Dance, Rain Man.

Think back to the three decades in which movies were silent. In the late 20s, when the prospect of “talkies” arose, the transition was anything but easy. Studio bigwigs scoffed, and one famously even needed to be tricked to catch a test screening of one. Gene Kelly’s musical Singin’ in the Rain, to be performed by the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre March 3-6, portrays this scenario perfectly. Silent film star Don Lockwood (Adam Krajnikconde) and his vapid leading lady Lina Lamont (Kari Chermack) are right in the middle of this transition. Lockwood, with a history in singing and dancing, has no trouble, but Lamont is discovered to have a voice that is less than desirable. A surprising new talent is found in chorus girl Kathy Selden (Jessica Breed), causing controversy for Lina and Don. Director Wayne Marek and a large cast and crew present romance, music, dancing, comedy, and, of course, rain in their performance of the iconic musical at the State Theatre at 7:30pm except the sixth (1:30pm). $18 adults, $12 students/seniors, $8 youth.