It’s a Christmas staple: “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…” Written by legendary prolific composer Irving Berlin for the Fred Astaire/Bing Crosby movie “Holiday Inn,” the song “White Christmas” went on to win the Academy Award for Best Song. Ten years later, Bing Crosby would croon the tune again alongside Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney in the Christmas classic named for the song.
In this age of the Broadway musical, where now the stage gets its inspiration from the silver screen rather than the other way around, it is no wonder that “White Christmas” was adapted for the stage. It debuted last Christmas on Broadway, playing a limited engagement. This year, it is back for another limited engagement over the holiday season.
The musical opens in 1944 where we meet Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, two army buddies who are entertaining their troop on Christmas Eve. Their general, Henry Waverly, is being sent state-side due to an injury. He hopes that on Christmas Eve, 1954, the men will all be at home and in a better world. Fast forward ten years and Wallace and Davis are Broadway stars and regulars on the Ed Sullivan Show. Phil convinces Bob to come see a sister act to add to their show—Betty and Judy Haynes. Judy and Phil hit it off immediately while Betty and Bob have a very uncomfortable meeting. Judy and Phil plan to match the two. Thinking he is on his way to Miama, Bob is surprised to run into the Haynes sister and find himself in Vermont.
Instead of a white Christmas, Vermont is experiencing a heat wave. This is making business bad for the inn the girls are booked at and the concierge, Martha, tries to hid the situation from the owner—Gen. Henry Waverly. Bob and Phil decide to bring their show to the inn, get all the guys from their division up to the inn on Christmas Eve and surprise the general. Everyone—including the general’s visiting granddaughter Susan—gets excited. Betty and Bob fall in love as rehearsals begin. But after a miscommunication, Betty flees to New York. Bob chases her but are they meant to be?
The music is classic, all from Berlin’s catalogue. A few numbers, while well-staged and big productions, do not serve to push the story forward. These are the ones used for “rehearsals” of the Wallace and Davis show, but don’t really have any parallels with the show. Berlin did start writing for the stage in the age before book musicals, what most theater audiences are used to, became popular with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma.” The songs are hummable and toe-tapping. The current cast is wonderful, particularly Melissa Errico and Mara Davi as the Haynes sisters. Tony Yasbeck steals the show as Phil. It is also a treat to see David Ogden Stiers (“MASH”) on stage as well, even if they don’t utilize his singing capabilities in the show.
If you’re down in the city around Christmastime, I recommend seeing this show. It’s great for children…and for anyone who loves Christmas.
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