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I AM A JUKEBOX AND A DIRECTOR!
By James A. Rocco
Bringing "Singin' in the Rain" to Life on Stage
One of the most cherished projects I've had the pleasure of directing and choreographing was the stage adaptation of Singin' in the Rain. Considered by many to be the greatest movie musical of all time, Singin' in the Rain is a masterpiece that explodes with joy and the exuberant essence of musical theatre. When I first experienced the movie, I immediately saw it as a stage musical and hoped that someday someone would allow me to realize that dream.
In 1992, that astonishing opportunity came about thanks to Wayne Bryan of Music Theatre of Wichita. Alongside Wayne, Craig Barna, and Linda Goodrich, we created a production that honored the original while adding our unique touch. The result was a resounding success that audiences adored, and one critic called "a pot of gold."
The Magic of “Singin' in the Rain"
Singin' in the Rain began its life in 1952 with the idea of reusing the catalog of popular songs written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown for earlier MGM movies.
Freed began his career at MGM as a songwriter who always wanted to be a producer. After much cajoling, he got his chance as an uncredited Associate Producer on the equally mesmerizing MGM movie musical The Wizard of Oz. His talent was evident, and soon he had his own unit on the MGM lot (called The Freed Unit), where he produced Babes in Arms, Cabin in the Sky, Girl Crazy, On The Town, An American in Paris, The Band Wagon (another one I'd like to get my hands on) and Singin' in the Rain.
Betty Comden and Adolph Green came on board as scriptwriters. Eventually, they threw in a few new numbers of their own to round out the story, but the movie is primarily crafted as a "jukebox musical" built around the catalog of songs written by Freed and Brown.
Comden and Green set the story against the backdrop of Hollywood land when the movie industry transitioned from silent films to talkies. Their script, combined with Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen's direction and choreography, presented a perfect blend of humor, romance, and show-stopping numbers.
As I studied their work, I realized they had created a story that celebrated the sheer joy of communication through performance as a spiritual release of deep human emotion. And within that was the basis of American Musical Theatre at its best.
In other words, when spoken words cannot express the moment's urgency, the character must sing and dance. Don finds in Kathy, a soul mate who understands him as a human being. This is a universal dream: finding a partner who understands what makes you sing.
Reimagining a Classic
It was clear that for the production to work, we had to acknowledge the audience's shared love for the film while emphasizing the original creators' commitment to illuminating human experiences through song and dance, which ultimately reflected their love of the art form of musical theatre. This connection became the core of our adaptation, allowing us to craft a stage production that felt both familiar, communal, and fresh.
I came to the conclusion that transforming a show from screen to stage is a journey of creativity, partnership, and a deep respect for the original work.
Three Key Elements of a Successful Adaptation
- Respect the Original: First and foremost, recognize and honor the emotional triggers and iconic moments that made the original piece a treasure.
For instance, In the case of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, Gene Kelly's character of Don Lockwood, having just found the solution to his career and personal troubles, begins to sing and dance his joy while being drenched with Rain. He jumps onto a lamppost, stretches out his arms, and invites the Rain to wash him clean of the past. That visual moment expresses the pure joy of his character's rebirth. There is so much subliminal symbolism in that moment, and in adapting the work for the stage it is impossible to ignore it. The moment must happen.
- Collaborative Spirit: Surround yourself with a team of passionate and talented individuals who share your admiration for the material. Our collective respect for Singin' in the Rain allowed us to create a production that was true to the original's intent and spirit.
- Audience Connection: Understand that audiences come with expectations and a profound emotional connection to the original work. By acknowledging this communal love, we set them free to enjoy the adaptation and relax into the journey.
“Singin' in the Rain and, later, The Wizard of Oz taught me invaluable lessons about adaptation and direction. These experiences reinforced the importance of understanding human nature and capturing the emotional core of the original piece.”
– James A. Rocco
Behind the Scenes: Memorable Moments
In 1994, the Paper Mill Playhouse gave us another chance to showcase our work. This time, Comden and Green themselves saw our version and gave it their blessing. The New York Times lauded it, which solidified its position as a standout adaptation.
All along the way, we had remarkable casts that were muse-like inspirations, Michael Gruber as Don, Randy Rogel as Cosmo, Christina Saffran and Karyn Quackenbush as Kathy, Heidi Karol Johnson, Lisa Estridge and Nancy Ringham as Lena, and so many others like Steve Tyler, Seth Hoff, Patti Wyss, Kim Huber, Kevin McMahon, Stewart Gregory, Ed Staudenmayer, Tim Robu, and Josh Rhodes who shared their gifts and brought joy to audiences.
Taking Singin' in the Rain International
The journey didn't stop there. The legendary Japanese company, Shochiku, asked me to bring a Japanese-language version of the show to Tokyo with the delightful stars Hiroko Yakushimaru, Noriyuki Higashiyama, and Jai Kabira. Once again, audiences went wild, proving that the magic of Singin' in the Rain transcends cultural boundaries.
Lessons Learned
Working on Singin' in the Rain and, later, The Wizard of Oz taught me invaluable lessons about adaptation and direction. These experiences reinforced the importance of understanding human nature and capturing the emotional core of the original piece. By doing so, we create new works that connect our past to our present, offering audiences fresh perspectives while honoring what came before.
A Universal Truth in Adaptation
Whether sincere or humorous, acknowledging the original work's significance is crucial in any adaptation. This allows us the freedom to create something new while respecting what made the original special. When audiences recognize these moments of homage, they can relax and fully immerse themselves in the new experience.
I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the world of musical theatre direction and adaptation. Stay tuned for more insights and stories from behind the scenes.
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Thank you for being a part of our artistic community. Your passion for musical theatre inspires us every day!
Until next time, see you at the theatre.
James Rocco
Director & Producer, Musical Theatre
CEO, Thirty Saints Productions
