A Wintry Wonderland of Delight

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

Music Theater Works’ newest production is a holiday offering. The 2004 stage adaptation of the 1954 film classic, written by David Ives and Paul Blake, brings this season to a close. But, I’m thrilled to report that the noteworthy company is back again, in full force, with this beautiful, sparkling Christmas confection. MTW’s gorgeous production features a genuinely gifted cast of singer/dancers, plus the return of much-missed musical director and conductor, Roger Bingaman. His talented 18-member pit orchestra is gorgeous and richly full-sounding. Clayton Cross also returns once again to ply his creative talent, choreographing this old-fashioned musical with 1950’s flair and savoir-faire. This Christmas production is a warm, wonderful, old-fashioned family show that brims with both favorite performers and fresh, new faces, and dazzles the audience with colorful spectacle and heart.

 The score offers a stocking stuffed with musical treats from the Irving Berlin songbook. The story is adapted from the film, but provides many more musical numbers. It tells the story of two showbiz couples who fall in love while trying to save a struggling Vermont ski lodge. The film’s blend of sophistication and folksiness, humor and heartfelt moments, as well as all of its favorite characters, nicely drive the plot from tender ballads to big production numbers. The result is like a trip back home for the holidays.   

Director Sasha Gerritson makes her MTW directorial debut by bringing this sentimental musical to life. The production features an astounding 30-member cast, including all the requisite, talented, hard-working and versatile understudies and swing performers.  Ms Gerritson’s entire brilliant cast are definitely triple threats, meaning they excel as trained actors, singers and dancers. She has skillfully and lovingly staged her production to highlight each character, while still showcasing the hardworking ensemble. Truly talented dancer and nationally-renowned choreographer, Clayton Cross, choreographs the heck out of every musical number. Mr. Cross’ creativity is always on display, but of particular note, his full-company tap number to “I Love a Piano,” brings down the house at the top of Act II. 

Shane Cinal’s simple, but stylish scenic design is dominated by wooden beams and rafters, bedecked with lighted wreaths and Christmas trees, that are especially appropriate for the Vermont inn where the Christmas show unfolds. Talented costumer Justin LeBlanc teams up with Alice Salazar to create a colorful, period-perfect palette of fashions, hair, wigs and makeup from the 50’s. Mr. LeBlanc’s black-and-white themed wardrobe for the opening of Act II nicely mimics the piano keys, and her red and white finale costumes are all (except for one strangely incongruent light-yellow gown) a holiday hit.  

Ms Gerritson’s cast features a sleigh-load of excellent performers. The production is led by handsome, talented, charismatic crooner Tommy Thurston, as Bob Wallace. This was the role created in the film by Bing Crosby. A young veteran of the Chicago musical stage, Mr. Thurston is remembered at MTW as Pharaoh in “Joseph…Dreamcoat,” and as Edward Bloom in Boho’s “Big Fish.” But this talented triple-threat has never sounded better. Tommy is joined by topnotch singer/dancer Jimmy Hogan, as Phil Davis (the Danny Kaye role from the movie). Although he has understudied for several shows, he was last enjoyed as Schroeder in Citadel Theatre’s “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Both actors share a special, authentic chemistry, both as best buddies and a song-and-dance team, but their individual pairing with their romantic costars cannot be denied.

The lovely and multitalented Anna Marie Abbate dazzles as Judy Haynes, the role made famous by Vera-Ellen. Ms Abbate’s talents have been seen in several MTW productions, but she was particularly wonderful as Esmeralda in their production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” In this musical, Ms Abbate belts out so many wonderful hits. Together with Mr. Hogan the two partner to bring excitement and poetry-in-motion to the stage. The leading lady of so many Music Theater Works’ productions, lovely Kelly Britt is simply breathtaking as Betty Haynes, the Rosemary Clooney role. Her performance of “Love, You Didn’t Do Right By Me” is both soulful and beautifully performed. Mr. Thurston and Ms Britt brings old-fashioned style and romance to numbers like “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)” and “How Deep is the Ocean,” while all four performers soothe the audience with “White Christmas,” as well as with “Blue Skies” and the delightful “Sisters.” Watch for Thurston and Hogan’s hilarious performance of the song, as well! 

However there are several other performers who at times steal the show. Lovable comedienne and belter Alicia Berneche, plays the salty, wisecracking Martha Watson. She’s the real brains behind the inn, and, although she delivers her dialogue with an unnecessary, stereotypical Brooklyn accent, Ms Berneche sparkles like the star on top of a Christmas tree. Alicia’s show-stopping performance of “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy” brings a smile to everyone (as does gifted, young Lea Biwer, as Susan Waverly, in her walloping reprise of the song). Brian Rooney returns to MTW, after performing for five years in Asia. He is a warm, funny and impressively commanding as a frustrated, retired General Henry Waverly, the owner of the Vermont bed-and-breakfast. Mr. Rooney’s speech to his former army battalion in Act II is both sincere and stirring. And Phil Platakis, as slow-moving handyman Ezekiel Foster, adds bucolic humor to the show with his funny, monosyllabic New Englander quips.

The holiday season is off to a wintery wonderland of delight in Skokie. Music Theater Works happily returns to what it once did best: producing a good, old-fashioned classic, complete with all the bells and whistles. The show’s brought to life by a gloriously gifted orchestra and features a multitalented cast of performers. It’s a sweet treat of a production, filled with familiar tunes from the Irving Berlin songbook, and performed with plenty of panache and pizzazz. Sasha Gerritson’s direction feels fresh and contemporary, although the show’s vintage and a bit corny, because she has seasoned it with just the right amount of sentimentality and heart. It’s a warm, glittery production, perfect for all ages, and just a joyful cup of entertainment eggnog for a Chicagoland Christmas.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented December 16-January 1 by Music Theater Works at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 847-673-6300, or by going to 

www.musictheaterworks.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by going to www.theatreinchicago.com