Singin’ In The Rain set to make a splash in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - From the producers of the box-office triumphs Cats, Mamma Mia!, The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked, comes another critically-acclaimed production from London’s West End — the ever-popular musical Singin’ In The Rain. Presented in Manila by Visa, Singin’ In The Rain will open on Aug. 20 and play for a strictly limited season at The Theatre of Solaire.

For Visa cardholders, advance tickets with a 10-percent discount will be available during the Visa Entertainment pre-sale for all Visa credit, debit and prepaid cardholders from March 2 until April 12 or until tickets are sold out at www.visa.com.ph.

Making a splash from the moment it premiered, the sensational production of Singin’ In The Rain extended its run at the Chichester Festival Theatre in the UK due to unprecedented public demand, before transferring to the famous Palace Theatre in London in 2012. Now, after a sell-out West End season, unparalleled praise from critics and audiences alike, four Olivier Award nominations and a major UK tour, Singin’ In The Rain is set to delight Philippine audiences.

Set in 1927, it tells the story made famous by Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds in the iconic 1952 MGM movie, of the first Hollywood musical, when the silver screen found its voice and left silent movies — and some of its stars — behind. 

The spectacular production is packed full of the charm, romance, comedy and Tinseltown glamour of one of the world’s best-loved movies and features all the songs from the glorious MGM score, including Good Morning, Make ‘em Laugh, Moses Supposes and the classic Singin’ in the Rain.

The movie’s iconic choreography is flawlessly recreated, and with the help of 12,000 liters of water, the audience can enjoy one of the most famous dance routines live on stage, with some leaving the theater a little wetter than when they arrived.

Presenter and CEO of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, James Cundall says, “This production of Singin’ In The Rain was one of the hottest tickets in the West End during its run, and I’m sure it will generate the same buzz in The Philippines. I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to bring one of my favorite musicals to Manila audiences — this show is a winner because it sends people out of the theater in the happiest of moods.”

Co-presenter Paul Dainty, executive chairman of Dainty Group, says, “Singin’ In The Rain is the most brilliant comedy about the film industry. Egomaniac stars, monstrous film moguls, fickle fans, classic ‘golden-era’ choreography and slapstick comedies are all brilliantly included. There are floods of laughter and a drenching of big, colourful and remarkable musical numbers.”

Leading the cast of 27 as the charming Don Lockwood is Grant Almirall, a seasoned star of musicals who recently triumphed in the role of Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys. Musical star Bethany Dickson, who has recently wowed audiences across China, New Zealand and Singapore with her performance as Maria in The Sound of Music, returns to the stage as the aspiring actress Kathy Selden. 

Don is a silent movie star with everything he could want — fame, adulation and a well-publicized “romance” with his co-star Lina Lamont. But Hollywood is about to change forever. There is rumor in the studio of a new kind of film, where the actors actually talk, sing and dance. Can Don and the uniquely-voiced Lina make the transition? Will chorus girl Kathy fulfill her dream of stardom and capture Don’s heart along the way?

Singin’ In The Rain is brought to Manila by David Atkins Enterprises, Michael Cassel Group, Concertus Manila, Dainty Group and Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and is produced by Stage Entertainment and Chichester Festival Theatre. For details, call 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.