmo has read in Variety that 'The Jazz Singer' was an all-time smash in its first week. Don enters, ready to start work. The film takes place during the French Revolution, and the plot is virtually the same as every other film Don and Lina have ever made. When Cosmo reminds Don of this fact, Don gets upset - it reminds him of what Kathy said. Don can't get her out of his mind. Cosmo thinks it's only because she doesn't return his affection and does his best to cheer up his friend ("Make 'Em Laugh").

Lina enters. The very vision of beauty in an 18th century French costume, she confronts Don about why he wasn't at party with her the other night. He admits he was looking for Kathy, as he's worried about her since she lost her job after the cake incident. Lina tells Don that she actually arranged to have Kathy fired. Don is furious, but it is time to begin shooting the film. Though Don and Lina play the passionate love scene very convincingly with their facial expressions, they continue to fight. Simpson enters and tells the cameras to stop rolling...'The Jazz Singer' is a hit. Monumental Pictures is shutting down for a few weeks to convert to sound and 'The Dueling Cavalier' will be their first sound venture. Simpson puts Cosmo in charge of the new music department.

After the transformation, Monumental is shooting its first move musical. Kathy Selden is one of the featured chorus girls in a lavish production number ("Beautiful Girls"). Cosmo, watching the shooting, recognizes Kathy and runs to find Don. Simpson notices her too, but he is taken with her charm. Director Sid Phillips wants to feature Kathy in the part of the kid sister and Simpson wants to audition her immediately. They call her back and ask Cosmo to play the piano ("You Are My Lucky Star"). As soon as Kathy finishes singing, Don enters applauding wildly. Kathy runs off, convinced she'll be fired when Simpson finds out she's the cake girl. Instead, Don convinces Simpson to hire Kathy for the supporting role. Grateful, Kathy agrees to go to lunch with Don.

As they make their way through a deserted soundstage to the studio commissary, Don assures Kathy that everything written about Lina and him in the fan magazines is just for publicity. She apologizes to him for all the terrible things she said to him that first night they met. Don creates a special mood with a variety of lighting, mist, and wind machines that are at his disposal. With everything in place, he finally is able to tell Kathy just how he feels ("You Were Meant For Me").

Lina is desperately trying to improve her voice and is studying with Miss Dinsmore, the famous vocal coach. Miss Dinsmore tries very hard to work with her but Lina doesn't improve. She doesn't realize how awful her speaking is. Don, on the other hand, has no trouble with his vocal coach. He conquers every tongue twister given to him. Cosmo watches the proceedings and joins Don and the teacher in a wild and frantic game of words ("Moses").

'The Dueling Cavalier' resumes production. Lina, however, forgets to talk into the microphone and moves around too much. Nevertheless, they all proceed because she is the star. At the first preview, the movie is a disaster. Much of the dialogue is out of sync and the sound effects are terrible. Though these mistakes can be fixed in the studio, nothing can be done about Lina's awful voice. When the movie is finished, the audience laughs hysterically. Simpson is panicked - the film is booked to open across the country in six weeks.

Later that night, Don admits defeat but Cosmo and Kathy won't let him give up that easily. Cosmo suggests that they make 'The Dueling Cavalier' into a musical. Pretty soon ideas are flying around, and Don is ready to take on the challenge; he then declares March 23rd as a historical day. Cosmo reminds him that it is now 1:30 in the morning, therefore March 24th is the history-making day ("Good Morning").

This celebration stops cold when Don reminds everyone that even though Lina is beautiful, her voice cannot be disguised. Cosmo suggests they dub Kathy's voice and let Lina mouth the words. Don won't let Kathy think of it; she'd be throwing away her own career. Kathy assures him that it'll only be for one picture, and she'd be happy to help.

Don takes Kathy home in his white limo in the pouring rain. At her door, he kisses her goodnight. Rather than run back to the limo, he dances and sings in the street because he is so in love ("Singin' In the Rain").

Act Two

The next day at the studio, Simpson is ecstatic. He loves the idea of making the movie into a musical. He is worried, however, that Lina doesn't like Kathy and won't be happy to hear her voice is being dubbed. They all agree that they must keep it secret and that the movie will be retitled to 'The Dancing Cavalier.'

To keep the secret, Kathy dubs all of Lina's scenes and songs late at night ("Would You"). Meanwhile, Don and Kathy's love grows. Don can't wait until the picture is finished so that he can let the whole world know whom he really loves. Just as Don and Kathy kiss, the door flies open and in bursts Lina and Zelda, another studio actress. Zelda has told Lina everything and she is upset about Don proclaiming his love for Kathy. When Cosmo tells her that Kathy is going to get full screen credit for the dubbing, she becomes even more upset. Lina goes off to find Simpson. Don assures Kathy that there is nothing Lina can do.

Out on the lot, Lina thanks Zelda for telling her about the situation. Lina is putting up a brave front. She doesn't understand what's wrong with her voice and why Don doesn't love her. She looks into her dressing room mirror and laments her situation ("What's Wrong With Me?").

In Simpson's office, the boss tells Cosmo how upset Lina is about everything. The studio's future depends on this picture; Simpson must make sure that it is a success! Cosmo calms down Simpson by reminding him that he is the boss and whatever he says goes. Simpson realizes that the picture doesn't have a production number. Dexter reminds them that this is a period movie, but Cosmo suggests that they add a flash forward section with tapping hoofers. Dexter and Simpson are confused, so Cosmo has them close their eyes and imagine how it might be ("Broadway Melody").

'The Dancing Cavalier' premieres at Graumann's Chinese Theatre and the audience loves it. Rod enters with newspapers announcing that Monumental Pictures is ecstatic about Lina's talents, while giving none of the credit to Kathy. Simpson is baffled; this is not the publicity campaign he approved. Lina arrives and says that she gave every paper in town an exclusive story. It's in her contract that she controls publicity. Furthermore, she wants Kathy to continue dubbing for her rather than starring in her own films. Simpson says he would never do that to Kathy, but Lina holds up her contract and reminds him she is in charge.

The film finishes and the audience goes wild with applause. Backstage, the creative team celebrates. Don and Kathy kiss. Lina interrupts them to announce the decisions she has made with Simpson about Kathy continuing to dub her voice. When Kathy protests, Lina reminds her she has a five-year contract with the studio. Meanwhile, the audience cries a speech. Hearing this, Lina perks up and declares that she is going to make a speech. Don and Cosmo get an idea and encourage Lina to talk to the audience.

Lina triumphantly dashes out on stage and speaks in her flat nasal tone. The audience is baffled. Someone yells out that Lina should cut the small talk and just sing a song. Don, Simpson, and Cosmo agree that she should do this with Kathy singing live behind a curtain. Kathy is shocked that Don would let this happen; however, Don insists that Kathy sing. Kathy goes to the microphone, but not before she tells Don she will never see him again - on or off the screen. Lina mouths the song from the film while Kathy sings from behind the curtain ("Would You"). In the wings, Simpson, Don, and Cosmo raise the curtain to reveal Kathy singing. The audience laughs hysterically. Horribly embarrassed, Lina runs off the stage. Kathy runs down the aisle through the audience.

Don runs on stage and declares that it is Kathy Selden who is the real star of the movie...it is her voice the audience heard tonight! Kathy returns to the stage and everyone, except Lina, is happy ("You Are My Lucky Star"). They all celebrate in triumph as the curtain falls.

Casting
← Back to Singin' In The Rain
Cast Size: Medium (11 to 20 performers)
Cast Type: Mainly Men
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Zelda Zanders
A flapper socialite and actress on her ninth marriage, she is Lina's friend and informant.
Gender: female
Age: 30 to 40
R.f. Simpson
A successful, magnanimous, film producer. He leads the other characters in creating a new movie musical.
Gender: male
Age: 50 to 65
Roscoe Dexter
A famous film director with theatrical mannerisms and tendencies. Frequently frazzled and works with Lina and Don.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 50
Cosmo Brown
A wacky and playful on-set pianist for silent films. Don's best friend and former dance partner.
Gender: male
Age: 35 to 45
Vocal range top: Ab4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Lina Lamont
A slow-witted silent film diva with a big personality and a harshly unpleasant voice. She is Don's regular co-star.
Gender: female
Age: 30 to 35
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Don Lockwood
A suave Hollywood actor and dancer. Cosmo's best friend and Lina's regular co-star.
Gender: male
Age: 35 to 45
Vocal range top: Ab4
Vocal range bottom: G2
Rod
An excitable film agent bordering on manic. He works for Simpson.
Gender: male
Age: 35 to 45
Kathy Selden
An earnest, talented actress with whit and charm. She falls in love with Don and performs as Lina's speaking and singing voice.
Gender: female
Age: 25 to 30
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Production Singer
The lead tenor in Monumental Pictures' first movie musical.
Gender: male
Age: 25 to 40
Vocal range top: Ab4
Vocal range bottom: Db3
Miss Dinsmore
Lina's vocal coach. She is the "mother hen" type with caring affection for the younger performers.
Gender: female
Age: 45 to 55
Ensemble
Movie Stars, Film Crew, Actors
Full Song List
Singin' In The Rain: Overture
Singin' In The Rain: Fit As A Fiddle
Singin' In The Rain: You Stepped Out Of A Dream
Singin' In The Rain: All I Do Is Dream Of You
Singin' In The Rain: Make 'Em Laugh
Singin' In The Rain: Beautiful Girl
Singin' In The Rain: You Were Meant For Me
Singin' In The Rain: Moses Supposes
Singin' In The Rain: Good Morning
Singin' In The Rain: Singin' In The Rain
Singin' In The Rain: Would You
Singin' In The Rain: What's Wrong With Me?
Singin' In The Rain: Broadway Melody

Show History

Inspiration

The stage show Singin' In The Rain is based on the iconic 1952 movie of the same name. Singin' in the Rain was produced for MGM by the legendary Arthur Freed, whose extensive catalog of songs was used for the score. The screenplay was written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, who went on to write lyrics for many successful Broadway shows. The film made a huge splash! Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, it starred Kelly (Don), Debbie Reynolds (Kathy), Donald O'Conner (Cosmo), Jean Hagen (Lina) and Cyd Charisse as a New York moll in the "Broadway Melody" sequence. Young Rita Moreno also had a featured role.

Productions

Singin' In The Rain first opened on June 30, 1983 at the London Palladium, where it ran until September 1985. Directed by Tommy Steele and choreographed by Peter Gennaro, the original cast included Steele as Don, Roy Castle as Cosmo, Danielle Carson as Kathy, and Sarah Payne as Lina and Julia.


The show then opened on Broadway at the George Gershwin Theatre on July 2,1985 and closed on May 18, 1986 after 367 performances and 38 previews. It was succeeded by a successful national tour.


The acclaimed 1983 production of Singin' In The Rain was remounted in 1994 for an extensive tour of the United Kingdom. The new production, again directed by Steele, starred Paul Nicholas as Don, Shona Lindsay as Kathy, Tony Howes as Cosmo with Sarah Payne reprising her role as Lina from the original cast.

Singin' In The Rain then saw a new production at the UK s Royal National Theatre, in the Olivier Theatre, from June 2 to July 20, 2000 and again from December 18 to January 27, 2001. This production was a transfer from the West Yorkshire production. Directed by Jude Kelly and choreographed by Stephen Mear, the cast included Zoe Hart as Kathy, Rebecca Thornhill as Lina, and Paul Robinson as Don.

Following that, Singin' In The Rain played Sadler's Wells Theatre from July 29 to September 4, 2004, with direction by Paul Kerryson and choreography by Stephen Mear.


Singin' In The Rain opened at the Palace Theatre on February 4, 2012. Following its critically acclaimed, sell-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre, Jonathan Church's production with choreography by Andrew Wright was produced in the West End by Stage Entertainment UK and Chichester Festival Theatre. The show has also had several a subsequent productions in the US, including at Chicago s Drury

Critical Reaction

"If it doesn t send you dancing down the Charing Cross Road with an inane grin of pleasure on your face, then I can only guess that you are in the vile grip of clinical depression when nothing can lift the spirits." - Telegraph (2012)

"No stage adaptation can hope to recreate everything that's great about that musical, which pokes fun at Hollywood's transition to the talkies. But this Drury Lane Theatre production comes pretty darned close." - Chicago Reader (2012)

"It was a textbook example of the American Musical, lively and entertaining from start to finish." - Centerstage (2012)

Academy Award

1952 - Best Supporting Actress, Nominee (Jean Hagen)

Theatre World Award

1986 - Best Debut Performance, Winner (Faye Grant)

Drama Desk Award

1986 - Outstanding Book of a Musical, Nominee (Stanley Donen)
1986 - Outstanding Choreography, Nominee (Gene Kelly)
1986 - Outstanding Choreography, Nominee (Twyla Tharp)
1986 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Nominee (Faye Grant)
1986 - Outstanding Special Effects, Winner (Showtech, Inc.)

Tony® Award

1986 - Actor (Musical), Nominee (Don Correia)
1986 - Book Of A Musical, Nominee (Betty Comden and Adolph Green)
1986 - Best Book Of A Musical, Nominee (Betty Comden and Adolph Green)
1986 - Best Actor in a Musical, Nominee (Don Correia)

Olivier Award

2001 - Outstanding Musical Production, Winner (Singin' in the Rain)

Connect

Billing

Based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Inc.

Requirements

Under the terms and conditions of your organisation’s Performance Agreement, the following credits must appear on all advertising (including websites) relating to the production. Credits must be reproduced faithfully in accordance with the following layout. No alterations or deletions can be permitted unless stated below.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN
 

Screenplay by

BETTY COMDEN and ADOLPH GREEN

Songs by

NACIO HERB BROWN and ARTHUR FREED

 

 

 

Based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, by special arrangement with

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Inc.

Music published by EMI, all rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing

LLC

 

(Original Movie Choreography by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen)

Produced by Arrangement With Maurice Rosenfield, Lois F. Rosenfield and Cindy

Pritzker, Inc.

 

 

============================================

Note: the Warner billing must be on its own line directly beneath the

authors, in the same type and style (and at least 75% of the size of the

authors). The EMI billing must be on the following line in the same size as

Warner.

Video Warning

If you purchase a separate Video Licence to allow non-commercial video recording of this production, you must print the following in your programme: ANY VIDEO RECORDING MADE OF THIS PERFORMANCE IS AUTHORISED FOR PERSONAL, AT-HOME, NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY. THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH RECORDING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED UNDER COPYRIGHT LAW. If you do not purchase a separate Video Licence then you must print the following in your programme: The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
ERRATA LIST1
LIBRETTO/VOCAL BOOK24
PIANO CONDUCTOR'S SCORE ACT 12
PIANO CONDUCTOR'S SCORE ACT 22

Production Resources

Resource
CUSTOMIZABLE SHOW POSTER
CUSTOMIZABLE SHOW POSTERS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
LOGO PACK
LOGO PACK DIGITAL
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT MEDIUM
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT SMALL
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT X-LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT XX-LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK CHILD LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK CHILD MEDIUM
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK CHILD SMALL
ORCHEXTRA
PERFORMANCE ACCOMPANIMENT RECORDING
PRODUCTIONPRO
REFERENCE RECORDING
REHEARSAL ACCOMPANIMENT RECORDING
REHEARSCORE APP
SCENIC PROJECTIONS
SCENIC PROJECTIONS PRO
SCENIC PROJECTIONS-ANIMATED
SCENIC PROJECTIONS-STILL
STAGE MANAGER SCRIPT
STAGE WRITE APPLICATION
VIDEO LICENSE
VIRTUAL STAGE MANAGER

STANDARD ORCHESTRATION

InstrumentationDoubling
BASSBASS , TUBA
CELLO
DRUMSBELL PLATE , COWBELL , KIT , RACHET , SLIDE WHISTLE , SUSPENDED CYMBAL , VIBRAPHONE , WOOD BLOCK
KEYBOARD 1CELESTE , HARP , HAWAIIAN GUITAR , PIANO
PERCUSSIONBELLS , CASTANETS , GLOCKENSPIEL , MARACAS , RACHET , SHAKER , SIREN , SLIDE WHISTLE , TAMBOURINE , TEMPLE BLOCKS , TRIANGLE , TYMPANI , VIBRAPHONE , WIND WHISTLE , WOOD BLOCK , XYLOPHONE
REED 1ALTO SAXOPHONE , CLARINET , FLUTE , PICCOLO
REED 2ALTO SAXOPHONE , CLARINET , FLUTE
REED 3CLARINET , TENOR SAXOPHONE
REED 4BARITONE SAXOPHONE , BASS CLARINET , CLARINET
TROMBONE
TROMBONE 2
TRUMPET
TRUMPET 2
TRUMPET 3
VIOLA
VIOLIN