Hard to believe we could wish for more raindrops, but a theatrical downpour of applause is forecast when North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly unveils its splashy new production of “Singin’ In The Rain.” Performance dates are July 5 - 30.

1920s Hollywood is the setting for the light-hearted romantic musical comedy about the early days of talkies, when many a movie studio found itself scrambling to salvage the career of its chipmunk-voiced silent picture star.

The MGM classic has been faithfully and lovingly adapted by Broadway legends Betty Comden and Adolph Green from their original award-winning screenplay. And the score is packed with great songs and dance numbers including "Make 'em Laugh," "Moses Supposes," "Good Mornin'," "You Are My Lucky Star" and, of course, the title song.

Jon Kimbell, NSMT's Artistic Director and Executive Producer commented, "What I love about ‘Singin' in the Rain’ is that it captures the extravagance of classic movie musicals and successfully combines it with the excitement that only live theatre can deliver. When you add to that the creativity of director and choreographer Richard Stafford and the incredible talent of our high energy cast, you can not help but have a happy 'Hollywood' ending."

The cast of “Singin’ In The Rain” will be lead by Matt Loehr (at left above as Don Lockwood), Kelly Felthous (Kathy Selden) and Mark Ledbetter (Cosmo Brown) in the roles made famous in the original film by Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor, respectively. Also featured in the cast is Boston's own Leigh Barrett, Beth Beyer, NSMT audience favorite David Coffee and Martin Van Treuren.

The ensemble includes Gordon Baird, Sae La Chin, Michael Brian Dunn, Sara Edwards, Jenny Florkowski, Garett Hawe, Regan Kays, Julie Kotarides, Leah Landau, Jeff Metzler, Josh Scheer, Nathan Scherich, Jonathan Stahl, Zephyrus White and Neka Zang.

Local young actors involved in the production are: Beverly resident Bethani Boccia; Burlington resident Peter Romagna; North Andover resident Russell Perry; Peabody residents Bernard Baldassaro II, Brooke Nathanson and Justin Sacramone; Salem resident Austin Parker; and Winthrop resident Stephanie Moskal.

Free Audience Enrichment events include the following.

July 7: Meet the Theatre -- a post show audience discussion with the artists;

July 16: Spotlight on History -- a free pre-show discussion focusing on historical issues related to the performance

July 20: Out at the North Shore -- an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post show reception

July 22: Meet the Theatre -- following the 2 p.m. performance, a post-show audience discussion with the artists.

For tickets and information, stop by the box office at 62 Dunham Road in Beverly, call 978-232-7200 or visit www.nsmt.org.

-- OnStage Boston

06/09/06