By KRISTIN MACDOUGALL April 4, 2008

April is finally here! It’s time for theater-lovers of all ages to pull on their galoshes, open their umbrellas and take a stroll to The Footlight Club on Eliot Street for “Singin’ in the Rain.” This big, bright musical classic plays weekends April 4 -19.

Like the Gene Kelly movie it’s based on, “Singin’ in the Rain” is set in Hollywood at the end of the silent screen era and the dawn of talking pictures. The story follows the big-screen capers of leading man Don Lockwood (Matthew Finn); his sidekick Cosmo Brown (Noah Tobin); talented but atonal diva Lena Lamont; and an aspiring ingénue, Kathy Selden (Vicki Hanes). A singin,’ dancin’ ensemble of hard-working studio workers keeps the action moving and the toes tapping.

The score boasts some of the catchiest music ever written for musical theater, such as “Make ’Em Laugh,” “Lucky Starr,” “Good Mornin’,” and, of course, “Singin’ in the Rain.”

Several cast members are JP residents. Rob Guptill plays movie studio lackey Roscoe Dexter. Elizabeth Doran, Allison Warshof and Shauna Onofrey are in the ensemble. Maureen Festa doubles as costume designer and an ensemble member. JP resident Michael Glashow is the show’s music director. Backstage, Christopher Nadeau serves as assistant stage manager, Patricia Dognazzi operates the light board, Judy Leonardo is the makeup artist and Brad Reed runs the spotlight. Rob Festa and Noah Minton are featured as studio workers.

How will it rain on stage? It’s a secret! The music and story may be familiar, but this production of “Singin’ in the Rain” still has a few tricks up its sleeve!

The Footlight Club production of “Singin’ in the Rain,” is based on the MGM film (1952), with book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, lyrics by Arthur Freed and music by Nacio Brown. It is directed by Peyton Pugmire with choreography by Bridget Shaughnessey. Rebecca Gluklitch is dance captain.

Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays, April 4-19 at 8 p.m., plus one Sunday matinee on April 13 at 2 p.m. To reserve tickets, visit www.footlight.org or call 524-3200. The Footlight Club is located at 7A Eliot Street, off Centre Street near the Monument.

This is a huge production for America’s oldest community theater, and it would not be possible without the very generous contributions of several JP individuals and businesses. Special thanks to Jonathan Crutchley, Salmagundi, Taylor House B&B, The Video Underground, Same Old Place, Costello’s Tavern, The Galway House and Central Congregational Church.

The writer is the artistic director of The Footlight Club.