Old-fashioned holiday musicals don’t get more old-fashioned than Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. The David Ives and Paul Blake adaptation of the 1954 film that starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen runs at Santa Rosa’s 6th Street Playhouse through Dec. 22.
Fans of the film won’t be disappointed as it’s a faithful rendition of the screenplay with a few cuts and some additional songs.
GIs Bob Wallace (Trevor Hoffman) and Phil Davis (David Bradbury) go from entertaining the troops of the 151st division at the close of WWII to Broadway superstardom 10 years later. Headed to Florida to work out their next musical extravaganza, they’re side-tracked by the sister act of Betty and Judy Haynes (Ella Park, Caroline Flett). They end up at a snowless ski resort in Vermont owned by their former commander, General Waverly (Dwayne Stincelli). There’s nothing but room at the inn, so Bob and Phil decide to help their old leader out by mounting a show there.
Romantic complications ensue between playboy Phil and firecracker Judy and the less-than-romantically-inclined Bob and Betty. Fear not; all complications will be resolved in time for the big finale.
The show is, in essence, a jukebox musical. The show-within-a-show premise allows for a lot of great non-holiday tunes to make it into a “holiday” musical. “Blue Skies,” “Love, You Didn’t Do Right by Me” and “How Deep is the Ocean” are all here, along with “Happy Holiday” and the title tune.
Co-directors Megan Bartlett and Joseph Favalora have an obvious affection for the material, as does their cast. Hoffman and Bradbury are solid if a bit bland as the male leads. Park and Flett give the more dynamic performances, particularly with their rendition of “Sisters.” Ginger Beavers steals every scene she’s in as the cantankerous inn manager, and Sylvia Whitbrook (alternating with Elliot Harrison) gives the kids in the audience someone to relate to.
There are a couple of terrific tap dance numbers courtesy of choreographer Favalora, and the talented ensemble executes them well.
Costumes by Pamela Johnson honor the film’s original look, and music director Janis Dunson Wilson’s seven-piece orchestra delivers the Berlin goods.
Despite the show’s title, there isn’t a whole lot of Christmas in White Christmas. Affection for the film may be traced more to the memories of family gathered around the TV watching it than anything about the film itself.
I mean, it’s no Die Hard…
‘Irving Berlin’s White Christmas’ runs through Dec. 22 in the GK Hardt Theatre at 6th Street Playhouse, 52 W. 6th Street, Santa Rosa. Thur.-Sat., 7:30pm; Sat & Sun, 2pm. $29–$56. 707.523.4185. 6thstreetplayhouse.com.
