Articles in the On Stage Category
About the Berkeley Playhouse Production:
With its witty script, hilarious high-jinks, acrobatic antics and unforgettable song & dance numbers, Singin’ in the Rain has been a family favorite since the early 1950’s. The Berkeley Playhouse production directed by Matthew Graham Smith, a graduate of Dell’Arte School of Physical Theatre, aims to enrich the fun, fast-paced experience even further by turning the beautiful Julia Morgan Theatre into a 1920’s Hollywood sound stage. Smith’s production seduces the imagination with old movie making tricks and illusions. Most suited to ages 4 and up, children will not only enjoy the clowning and dance choreography in numbers like “Make em Laugh” and “Moses Supposes”, but will also be mesmerized by the use of old Hollywood devices in creating effects such as the rain in the title song, “Singin’ in the Rain”!
What is it about:
Silent movie star, Don Lockwood, is paired on screen with the glamorous but narcissistic Lina Lamont, who would like nothing more than to be paired with Don off screen as well. Much to the chagrin of Lina, however, Don has fallen in love with a down-to-earth chorus girl, Kathy Seldon, a dancer he’d met by chance on set.
When a competing studio comes out with the first talking movie, The Jazz Singer, Don and Lina are encouraged to capitalize on their Hollywood-faked chemistry and stardom to make a talking movie too, but the results are disastrous. Obvious to all in the studio, but Lina Lamont herself, Lina’s speaking voice is totally unsuited to talkies!
Don, Kathy and Don’s best friend, Cosmo, brainstorm a way to save the show by turning the production into a musical and dubbing Kathy’s voice over Lina’s. When the jealous Lina finds out she refuses to share the credit and tricks Kathy into dubbing all her movies, taking all the credit, until she is inadvertently tricked into exposing herself and Kathy in front of an adoring audience.
The run time for Singin’ in the Rain is 2 hours and 20 minutes with intermission.
How to make your child’s experience better:
The stage production of Singin’ in the Rain is based on the MGM musical (in fact it was one of the first musicals to go from movie to stage, as opposed to the other way round) so parents of young children may want to familiarize them with the story by renting the movie. The movie, starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’ Connor and Debbie Reynolds is considered the gold standard in movie musicals because it has it all: big stars, hilarious script, romance, hit tunes and big productions numbers.
One of the most beloved musicals of all times,Oliver! brings Charles Dickens’ timeless characters to life. Follow Oliver Twist’s adventures from an orphanage to a master thief’s hideout to a London mansion in this triumphant tale. With show-stopping songs like “Food, Glorious Food!” and “Consider Yourself,” Oliver! is a music theatre treasure for the whole family. Directed by Molly Aaronson-Gelb / Music Direction by Phil Gorman. Opens April 23, runs through May 16, 2010 @ the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. Click here for show dates, or to buy tickets now.
The first Youth Company auditions for Summer 2010 took place on Saturday, January 23. Results of those auditions were communicated with families on January 29. We still have a few spots open in our auditioned programs (Planet Z for Grades 8-12, and Guys & Dolls for Grades 4-7), but you must act fast. Email us at: conservatory@ berkeleyplayhouse.com (see below for details). Just added: Another exciting program for teens and pre-teens for Summer 2010. This a non-auditioned program, although some experience is necessary Click here to read more…
Enrollment for Summer Camps is now available! We offer a wide variety of dates for pre-school and elementary school ages. Click on the graphics below for a complete list and description of the camps offered in each age range. Our enrollment process is Click here to read more…
Click here to order tickets now
MARCH 6 – MARCH 21
Fridays at 7:30pm/Saturdays at 2pm and 7pm /Sundays at 1pm and 6pm
Pay What You Can Thursday, March 18, 7:30 pm!
Considered by many to be the gold standard in movie musicals, Berkeley Playhouse makes a splash with an exciting stage adaptation. Set in a time when silent movies are being replaced by “talkies,” Singin’ In the Rain is an exuberant celebration of life and love—a story that leaves you feeling like anything is possible.
Run time: 2 hours 20 minutes with Intermission.
Directed by Matthew Graham Smith
Choreography by Chris Black
Music Direction by Robbie Cowan
Based on the MGM film (1952)
Screenplay & Adaptation by Betty Comden & Adolph Green
Music by Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics by Arthur Freed
It’s a fine, fine life…
The Julia Morgan Center for the Arts (2640 College Avenue, Berkeley)
Click here to order tickets now
One of the most beloved musicals of all times,Oliver! brings Dickens’ timeless characters to life. Follow Oliver Twist’s adventures from an orphanage to a master thief’s hideout to a London mansion in this triumphant tale. With show-stopping songs like “Food, Glorious Food!” and “Consider Yourself,” Oliver! is a music theatre treasure for the whole family.
Directed by Molly Aaronson-Gelb
Music Direction by Phil Gorman
Based on Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Music & Lyrics by Lionel Bart
