**** Highly Recommended I know it’s early but get yourself in the holiday mood with Marriott Theatre’s classy production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. I guarantee you’ll be humming along with Irving Berlin’s wonderful melodies. You might even shed a nostalgic tear or two when the entire cast sings the title song. What can I say – I love Irving Berlin’s White Christmas! 4 BIG Spotlights
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas is based on the 1954 film, White Christmas, starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Miles. It was written by David Ives and Paul Blake, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. It premiered in St. Louis in 2000, followed by a San Francisco run in 2004. It had a limited Broadway run in 2008.
Don’t expect a clone of the movie, however. Director-choreographer Linda Fortunato pays homage to the spirit of the film but puts her own spin on the fabulous dance numbers. By the way, kudos to Costume Designer Sally Dolembo who designed the gorgeous costumes.
Irving Berlin’s glorious music makes this a special show, with songs like Happy Holiday, Sisters, What Can You Do With a General, Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep, Snow and You Didn’t Do Right By Me/How Deep Is the Ocean. Then there are the fabulous dance numbers, The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing, Blue Skies, and one of my absolute favorite tap numbers, I Love a Piano, with the dancers all wearing black and white.
It's December, 1944, somewhere in Europe. Bob Wallace (Ben Mayne), Phil Davis (Tyler Johnson-Campion) and Ralph Sheldrake (Alex Goodrich) entertained the troops commanded by General Henry Waverly (Rom Barkholder).
Jump into the future ten years; Wallace and Davis are Broadway stars, while Sheldrake is a producer on the Ed Sullivan Show. After an appearance on the show, the guys visit a club to check out the Haynes Sisters – whose brother, Freckle-Face Haynes, the dog-faced boy, was in their unit – as a possible act for their new revue. Impressed by the act, the guys invite Betty (Jacquelyne Jones) and Judy (Kelly Felthous) to join them for a drink.
Phil and Judy hit it off, so instead of leaving for Florida, Phil tricks Bob into following the sisters to the Pine Tree Inn in Vermont. When the guys find out that the owner is General Waverly, who’s going broke because there’s no snow, they come up with a scheme to save the inn. They’ll open their new revue in the barn and fill the audience with their old army buddies.
When their troop arrives in Vermont, Stage Manager Mike Nulty (David Rossetti) bewails the fact that he has just five days to put a show together – and he has to deal with Ezekiel Foster (Michael Kingston), who apparently came with the barn. Hinting to get a part in the show, the General’s housekeeper/factotum Martha Watson (Robin R McGee) belts out Let Me Sing and I’m Happy. The General’s granddaughter, Susan (Meena Sood), even tries to get in the show.
The Ensemble includes: Rita (Kayla Kennedy); Rhoda (Teah Kiang Mirabelli); Tessie (Cynthia F. Carter); Jimmy (Time Brickey); with Christopher Kelley, Jonathan Kwock, Maya McQueen, Joshua Messmore and Nataki Rennie.
The Marriott Orchestra includes Cameron Tragesser (Conductor/Keyboard); Rick Bertone (Associate Conductor/Keyboard;); Emily Beisel (Flute/Clarinet/Alto Sax/Tenor Sax); Hardin Butcher (Lead Trumpet); Edgar Campos (Trumpet); Steve Duncan (Trombone); Trevor Jones (Bass/Orchestra Contractor) and Tom Hipskind (Drums).
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas runs through December 29th at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriot Drive, Lincolnshire. Parking is free; valet parking is also available. Running time is approximately two hours, 30 minutes with an intermission.
Performances are Wednesdays at 1:00 & 7:30 pm; Thursdays at 7:30 pm; Fridays at 8:00 pm; Saturdays at 4:00 and 8:00 pm; Sundays at 1:00 and 5:00 pm with select Thursday 1:00 pm matinees. Restaurant reservations are strongly recommended, call (847) 634-0100. Tickets start at $63 (excluding tax & handling fees). FYI (847) 634-0200 or www.marriotttheatre.com