By S. Wade Hansen
Opening an umbrella is usually bad luck when standing indoors - unless rain is falling from the ceiling.
Nightly ceiling showers are exactly what audience members can expect from the latest production of 'Singin'' in the Rain' at the SCERA Showhouse II in Orem.
Leading man Don Lockwood, played by Danny Aldous, will dawn his rain slicker and tap his way across the puddle-splattered stage.
'We''re going to use real rain for the ''Singin'' in the Rain'' song,' said cast member Afton Ferguson, who plays diva Lina Lamont.
'It''s right before intermission so we''ll have time to wash the stage.'
The concept for the set is a challenging one, but it works well.
'We are using Brad Montgomery as our set designer,' director Jerry Elison said. 'He is a fine artist and does a lot of film work.'
The rain is not the only prop that requires the stage be mopped after its use.
Ferguson endures a pie - filled with shaving cream - in the face part way through the show that tends to leave a mess.
Ferguson, 20, from Saint Simons Island, Ga., is a BYU student majoring in music dance theater.
She decided to come to BYU after meeting a member to the MDT faculty, Gayle Lockwood, at a workshop in New York.
Lockwood was teaching a vocal belt technique that Ferguson could not grasp.
'I just wanted to throw things at her the whole time,' Ferguson said.
But after some work and patience, she got excited about what BYU has to offer and decided to enroll.
'This is my first show at the SCERA,' Ferguson said. 'It''s been pretty good so far.'
Most appreciated by Ferguson has been the support given her by the cast and crew - especially director Jerry Elison.
'He is just the kindest man,' Ferguson said. 'He genuinely cares about all of his cast members.'
Putting the show together has been a real team effort. Elison has received a lot of support from his cast and crew.
David Whitlock, who plays Cosmo Brown, also choreographs and is producing the show.
After a lot of work, all the aspects of the show are coming together, and it promises to be a great, toe-tapping production.
'Singin'' in the Rain' is an adaptation of the 1951 MGM film classic.
The show is set in 1927 and spoofs the panic that occurred during the transition between silent films and audio films.
Actress diva Lina Lamont looks great on film, but her voice could break glass, and dashing lead Don Lockwood must find someway to get her out of the picture.
The show opens Friday and runs through March 5. Performances will run every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the SCERA Showhouse II, 745 S. State Street, Orem.
Tickets range from $4 to $12. Call 255-2569 for information and reservations.