Talented performers shine in
“Singin’ in the Rain”

Submitted

“Well, we may have been “Singing in the Rain,” but the storm is over,” said Krista Perryman, Trenton Drama Club Director.
With a cast and crew of 40, the Trenton Drama Club (TDC) presented “Singing in the Rain,” a play based on the MGM film starring Gene Kelly (Don Lockwood) and Donald O’Connor (Cosmo Brown) and Debbie Reynolds (Kathy Seldon).
The play, set in the Roaring 20s, combined lively songs and energetic dance numbers, including jazz and tap. With seven seasons behind her, Perryman decided it was time to step it up a notch and bring back Bryan “BeeJ” Boytek to choreograph the dances and to teach tap and lifts.

Kaitlin Martin of Bell High School played Lena Lemont and
Trenton High School’s Ben Jones portrayed Don Lockwood.

During the three nights of performances, several students gave outstanding performances.
Making his debut in a lead role, junior Ben Jones lit up the stage with his charismatic portrayal of Don Lockwood, a silent movie star turned talkie. Jones has been interested in drama since his first kindergarten performance in “The Nutcracker.” Since that time, he has performed in seven other shows under Perryman’s direction. In the fall he delighted the audience with his rendition of the sheriff in “The Ransom of Red Chief.”
Junior Alyssa McElroy gave an outstanding performance in the lead role of Kathy Seldon, the girl next door with the beautiful voice who becomes the love interest of Don Lockwood (Jones). McElroy has been performing since kindergarten when she kept the audience entertained by singing between set changes of “The Nutcracker.” Last year McElroy had the lead role of Maria in “The Sound of Music.” Bell High School senior Kaitlin Martin gave a sensational performance as Lena Lemont, the gorgeous blonde with an annoying voice. Martin’s interpretation of Lamont brought laughter and admiration from the audience. Martin’s credits include three other shows. Last year she played Liesl (age 14) in “The Sound of Music.”
Through his singing, dancing, and outlandish antics, Malte Smoor, a foreign exchange student from Germany, added wit to his performance of Cosmo Brown, Lockwood’s friend since boyhood. Smoor proved the adage “the show must go on” as he performed with an injury sustained just before opening night. Smoor, who has numerous performances under his belt in Germany, played the father in “The Ransom of Red Chief,” Trenton’s fall show. In July, Smoor will return home to Germany.
Rebekah Manbeck wowed the audience with her featured dance number, a jazz routine originally performed by Mitzi Gaynor in the movie version of “Singing in the Rain.” Manbeck, who played the lead roles in “Annie” and “The Ransom of Red Chief,” has been performing since she was a toddler.
Making his stage debut, Will Williams played the part of a gangster and danced opposite Rebekah Manbeck. Williams plans to study music production.
A surprise came in Act II when director Perryman and choreographer Boytek performed a dance number showing Lockwood and Seldon in the future.
Supporting cast member, thirteen-year-old Emmily Goettsche (R. F. Simpson), showed maturity and talent in a role played by a male in the movie version. Goettsche has been involved in theatre since kindergarten. Last year she played Louisa (age 13) in “The Sound of Music.”
Another supporting cast member, sophomore Levi Sprague, was highly entertaining as Roscoe Dexter, the Awesome Director. Sprague, who has been in every show directed by Perryman, loves to dance and create music.
Sophomore Jennifer DeLong added her talent to several dance numbers including “Moses Supposes,” where she taught Lockwood how to speak properly for his upcoming movie debut in a speaking role.
Several middle school students delivered noteworthy performances. Adrianna Molnar’s role as Dora Bailey got the show off on a high note. Brandon Porter’s solo ”Beautiful Girl,” performed in the company of nineteen beautiful girls, was a hit.
Drew Dees (Sid Phillips), Noah Frazier (Policeman), Rachel Perryman (Young Cosmo, 1st asst, director), and Mikeah Rutter (Young Don) also performed well.
Other students involved in the show included Amanda Williams, Kylie Johnson, Hannah Haidari, Abby Bailey, Amber Bowland, Kara Foster, Abijah Herrin, Spencer Hewitt, Belle Holcombe, Wesley Mansfield, Skyler Oswalt, Emily Padot, Samantha Pipes, Rebecca Prather, and Emma Skawienski.
‘We would like to thank all of the patrons and sponsors who have donated their time and money to make ‘Singing in the Rain’ successful,” co-director John Yencho said.