Fosters.com: 'Singin' in the Rain' dazzlingly brilliant

How dare the Ogunquit Playhouse attempt to reprise Gene Kelly's "Singin' in the Rain"? After all there is only one Gene Kelly.

That was the question posed by one theatergoer Thursday while waiting for the curtain to rise on opening night.

At the end of the evening, however, the answer was apparent as the audience gave the cast and crew a standing ovation.

Gene Kelly is unquestionably one of the most talented, if not the most talented dancer to appear on stage and screen. That puts an unreasonable burden on any theater company that offers "Singin' in the Rain."

As a result any fair critique requires a look at the overall production — and that is what passed muster with the opening night audience.

Set design, lighting, costuming, choreography and some brilliant talent are what pleased a full house.

"Singin' in the Rain" is the story of Hollywood's transition from silent films to "talkies." It deals with the struggle of actors and actresses to match their silent persona with their ability to talk and sing — to be heard. 

In the real world, many were unable to make the transition. In "Singin' in the Rain" it is the stunningly beautiful Lina Lamont (played by Amy Bodnar) whose screechy fingernails-on-a-chalkboard voice stands in her way.

Playing her handsome male counterpart is Joey Sorge, in the role of Don Lockwood, who is able to make the transition.

As Lockwood, Sorge is required to portray a gamut of emotions only to realize in the end that "all you've gotta do is dance" — and dance he does.

Lockwood's love interest and foil to Lamont is Kathy Selden, played by Amanda Lea LaVergne, a Playhouse alum.

LaVergne's performance is the glue that binds this Playhouse cast together. Her stage presence seems to energize everyone. Her connection with the audience is magnetic.

Also infectious, while providing highly skilled comic relief, is Jon Peterson in the role of Cosmos.

Peterson's facial humor is akin to that of Don Knots, while his fall-down comedy is reminiscent of John Belushi or John Candy, only 200 pounds lighter.

Both LaVergne and Peterson can be considered Broadway-level talent.

Ensemble dance performances, primarily after intermission, were also strikingly well done.

Beyond the cast, there is much that made the audience applaud, lighting and costuming among them. Dazzlingly brilliant is one of the many ways to describe how well both work together. There are also many subtle aspects that make "Singin' in the Rain" work.

The production required the cast and crew to re-created some silent film footage. This was done with just enough of a sarcastic edge to be poignant and witty at the same time.

Supporting this effort was an orchestra that offered notes just tinny enough at times to make you think you were listening to the musical accompaniment of a real silent film.

One not-so-subtle aspect of the production that needs mention is the indoor rainstorm the Playhouse used for the Gene Kelly dance scene as well as the finale.

No spoiling the surprise here. Let's just say the results were impressive.

Theatergoers should be cautioned, however, that the need to make it rain indoors and dry things out during an extended intermission stretched the evening out a bit. Frequent set changes also seem to add to the clock.

But the laughter and repeated applause offered by the audience, seemed to indicate this wasn't much of a problem.