**** Recommended The Towle Theater’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas is charming. Despite their space limitations, they managed to put together a complete show, tap dancing and all! I was humming along with Irving Berlin’s wonderful melodies. What can I say – I love Irving Berlin’s White Christmas! 4 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.
Beck Hokanson and Sal Rocha
Don’t expect a clone of the movie. Director TJ Bird pays homage to the spirit of the film while Choreographer Katie Kotila puts her own spin on the dance numbers. I’m not a fan of projections but in this show the backgrounds add depth and ambiance. Kudos to Dion Stover for the set and the beautiful costumes.
Irving Berlin’s glorious music makes this a special show, with songs like Happy Holiday, Sisters, Snow, 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.
The Cast of White Christmas
In December, 1944, somewhere in Europe, Bob Wallace (Sal Rocha), Phil Davis (Beck Hokanson) and Ralph Sheldrake (Matthew Williams) entertained the troops commanded by General Henry Waverly (Gary Murphy).
Jump ten years into the future and Wallace and Davis are Broadway stars, while Sheldrake is a producer on the Ed Sullivan Show. After an appearance on Ed Sullivan, 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 (Katherine Carl) and Judy (Julia Hope Budd) to join them for a drink.
Julia Hope Budd & Katherine Carl
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, but there’s no snow, so guests are leaving in droves. Then General Waverly walks in demanding to know what’s going on. The guys decide to stay and bring the cast of their new show to Vermont.
When their troop arrives in Vermont, Stage Manager Mike Nulty (Darrow Richmond) bewails the fact that he has just five days to put a show together – and he has to deal with Ezekiel (TJ Bird), who apparently came with the barn. Hinting to get a part in the show, the General’s housekeeper/factotum Martha Watson (Ellen Spann) belts out Let Me Sing and I’m Happy. The General’s granddaughter, Susan (Nora Wragg), even tries to get in the show.
Sal Rocha & Beck Hokanson
The guys decide to invite the 51st, their old unit to Vermont for the Christmas Eve opening of their review. They enlist Sheldrake’s help in contacting everyone but when he calls the inn to say it’s a go, Martha (Ellen Spann) misinterprets the message and passes her suspicions on to Betty.
The Cast: Rhoda/Ensemble (Mackenzie Block), Tessie/Seamstress/Gloria/Ensemble (Amanda Donohoe), Conductor/Jimmy/Jim/GI Ensemble (Peter Kattner), Rita/Mrs. Snoring Man/Ensemble (Rebecca Mactaggart), Mike Nulty/Announcer/GI Ensemble (Darrow Richmond), Sheldrake/Scooter/Ensemble (Matthew Williams) and Susan/Cigarette Girl/Ensemble (Nora Wragg).
(l to r) Julia Hope Budd, Beck Hokanson, Sal Rocha, Katherine Carl
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas runs through December 21st at the Towle Theater, 5205 Hohman Avenue, Hammond. Street parking is available on both Hohman Avenue and State Street. Free parking is available in the State Street lot directly north of the theater.
Running time is approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes, with an intermission. Performances: Friday & Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $24. FYI (219) 937-8780 or www.towletheater.org.