Singin' in the Rain
at Freedom High School

Reviewed on March 9, 2019

Carolyn Best
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Whether it was scattered showers of vaudeville tap dancing or cloudy with a chance of Broadway Rhythm, during Freedom High School's production of "Singin' in the Rain," when it rained, it poured!

Based on Gene Kelly's legendary 1950's movie musical, the "Singin' in the Rain" stage adaptation features book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, music by Nacio Herb Brown, and lyrics by Arthur Freed. Originally premiering in London in 1983 and moving to Broadway in 1985, the show has enjoyed numerous Laurence Olivier and Tony nods, including winning the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival in 2001.

Set at the dawn of the talking picture, the iconic musical follows a 1920�fs Hollywood silent film production company's search for the limelight. Led by successful silent film star Don Lockwood, his right-hand man Cosmo Brown, and his love interest Kathy Seldon, the trio set out to save the studio's latest flop by turning it into a musical. Whether its wrestling with covering for the Lockwood's less than talented co-star Lina Lamont or wrestling with a newfangled microphone, the trio learns to take on every challenge with a laugh, come rain or shine.

Playing the famous puddle jumper himself, Ethan Van Slyke proved a limitless triple threat as Don Lockwood. Delicately teeter-tottering Don's suave celebrity status with his equally important soft romantic side, Van Slyke evoked Gene Kelly with ease, not to mention his expert tapping skills.

A hero's story is not complete without his sidekick, and Josh Lee stepped up to the plate and the keys as Lockwood's hilarious dancing, singing, piano-playing pal, Cosmo Brown. In show stoppers like "Make 'Em Laugh" and "Moses Supposes", Lees wits were as quick as his feet.

Breaking the rules of the requisite musical love interest, Julia Leipertz showed she could hold her own as the spunky and sweet Kathy Seldon, all the while happy to lend a helping hand. Leipertz's lovely energy was marvelously counterbalanced by Sarah Rice's portrayal of the brassy and nasal Lina Lamont. Rice delved into playing the character we "can't stand". As Lina would say, what's wrong with Sarah Rice? Nothin!

The musical's ensemble was fit as a fiddle, enhancing every scene with vibrant energy even on the cloudiest of days.

Pushing the show above and beyond were student choreographers Ethan Van Slyke and Austin Taylor. Proving it would be hard to fill their tap shoes, the duo never shied away from making sure their dance was en pointe. Seriously, Gene Kelly has met his match.

Equally as impressive were special effects. TJ Hartless, Miguel Davila, and Ryan Burke expertly included and modified film to make a real scrappy staticky feel. And you can't have "Singin' in the Rain" without rain, right? The inclusion of a high-tech rain curtain made for a spectacularly soggy show.

The Lucky Stars of Freedom High School's Production shined bright, leaving audiences with suns in their hearts and ready for love.

Lizzy Maisel
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Where can you find demanding divas, tap dancing fiddlers, comedic chaos, and a multitude of umbrellas? Why, Singin' in the Rain! Freedom High School's production of Singin' in the Rain incorporated all of this and more with its talented cast and crew.

With book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music and lyrics by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown, Singin' in the Rain has previously been named one of the greatest motion pictures of all time. The well-known film starring Gene Kelly was later adapted for West End and eventually hit the Broadway stage in 1985.

Set in Hollywood in 1927, Singin' in the Rain focuses around suave movie star Don Lockwood and his narcissistic co-star Lina Lamont. The two are adored by fans for their work in silent films but when their producer at Monumental Studios wishes to create the company's first musical picture there's just one problem. Lina can't talk, let alone sing, without people cringing at the sound of her voice. The effort put forth by the entire cast reflected their hard work and brought the show to life.

Ethan Van Slyke commanded the stage as Don Lockwood. Performing complex tap routines that he choreographed with the help of Austin Taylor, Van Slyke captured Lockwood's charming and smooth nature. His happy-go-lucky attitude in "Singin' in the Rain" contrasted well with ensemble members who frantically rushed across the stage to avoid being rained on. Van Slyke maintained a sweet romantic connection with Julia Leipertz who portrayed the role of Kathy Seldon. Don and Kathy unintentionally meet on a park bench one day when Don attempts to escape from a crowd of fans. Their relationship only grew following the park bench meeting and Leipertz and Van Slyke's voices blended beautifully together in "Lucky Star Reprise." Leipertz shone especially in "Kathy's Would You" and she consistently carried herself grace and ingenuity.

Josh Lee portrayed Cosmo Brown, the playful pianist and loyal friend to Don Lockwood, with comedic flare. Lee matched Van Slyke's energy in their tap duets "Fit as a Fiddle" and "Moses Supposes" and their timing as well as partnership were remarkable. Lee's physicality and humor throughout "Make 'Em Laugh" was hysterically his own. Sarah Rice dominated in the role of Lina Lamont. Her whiny voice and impatient tone reflected her character's identity perfectly.

The technical elements of the show further enhanced the overall performance from each actor. Austin Taylor and Ethan Van Slyke's immaculate choreography especially in tap routines were clean and pleasing to the eye. The special effects team (TJ Hartless, Ryan Burke, Kayla Cooper) outdid themselves with rain onstage during "Singin' in the Rain." When added to Van Slyke's dancing, this proved to be a true treat for the audience.

The cast and crew of Freedom High School's Singin' in the Rain produced a work of art. Their production left audience members yearning to sing and dance in the rain as if they were Don Lockwood.

Oscar Lazo
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Trickling raindrops splash on the umbrellas of the pedestrian-filled streets of 1920's Hollywood as citizens enter their local theater to see black and white films starring the accomplished Don Lockwood. The age of silent films makes a return in Freedom High School's rendition of Broadway classic Singin' in the Rain.

Adapted from the 1952 film, "Singin'in the Rain" takes audiences back in time to the era of black and white silent films and the transition into the revolutionary introduction of sound. Written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green with lyrics by Arthur Reed and music by Nacio Herb Brown, the musical opened on Broadway in 1985, which garnered two Tony nominations in 1986.

Ensemble members illustrated the backgrounds of Singin' in the Rain through being featured in visually appealing dance numbers such as "Moses Supposes Reprise." With strong harmonies and colorful choruses, each member of the ensemble sang with full devotion to their parts. When not being in the spotlight, ensemble members continued to act as their own individual characters behind the principle story line.

Ethan Van Slyke's abilities as a triple threat were impressive and admirable as he swiftly tapped his way through dance numbers and presented a charismatic portrayal of Don Lockwood. Van Slyke's sharp talents allowed him to portray Don with prestigious tap dancing ability and crisp characterization, especially in title song number "Singin' in the Rain." Paired with Van Slyke's Don Lockwood is Josh Lee in the role of Cosmo Brown. Lee's performance as Cosmo was stellar with a ridiculously hilarious rendition of "Make ‘Em Laugh" which left audience members chuckling as they watched Lee give the memorable number a fresh interpretation. Lee also provided Cosmo notable tap technique and charming vocals.

With perfection of comedic timing and dedication to her character, Sarah Rice played the troublesome actress Lina Lamont. Rice crafted a character voice which she consistently put into action in order to bring Lina's personality to life, which was done so especially in "What's Wrong With Me?" In the role of Don Lockwood's romantic interest Kathy, Julia Leipertz captured the ears of audience members as she filled the role with enchanting vocals in "Lucky Star" and showcased her acting skills as Don's romantic interest.

Intense and show-stopping choreography by Ethan Van Slyke and Austin Taylor was no less than absolutely remarkable. Tap numbers such as "Fit As a Fiddle" and portions of "Broadway Melody/Rhythm" were a spectacle to watch and displayed the talents of the cast as they performed thrilling dance routines. The marketing team (led by Sam Rast) spread news of their production by visiting local elementary schools with the cast and planned various activities for the elementary-aged students.

Ensemble members put on their ponchos and open their umbrellas for a closing dance sequence as the successes of Don Lockwood, Cosmo Brown, and Kathy Seldon continue to shine through the sprinkling mist as sound is finally brought to film and the curtain closes on Freedom High School's energetic performance of Singin' in the Rain.

Elizabeth Germain
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Now

"What's the first thing an actor learns? The show must go on!" This is easier said than done in "Singin' in the Rain," performed this past weekend at Freedom High School. This 1983 musical with book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown is based on the hit 1952 movie of the same name and is set in the time of Hollywood's tumultuous transition from silent films to the 'talkies.' Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are Hollywood's top romantic duo on screen and the tabloids have wedding bells ringing for them despite no actual romantic relationship. Still, Don must hide his budding romance with the aspiring young actress Kathy Seldon. When the studio decides to make a Lockwood and Lamont talking picture, Lina's voice, which is obnoxious enough to "bring back silent pictures," spells ruin for the film. Then, Don's best friend Cosmo has an idea that just might save the movie.

Ethan Van Slyke expertly portrayed Don Lockwood with stunning vocals in the 1950's crooning style, intricate tap dancing, and nuanced acting. He imbued the iconic number "Singin' in the Rain" with a carefree joyful spirit as he splashed in the falling water and gracefully twirled and tossed his umbrella. His profession of love in "You Were Meant for Me" was heartfelt and warmly received by Julia Leipertz as Kathy Seldon.

Josh Lee sublimely portrayed Cosmo Brown. He tap-danced effortlessly alongside Van Slyke in rambunctiously fun vaudevillian numbers such as "Fit as a Fiddle" and "Moses Supposes." His voice blended beautifully with Van Slyke's and their dynamic was that of lifelong best friends. Whether he was racing about the stage making a fool of himself in "Make 'Em Laugh" or demonstrating his vision of a grand cinematic tap number in "Broadway Rhythm," Lee tirelessly committed to the role. Another notable performance was given by Sarah Rice as Lina Lamont. She consistently maintained Lina's high-pitched whiny voice even when she sang and made evident her jealousy of Kathy and her constant need for adoration. Luke Rahman shone as the frustrated director Roscoe Dexter and Stephanie Celem as the charismatic reporter Dora Bailey.

The costumes by Hannah Peters, Anna McDonald, and the costumes crew fit the period and the blue-and-purple color scheme of the show. In the title song, TJ Hartless, Ryan Burke, and Kayla Cooper successfully made it rain onstage, adding to the number's whimsicality. The show featured several clips of both silent and talking black-and-white pictures featuring Don and Lina. These were created by Kensley Hess, Amanda Wilfong, and Ryan Burke, and had the look and sound of real 1920's film. Among the most impressive aspects of the show was the choreography by Austin Taylor and Ethan Van Slyke. Not only did these two performers pull off intricate tap moves as featured dancers, they also ensured that every ensemble member looked good. Each number was clear and crisp and of a slightly different flavor from the one before.

Strong performances and creative technical elements brought together Freedom High School's performance of Singin' in the Rain. "Come rain, come shine, come snow, come sleet, the show must go on," and this particular show went on spectacularly.

Kristen Waagner
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Times-Mirror

Come rain or come shine, singing can always make things a little brighter. And at Freedom High School's production of "Singin' in the Rain," when thunder strikes, all you have to do is put on your tap shoes and you'll see a silver lining.

"Singin' in the Rain" was first conceived as the classic 1952 film, widely considered one of the greatest of all time. The affectionate ode to cinema starred theatre legend Gene Kelly and featured a collection of hits from songwriting duo Comden and Green. The stage musical premiered in London in 1982 with all the beloved scenes from the movie: from extravagant film premieres to, of course, singing (and dancing!) in the rain.

At the dawn of the era of talkies' in Hollywood, silent film star Don Lockwood struggles to adapt to the changing times. When his latest picture flops, it is up to him to save the film by making it into a musical! Only one thing could go wrong; his co-star is a disagreeable diva with a dreadful voice. With the help of his friend Cosmo and the young starlet Kathy Selden, Don must save the show and his career before Lina Lamont ruins everything for good.

Starring as Don Lockwood, Ethan Van Slyke was every bit the dapper Hollywood gentleman, with a dulcet croon and unbeatable tap-dancing chops. From his first dance appearance to the eponymous "Singin' in the Rain," Van Slyke moved with strength and precision, easily executing complex rhythms and steps. His magnetic charisma only augmented the development relationship with the earnest Kathy Selden, played by Julia Leipertz. Leipertz's sweet nature matched her voice as she dubbed over the sour Lina's squeaky tones.
That prima donna was delightfully played by Sarah Rice. With bleach-blonde curls and a signature pout, Rice embodied the spoiled diva with hilarious tantrums that culminated in her winning solo, "What's Wrong With Me," a welcome deviation from the film. Another standout was Lockwood's best friend Cosmo Brown (Josh Lee), who rounded out the main trio with deadpan humor and comic one-liners that brought the house down. Lee's tap-dancing skills should not go unnoticed; his flying feet matched Van Slyke's in "Moses Supposes," one of the best moments of the night.

The talented cast of "Singin' in the Rain" was supported by stellar technical elements marked by their stylish unity. Adhering to a color scheme of blue and purple, costumes were neat and polished and matched the lights often projected on the cyclorama. Most impressive was the rain probe that poured actual water onto the stage, which sparkled while adding a special touch to the title number. Even as Lockwood closed his umbrella and began to splash around, his microphone remained perfectly clear, a testament to the combined efforts of the sound and special effects teams.

You'll be thanking your lucky stars that you got to witness the magic of "Singin' in the Rain," a love letter to classic cinema and a reminder that no matter how times change, musicals are there to make 'em laugh.