CAST members of “Singin’ in the Rain” perform spiritedly under gallons of recycled water. They are required to be proficient in at least four different dance styles.
SINGAPORE—In recreating Gene Kelly’s iconic dance sequence for the stage adaptation of the 1952 film “Singin’ in the Rain,” South African theater actor Duane Alexander, who portrays the lead role of Don Lockwood in the musical’s touring production, typically likes to execute the intricately-choreographed routine with abandon.
In a recent show at the Marina Bay Sands’ MasterCard Grand Theatre, Alexander did appear to have thrown caution to the wind—swinging from a lamppost, hopping about and prancing across the stage with unwavering intensity, while sprinklers overhead pelted him with a rattling downpour.
But not nearly all caution, we found out, in an interview later on. While he makes it a point to give his all in each performance, there’s still a part of him that says, “Don’t slip.” And never has he been more mindful of its possibility than in the course of “Singin’ in the Rain’s” run in this port city.
Alexander was originally the alternate Don, doing only two shows a week as the said character. However, he saw his workload unexpectedly quadrupling, after the principal actor, Grant Almirall, broke a foot during rehearsals, forcing the latter to sit out the tour, which goes to Manila later this month.
Cheerful, careful
“Normally, you want to move freely and just be cheerful and joyful. But with Grant being injured, I have to be more careful. Of course, I do my best, but I’m also more conscious, and make sure I don’t do something silly,” Alexander said. “Otherwise, we’ll be in trouble!”
The 35-year-old artist, who’s also the dance captain of the production, likened the experience to a “marathon”—“exhausting, but always exhilarating and rewarding.” Thankfully for Alexander, an understudy will have been selected to serve as his reliever by the time the show makes its first splash at Solaire’s The Theatre on Aug. 20.
Like its namesake film, the stage version of “Singin’ in the Rain” tells the story of silver screen star Don, his love interest and aspiring actress Kathy Selden (Bethany Dickson) and his best friend Cosmo Brown (Steven van Wyk), as they struggle to adapt during the movie industry’s transition from the “silent era” to the “sound era” that began in 1927.
The production has Jonathan Church as director, with Robert Scott as musical supervisor and Olivier Award-nominated Andrew Wright as choreographer.
The musical, which was first staged in 1983 in London’s West End, requires the most gifted of performers, who can sing well and are proficient in at least four different styles of dance: tap, jazz, ballet and contemporary. And some of them have to do all these, while wielding props and wearing costumes weighed down by water.
Thus, Alexander sees himself not only as an artist, but also an athlete, who needs to be in top condition—or at least close to it—every time he takes the stage for the two-and-a-half hour “run up the hill” that is “Singin’ in the Rain.”
Fitness regimen
“I eat carefully, sleep well and follow a fitness regimen. I swim to boost my lung capacity and improve the mobility of my joints. I do a lot of lifting and partner work, too, so I also do strength training,” related Alexander, adding that the most challenging part of doing the show is sustaining the energy from beginning to end.
“SINGIN’ in the Rain” performers jump about in a dry dance number.
“There are blocks in the show where I don’t get much rest. The first 20 minutes, in particular, is non-stop… I have no time to breathe; I have to keep moving,” he said. “Numbers such as ‘Good Morning’ and ‘Broadway Ballet’ (which lasts 11 minutes) are challenging.”
It goes without saying, however, that the section he enjoys most is the show’s highlight, “Singin’ in the Rain,” in which 2,000 liters of water are released from above, while 4,000 liters get pumped up from below the slatted dance area to create a flood (another 6,000 liters are used for the show’s finale).
Splash zone
And as Alexander pays homage to Kelly, he kicks water to the fans in the first three rows, also known as the “splash zone.” “The choreography is just wonderful and the live rain, which is something not usually seen onstage, creates a fantastic effect,” said the actor, who has previously worked in such plays as “Cats,” “Rent,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Jersey Boys.”
More than aesthetic purposes, the rain, Alexander pointed out, also shatters the proverbial “fourth wall.” “It’s a nice interaction between me and the crowd, a shared moment. It’s good fun for everyone. The number of kicks, splashes are set. But if I feel that they’re really into it, I try to kick even harder,” he said, laughing.
“It’s also a very emotional journey for my character. His place in the industry is threatened with the imminent death of silent films, but he and his friends were able to come up with a plan to save their careers and make the transition,” Alexander added. “He’s in a better space at that moment, both mentally and emotionally.”
In a way, he sees himself in his character, in that they’re both ambitious and passionate performers, who have gone through bouts of insecurities.
“Like Don, I ask myself sometimes if I’m good enough to book the next job or be in a new production, especially since I’m an aging performer competing with the new generation of actors for the same roles,” said Alexander, who has always aspired to be like Kelly, and described playing Don “a dream come true.” “That’s why I try to keep up so I don’t become irrelevant.”
Rainbow
Meanwhile, asked if he has danced in actual rain, Alexander said “yes, a few times, actually.” Like that time when he and his sister—as children—danced, as they tried searching for a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow one sunny, but rainy day.
Or during that theme party in swelteringly hot Seychelles four years ago, where revelers left the dinner tables under a marquee, and then flocked outside when rain started falling. “I try to look back to those two moments and recall how dancing in the rain makes you feel really happy,” he said.
“Singin’ in the Rain” is presented in Manila by David Atkins Enterprises, Michael Cassel Group, Concertus Manila, Dainty Group and Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, and is produced by Stage Entertainment and Chichester Festival Theatre. For tickets, call TicketWorld at 8919999.(apolicarpio@inquirer.com.ph)