Theatre Palisades Youth’s ‘Singin’ in the Rain Jr.’ Opens at Pierson Playhouse

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

Described as an “enchanting production,” Theatre Palisades Youth presents “Singin’ in the Rain, Jr.” live and in-person, with a show that kicked off on Friday, February 25.

Program director Lara Ganz revealed to the Palisadian-Post that the show marks Theatre Palisades Youth’s first musical production at Pierson Playhouse since wrapping Disney’s “Frozen Jr.” in March 2020.

“A week after closing, we were forced into stay-at-home mandates due to COVID,” Ganz said in a statement. “Since then, these past two years have been incredibly challenging and, dare I say, have been like navigating through a two​-year rainstorm.”
Ganz said preparation—unknowingly—began with the help of dance teacher Rebecca Barragan, who helped teach students how to tap dance on Zoom.

“Knowing that we had developed a community of young actors who had been learning to tap dance, and with the backdrop of our two-year rainstorm, we thought it was the perfect time to perform ‘Singin’ in the Rain Jr.,’” Ganz said.

She also said the response to the play from the community was better than she anticipated.

“When we announced the show, we thought that the response would be fair … We were (happily) surprised to see 50 young actors show up excited to audition,” Ganz said. “For those actors familiar with the show, including my own, they loved the story and comedy of the show.”
As the group began rehearsals, Ganz said the Omicron variant struck and forced the group to host outdoor rehearsals—which were wet and cold.

“Our cast, motivated by the sheer joy of being together again, literally sang and danced in the rain,” Ganz said. “Being reunited with each other, in passion and purpose, inspired the same glorious feeling—we realized that we were ‘happy again.’

“For our cast, their singing and dancing represents their emerging optimism and resilience, carrying them through difficult situations. We hope that our radiant cast with their beaming, joyous spirits lifts you up as they share their voices and light.”

The show opened on Friday, February 25, and runs until March 6.

To purchase tickets or view a complete list of showtimes, visit theatrepalisades.org.