Director Tim Nelson’s production is up to the high standards set by the show’s posh new surroundings, beginning with their impressive cast of APA talents. Leading them is senior Kyle Selig, who will also take the lead in their spring drama Dark of the Moon. But it’s in Singin’ where we get to see this triple threat show off all his singing, acting, and dashing dancing skills. Not to mention his semi-superhero abilities as portrayed in their silent film screening of The Royal Rascal that has Don Lockwood jumping down more than a dozen feet from a balcony and head-butting a bad guy (which makes him say “ouch” via subtitles).

Joining him is Sami Biardi as a talented and lovable Kathy Selden, with Quinn Nagle as a charismatic and entertaining Cosmo Brown, the trio of friends working together with great chemistry throughout including a rousing Good Morning. While Sara Budnik is a riot as the ditzy and venomous Lina Lamont, growing hilariously frustrated by emerging technologies and with people, and not shy of letting those technologies and people know just how she feels with an angry shout and an amusing, scoffing laugh.

Other highlights include Patrick Hudson as a gruff director and Garrett Brown as his very, very un-gruff gay assistant Roscoe Dexter. Jacob Gonzalez lends his smooth vocals in serenading the cast’s Beautiful Girls. Such girls include Hayleigh Green as dance extraordinaire Girl in the Green Dress during the big Broadway Melody scene. Speaking of dancing, choreographer Diana Makas has put together an impressive array of energetic and challenging dance scenes from the Good Morning that incorporates a little hula dancing to the big, showy Gotta Dance to the remarkable tapping in Moses Supposes and the dancing and splashing in the rain for the show’s title piece, with her dancers nailing it with style throughout.

All the production values were extremely high. Gorgeous period costumes by student designers Nicole Russick, Crystal Halbeck, Rachel Laing, and Kiley Masters, breathtaking sets by student designer Michelle “Missy” Hakam, and a student orchestra of professional quality conducted by Gregg Gilboe, all combining for an exemplary evening of singing and dancing in the school’s new theatre.

Performed March 19 - 28, 2010

Rob Hopper
rob@nationalyouththeatre.com
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Executive Director
National Youth Arts

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