Maine State Music Theater has hit one out of the park … and the ball is still flying! MSMT saved the very best for last with “Singing in the Rain.” This show is absolutely, positively sensational! It’s hard to know where to begin … the cast is perfection, the dancing divine (lots of tap!) and the costumes exquisite in this stage production based on the classic film starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds.

The story line: Back in the days of silent films and for decades afterward, studios “owned” the actors signed with them, prohibiting performers from doing anything with another studio. Publicity departments would link top stars together to create buzz even though, in most cases, the actors were not involved in real life. “Singing in the Rain” begins as the silent film era is coming to an end; the first talking picture, “The Jazz Singer,” has been released by Warner Brothers – and it’s a huge success – imagine! After an initial “denial period” by rival production companies thinking talkies would never catch on – the race is on to produce talkies of their own.

In “Singing,” Don Lockwood (Nicolas Dromard) and Lina “woman with a most disturbingly grating voice” Lamont (Kim Sava) are the “it” couple created by the publicity department of Monumental Studios. Lina believes she and Don are a real couple no matter how much Don denies it. And once Don meets Kathy “I’m a serious actress” Selden (Kate Fahrner), love comes to town – for Don, anyway.

The musical begins outside Graumann's Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard in 1927 as the big silent screen stars of the time are arriving for the opening night of “The Royal Rascal,” the latest Lockwood-Lamont vehicle. As Lina approaches the microphone to address her adoring fans, Don jumps in front of her and speaks on her behalf. Why? Well … let’s just say Lina may have been gifted with a pretty face, but a pleasing voice … mmmm, not so much! 

After all the stars are in the theater, the film begins … And we in the audience get to see it – a version of it, anyway.  In collaboration with WGME 13, MSMT creates not one, but three films for this show. This silent film is quite funny (and yes, you hear the old projector sounds, see the dialogue enclosed by a design border) – really well done.

Don asked his friend, Cosmo Brown (Brian Shepard) also signed with Monumental Studios, to do him a big favor: Go be with Lina at the after party. While Don’s out walking around he sees an attractive woman on a park bench and the flirt in him is ready to play. But, no matter how hard he tries, he cannot impress Miss Kathy Selden. In fact, Kathy tells him she doesn't know who he is and has never seen any of his films (or so she says). Kathy has plans to go to New York City to become a serious actress. Not that Don would know anything about that … Not exactly music to Don’s ears … but, no matter. Love has come to town – and, he can change her mind, after all, he is Don Lockwood!

Later on, at a party thrown by Monumental Pictures Studio head R.F. Simpson (David Girolmo), a giant cake is wheeled in and guess who pops out of the top? Yep, none other than the soon-to-be serious actress herself. Don finds this endlessly amusing and teases her once she’s out of the cake. Kathy, spying a pie on a table near her, decides to throw it in Don’s face, he dodges it – but Lina gets it instead. Screaming to have Kathy’s head on a platter, Lina leaves the studio.

R.F. announces his decision to turn the recently filmed “Dueling Cavalier” into a talkie. But, how can they when the studio’s number one female star has a voice that could clear a theater in record time?

At some point, Kathy auditions for R.F. Naturally, Don happens by but she doesn’t see him. R.F. is impressed with her voice and begins thinking about using Kathy in the talkie instead. But, they can’t let Lina see her around the studio … hmmm…. And, you can imagine what Lina will think of these plans.

Don is concerned about this talking picture. What if he’s not talented enough to do them? And, now the company has to use Lina – she has a contract. R.F. decides to pull in a diction coach for both of his top silent screen stars. MSMT favorite Charis Leos (who also portrays celebrity gossip queen Dora Bailey) is the diction coach Miss Dinsmore – and Leos nails both characters. The scenes in which she’s attempting to give Lina diction lessons are hys-ter-i-cal.

Fast forward to filming … Miss Dinsmore is on set (Leos’ comedic timing shines – the woman doesn’t miss a beat!). A microphone is placed in a bush near the bench Lina is sitting on … and the laughter is non-stop. But the best is when we watch the talking version of “The Dueling Cavalier.” I’m talking non-stop laughs. Non-stop.

The dancing in this show is superb. Dromard, Shepard and Fahrner will make you believe they’ve been “hoofers” all of their professional lives. Special props to Dromard. This man is in just about every dance number and some are technically tricky … particularly when it’s raining.

That’s right. And … for those of you who already have tickets and are in one of the first three rows … special blue raincoats will be handed out before Dromard sings the title song while it’s raining on stage. Talk about daunting! But, he does brilliantly – and the night I was there he did get a bit playful with the audience during the song. You will love it.

After this song you’re thinking “This guy has to be physically exhausted.” Dromard, Shepard and Farhner are tap dancing percussionists extraordinaire. How they manage to do all of that dancing show after show … there’s no doubt about it: dancers are athletes.

Speaking of things extraordinaire, the costumes in this show (like 176 give or take a few) by costume designer Travis M. Grant are alternately dazzling and exquisite. In fact, there are so many costume changes that have to happen in a matter of minutes that you will definitely understand the phrase “the magic of theater.” The song “Beautiful Girl” has over a dozen costumes … And, the four-part “Broadway Melody” … well, I lost count. Bravo Mr. Grant!

After the 15-minute intermission, you’ll be treated to the out-takes from the filming of “The Dueling Cavalier” – the phrase “laugh riot” instantly springs to mind. Oh! And another film bit, “Man on the Screen” finds actor Glenn Anderson portraying a man explaining how the talking pictures are made and how the voices and lips are in sync. Anderson is great on camera. And, I think there are a few out-takes with him, too.

The big ensemble numbers in “Broadway Melody” are roaringly great.

Listen, I can’t rave enough about this show. I can’t rave enough about the cast, the dancing, the costumes … And, remember, I’m the person who thought she didn’t like musicals … MSMT has changed my mind. And “Singing in the Rain,” it will blow your mind. This show is in my MSMT Top 3. And if I could, I’d see this one again.

Bravo to set designer Robert Andrew Kovach, choreography director Marc Robin, music director Ray Fellman and assistant director Ben McNaboe, lighting designer Jesse Klug, and finally, the amazing and talented ensemble performers. Bravo and thank you all!

The show continues through Saturday, Aug. 25. There are still some seats left. Make sure one of them is yours. Call the box office for the Pickard Theater at 725-8769.

As Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark says, “Singing in the Rain” is “… a feast for the senses at every turn ...”