Show guide
Singin' in the Rain
Singin' in the Rain is a joyful, tap heavy musical comedy set in Hollywood during the industry's turbulent shift from silent films to talkies. Its Broadway production opened in 1985, bringing the beloved film musical to the stage.
- Broadway premiere
- 1985
- Music by
- Nacio Herb Brown
- Genre
- Jukebox
- Setting
- 1920s
Singin' in the Rain: quick answers
What is Singin' in the Rain about?
- In 1927 Hollywood, silent film star Don Lockwood must survive the switch to talking pictures while his grating-voiced co-star, Lina Lamont, threatens the studio's first musical, and he falls for Kathy Selden, the aspiring actress secretly dubbing Lina's voice.
When did Singin' in the Rain open on Broadway?
- Singin' in the Rain opened on Broadway on July 2, 1985, at the Gershwin Theatre, directed and choreographed by Twyla Tharp, and closed on May 18, 1986, after 367 performances.
Is Singin' in the Rain a jukebox musical?
- In effect, yes. Like the 1952 film, it is built mostly from existing songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed written for earlier MGM musicals, and the stage version adds period songs by other writers, including the Gershwins and Cole Porter.
Where and when is Singin' in the Rain set?
- Singin' in the Rain is set in Hollywood beginning in 1927, as the movie studios switch from silent films to talking pictures.
Has Singin' in the Rain played in London's West End?
- The stage version premiered in the West End at the London Palladium on June 30, 1983, directed by and starring Tommy Steele, two years before Broadway. A Chichester Festival Theatre revival transferred to the Palace Theatre in 2012.
Is there a Singin' in the Rain movie?
- The musical is adapted from the 1952 MGM film directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, starring Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, and Jean Hagen, who earned an Oscar nomination as Lina Lamont.
The story of Singin' in the Rain
Set in Hollywood in the late 1920s, the show follows a popular silent film star navigating the chaotic transition to sound pictures, along with the complications this brings to his career, his romances, and his onscreen partnership. The story pokes affectionate fun at the film industry's growing pains during this pivotal era.
With its glamorous studio backdrop and colorful cast of actors, directors, and hopeful newcomers, the show captures a specific and vividly theatrical moment in entertainment history. It balances romantic comedy with satire of showbiz vanity and ambition.
The music and the makers
Singin' in the Rain is a jukebox style musical built around songs primarily composed by Nacio Herb Brown, drawn from the classic film and the broader catalog of early Hollywood musical numbers. The score favors bright, brassy orchestrations and elaborate tap choreography, capturing the exuberant spirit of the golden age of movie musicals.
The production is especially known for its dazzling dance sequences, including the iconic rain soaked title number, which demands both vocal charm and serious tap dancing skill from its leads. It is a score built as much for spectacle and movement as for melody.
Singin' in the Rain on Broadway
The stage adaptation of Singin' in the Rain opened on Broadway in 1985, bringing the famous film's romance and showmanship to a live audience. Its blend of nostalgia, humor, and technically demanding dance numbers made it a crowd pleasing production.
Audiences continue to be drawn to the show for its warmth, its old Hollywood glamour, and the sheer joy of watching skilled performers tap and splash their way through its signature numbers. It remains a beloved example of classic film turned stage musical.
Singin' in the Rain: frequently asked questions
When did Singin' in the Rain open on Broadway?
The Broadway production opened in 1985.
Who composed Singin' in the Rain?
The songs are primarily by Nacio Herb Brown, drawn from the classic film and its era of Hollywood musicals.
What is Singin' in the Rain about?
It is set in Hollywood in the late 1920s and follows a film star navigating the industry's shift from silent movies to talkies.
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