[rating=4] There is nothing like a holiday classic, and what production could be more “holiday” than “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas”. Based on the Paramount movie, with a revised book by David Ives & Paul Blake and music & lyrics by Irving Berlin, the stage version allows us to use our imagination to see people as they are. Back in the day, Hollywood’s musicals were amazing and spectacles. The stage version is never the same. Tonight, at the opening night performance of the production by Music Theater Works, I was asked how many times I had seen this show. My answer is “a heck of a lot”, but every director’s interpretation, every performer’s character development, the set, the choreography and a myriad of other things allows us to see what appears to be a different and unique production, which is why I love “live theater”!Music Theater Works’ production is directed by Sasha Gerritson and choreographed by Clayton Cross (who brings us some great numbers). The set (Shane Cinal) is unique in that it goes from an army camp in 1944, to a New York theater
for The Ed Sullivan Show ( 10 years later) and a nightclub as well as a train station and a Vermont resort- each change is smooth and allows the story to continue moving on.
The basic story is simple. Two song and dance men, meet two sisters who are performers. This is the main love story. The men had been soldiers together in World War II and their commanding officer now owns a ski resort where the women and supposed to work their act. The guys go up as well only to find out that due to a heat wave, the resort is in big trouble and their ex-CO is in deep trouble. They can help! They plan to put on a show there and invite all their old army buddies to come and bring in enough revenue to bail out their old CO.
What happens is a series of errors that cause the young lovers to fall out of love, then back in love and a truly “happy ever after” ending! I think that the cast was powerful, and that Gerritson was able to fill the stage at the North Shore Center For Performing Arts with great ease. The ensemble was terrific and had the energy that far exceeded what one might anticipate. They are on and off, changing costumes and characters in a split second. They also help with the set changes as well. Most audience members do not realize the importance of the ensemble- without them, there is no production!
The main characters in this production: Bob Wallace (Tommy Thurston has a great voice and a wonderful smile), Phil Davis (Jimmy Hogan is quite the dancer and I loved him in the “I Love a Piano” number), Judy Haynes ( played to perfection by Anna Marie Abbate, who also is a part of the “I Love A Piano” number) and Kelly Britt rounds out the main characters with her marvelous portrayal of Betty Haynes. These are the main characters and the basic love stories that are presented in this story.
The other cast members of note are: Brian Rooney (General Waverly), his granddaughter Susan (a rock solid performance by Lea Biwer), Martha Watson (deftly handled by Alicia Berneche, who will remind you of Ethel Merman) the love interest for the General, and J. Christian Hill as Ralph Sheldrake (and others) the guys buddy who is a producer for the Ed Sullivan and helps get the troops back together for the show.
The ensemble players are: Jazmine Tamayo, Rachel Livingston, Nick Schrier, Phil Platakis, Andrew J. Baker, Jordan Beyeler, Nicholas D. Brubaker, Araina Cappuccitti, Quin Corrigan, Chad Gearing-Howe, David Geinosky, Delaney Good, Alex Iacobucci, Kelly Lohrenz, Emma Jean Lupp, Tuesdai B. Perry, Isa Ramirez, Adam Raso, Sofia Ruffner, Tal Shatsky and Tyler Sonkin- these hard working performers are the key to the solid production that Music Theater Works has placed on the stage. Elizabeth Monti’s costumes are high in quantity and quality and the wardrobe assistants who help make the quick-changes ( Kristin Brinati & Alexis Lotspeich) are amazing! Hats off to the wig people guided by Alice Salazar. Although there were a few that were not as real looking as one might expect, we sat fairly close, so unfair!
Andrew Meyers lighting was right on as was the sound (Eric Backus). It was great to have Roger Bingaman back in the pit conducting the orchestra (reminding us old-timers of the days of “Light Opera Works”).
The musical is an old one filled with some music that young people will not know: “Sisters”, “Count Your Blessings”, “I Love A Piano” ( this is a tap number with a stage filled with tappers! WOW) , “How Deep Is The Ocean”, “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” and of Course, “Happy Holiday” and “White Christmas”- who can ask for anything more?
“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” will continue at Music Theatre Works thru New Year’s Day with performances as follows:
Sat, Dec 17:2:00pm & 8:00pmSun, Dec 18:2:00pm
Wed, Dec 21:7:30pm
Thu, Dec 22:7:30pm
Fri, Dec 23:8:00pm
Wed, Dec 28:1:00pm
Fri, Dec 30:8:00pm
Sat, Dec 31:2:00pm & 8:00pm
Sun, Jan 1:2:00pm
Performances are at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, located at 9501 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie.
Show Type: Musical
Box Office: 847-673-6300
Plenty of free parking
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas”.
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