SHOWS

Singin’ in the Rain

Written by Adolph Green (story) & Betty Comden (story)
Directed by Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly

Presented by DCA Theater & Dance: Dance Film Series

Tuesday, February 28
6:30 PM — 8:15 PM
Claudia Cassidy Theater
FREE; no ticket or reservation required

Singin’ in the Rain offers a comic depiction of Hollywood, and its transition from silent films to “talkies.” Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, Singin’ in the Rain is frequently described as one of the best musicals ever made, containing thrilling dance numbers and unforgettable songs.

Singin’ in the Rain is the first in a series of dance films to be presented at the Cultural Center. The film screening is presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture.

Includes what Roger Ebert has called “the most joyous musical sequence ever filmed.”

Ranked the American Film Institute’s #1 greatest movie musical of all time!

Ranked the 10th greatest movie of all time by Entertainment Weekly!

What movie has so pervaded pop culture through the years that it’s been referred to on Sesame Street, Glee, Animaniacs, Family Guy, Saturday Night Live, the Marx Brothers’ A Night at the Opera, A Clockwork Orange, and in many other TV shows, songs, films, etc.? You guessed it - Singin in the Rain!

In the 1952 New York Times review of the film, Bosley Crowther had this to say about the dancing:

“Mr. Kelly who plays the silent film star up from burlesque and vaudeville, runs away, of course, with the dancing—and, as a matter of fact, with most of the songs.

His dance and duet with Debbie Reynolds to “You Were Meant For Me” is a sweet lump of Technicolored sugar, and his galloping through “Broadway Ballet” is a lot of eye-filling acrobatics against a mammoth production splurge. This is a combination of the oldies, “Broadway Rhythm” and “Broadway Melody,” with Cyd Charisse stepping out of nowhere to do a lovely dream dance with Mr. K. But by far his most captivating number is done to the title song—a beautifully soggy tap dance performed in the splashing rain.

Donald O’Connor, as Mr. Kelly’s sidekick, also has a jolly romp in a battering and bruising slapstick number entitled “Make Me Laugh” and joins with the star in making “Moses” a lively thing.”

Information on future screenings in the Dance Film Series will be available on DCATheater.org soon.