Mainstage Review 1: Irving Berlin's White Christmas
Irving Berlin's White Christmas is a 2004 musical adaptation of the 1954 movie of the same title. It s scored and lyricized by Irving Berlin, accompanied by a book written by David Ives and Paul Blake. *** The show opens on the 151st division of the US Army on Christmas Eve, 1944. Captain Bob Wallace and his song and dance partner, Private Phil Davis, put on a show for the boys. When they return from the war, they continue their famed career as performers. They are about to leave for Florida when they are called to see a sister act, Betty and Judy Haynes, at a club. They are very impressed by the sisters and Phil, completely smitten with Judy, agrees to sabotage his train ride with Bob who is NOT getting along with Betty, to spend Christmas with her in Vermont. When they all arrive at the Columbia Inn, they discover it is owned by the 151st's old, retired general, Henry Waverly. They are also introduced to Waverly's granddaughter, Susan, and the concierge, Martha. Martha constantly badgers someone she knows with a lot of talent. It is finally revealed that it is she, and she is incorporated into the show. Bob stumbles upon Susan, and reminds her that if she counts her blessings instead of sheep, you'll fall asleep counting your blessings. He and Betty converse about the things he talked about with Susan, and share their first kiss. The next day, Martha receives a confusing phone call from Sheldrake, a friend of Bob and Phil's, who works for the Ed Sullivan Show. He asks her to deliver a message to Bob about their secret plan being a success. Martha tells Betty, putting a rift in her relationship with Bob. Everyone is under the impression that he is trying to buy out the inn. As the main rag prepares to fall, the general discovers all the bills Martha has been hiding.
At the start of act two, Betty receives a job offer from the Regency Room in New York City. She is hesitant to accept, but takes the offer when Bob doesn't "own up" to buying the inn. Bob chases Betty to New York after her departure from the inn, and tries to convince her to return to no avail. Sheldrake explains the reality of the situation, and Betty returns to the inn. The show ends with Bob and Betty, Phil and Judy, and Martha and Henry in predictable romantic relationships. ***
White Christmas was very well cast. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of triple threat male performers on the stage (you will all come to learn that male dancers are my weakness). Sam Mitchell, portraying Bob Wallace, did his part more than justice, earning swoons from almost every girl in the audience. His chemistry with partner in crime, Matthew Hakel (Phil Davis) was incredibly believable. Olivia Reid and Aubrey Jensyn (Betty and Judy Haynes respectively) were spectacular as well. The dance corps was impressively in sync with one another: not single tap out of place.
Although the performers were out of this world, the technical aspect was far less than stellar. The sound was poor. The mics were decently mixed, but certain mics (and the same ones every time) popped and crackled as if two mics were synced on the same channel. The spot ops were unbelievable. There was no fade in or out and the lighting was harsh and aesthetically disappointing. The scene changes were sloppy and slow in left the audience in a stupor black out after black out for over thirty seconds. The costumes were beautiful and the hair and makeup were period appropriate. The direction was awfully simple. The acting was flat, but was easily concealed with spectacular musical numbers. The choreography was beginner's level, slightly intermediate at best. What made the choreography thrilling was the cast of over forty dancing perfectly in sync every time. I commend the choreographer for their work on those numbers.
White Christmas presented at the International Thespian Society National Festival by Lincoln Southwest High School was a myriad of things. I was floored by the triple threat talent of the two leading men, but disappointed in the lack of technical prowess. White Christmas has earned a rock solid 8 out of 10.
Photo source: journalstar.com
