Singin' in the Rain at Zilker Hillside Theater

Austin's summer tradition is winding down, and the Zilker Summer Musical is one of the easiest ways to spend an evening before it goes. Zilker Theatre Productions is in the middle of its 67th annual production, Singin' in the Rain, staged at the Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater at 2206 William Barton Drive, right across from Barton Springs Pool. The show runs through Saturday, August 15, with performances on Thursdays through Sundays at 8:15 PM, and admission is completely free, though donations are encouraged.

The musical is a timeless comedy set in Hollywood's transition from silent films to "talkies," following actor Don Lockwood. It's adapted from the award-winning screenplay by Broadway legends Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and the score includes the obvious hits: "Singin' in the Rain," "Good Morning," "Make 'Em Laugh," and "Moses Supposes." The whole thing runs about two hours and 45 minutes, intermission included, and it's rated G by Music Theatre International, so it's safe for all ages.

On stage, Ryan Rhue plays Don Lockwood, with Alicia Frias Escobar as Kathy Selden, Noah Cantrell as Cosmo Brown, and Sarah Reynolds as Lina Lamont. The creative team is led by director Damon Brown, with Ellie Shattles on music and Richard Cerato on choreography. It's a full production for a free show, which is part of what has kept people coming back to this hillside since 1959. Zilker Theatre Productions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that started as a project of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department, and it now draws more than 45,000 people a year.

A few things are worth knowing before you head over. Seating is first-come, first-served, so the smart move is to bring blankets and claim a spot on the hillside between 6:00 and 8:00 PM. Ground chairs are fine on the lawn, but high-back chairs are reserved for ADA seating and the top of the hill. Picnics, snacks, and drinks are welcome, but glass containers and alcohol aren't allowed. If you'd rather buy, there are concessions, HEB Hillside Market charcuterie boards, and official merchandise on site. Parking in Zilker Park is $20 for general admission and $40 for VIP.

Accessibility is well covered. ADA seating is available every night, and tonight, Friday, August 14, there's an ASL interpreter scheduled. Audio-described performances fall on July 18 and August 8, and sensory support, resources, and a cooling space have been available every Sunday since July 19, put together with ACES. The production also builds in family-friendly nights, like "Be a Star Saturday" at 7:00 PM, "Meet the Cast," and an "Opening Act" celebration with Austin nonprofits including Austin Water, the Brad and Ashley Stuver Foundation, A3, and ARC of Central Texas, plus an Alumni & Industry Night and a Pride Night.

If you're planning to make a night of it, Barton Springs Pool is right next door. The three-acre pool is fed by underground springs that average 68 to 70 degrees, with depths ranging from zero to 18 feet. It's open every day except Thursday from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with guarded swim hours from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM on regular days. Admission is charged from Spring Break through October 31, so a dip before the show is an easy addition to the evening. The theater itself is managed by the Dougherty Arts Center as part of the city's Department of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment, and it's been a fixture of Austin summers for more than 50 years.