Heritage Delivers Blizzard of Holiday Cheer with WHITE CHRISTMAS

PERRY  — If you’re dreaming of a holiday show that feels like a mug of hot cocoa wrapped in a cozy blanket, Heritage Theatre’s White Christmas is just the thing. Under the direction of Leslie Richards, this classic practically glows with Christmas cheer. The stage musical with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, premiered in 2000 with book by David Ives and Paul Blake, and is based on the 1954 Paramount Pictures film by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank. This musical adaptation does makes some changes to the film’s plot. New songs are added and others removed, however even the new songs fit the age and style of the show because they were also written by Berlin. Fans of the film will still find all the warmth and charm they love. 

Gary Robertson played the leading man Bob Wallace with a wonderful singing voice full of timber and depth. Robertson’s rendition of “Count Your Blessings” was sung lovingly with tenderness and ease. Andrew Crumpley’s Phil Davis was charismatic and flirtatious as he chased after many girls throughout the show. Together Robertson and Crumpley made a delightful duo especially during the “Sister’s (Reprise)” with great comedic timing and fun.

Karlie Clark brought a thoughtful maturity to Betty Haynes, guarding her heart with care. Clark’s beautiful voice was smooth with the perfect blend of jazz as she slid from note to note while singing “Love You Didn’t Do Right By Me”. When paired with Robertson singing “How Deep is the Ocean?”, these two delivered one of the vocal highlights of the night.

Judy Haynes was played by Ginny Waldron with a bright girlish tone from the 1950s. Judy’s cheerful demeanor, optimism, and ambition really contrasted that of her sister’s and created a delightful juxtaposition between the two. Clark and Waldron also charmed the audience with a lovely performance of “Sisters,” wearing gorgeous matching blue dresses complete with oversized blue fans truly creating a delightful tribute to the film and the fan favorite song.

Timothy Coal Mair portrayed General Waverly with the right balance of stern discipline and quiet tenderness. Mair’s performance of Waverly’s two heartfelt tributes to his troops, one at the war’s end and another at the Christmas show, were touching moments. Mair very effectively addressed the audience as if they were his soldiers. This brought the audience into the story from the beginning and reprised that belonging at the end.

Sabrina Johansen played Martha, the general’s concierge at the ski lodge. Martha takes more of a centerstage role in the musical wanting to sing a fun and boisterous number “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy” in the Christmas show. Johansen was confident and shining as she sang and showed that Martha truly is a performer and not just a concierge.

Evie Kennedy was adorable as Susan Waverly, General Waverly’s granddaughter. Kennedy’s glowing smile and lovely singing brought the character to life and her reprise of “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy” revealed a bright young performer with great promise.

A humorous highlight of the night was Ezekiel, the quirky groundskeeper played by James Birmingham. His unexpected entrances and dry comedic timing were hilarious however it is a true mystery this shy brilliant man doesn’t have a cast biography in the program! Where did they find this guy?

Choreography by Charlie Adams, with assistance from Julia Scherbel, Ginny Waldron and Teresa Shereve, gave this production an extreme amount of energy and sparkle. The show features impressive dance numbers including the lively ensemble tap piece “Happy Holiday/ Let Yourself Go.” “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing” performed by Crumpley and Waldron showcased a lengthy and beautifully executed dance sequence that was a joy to watch.

Costumes designed by Brianna Taylor were perfectly suited to the 1954 setting, featuring long dress coats, full skirts, and matching costumes for the dance numbers. The blue and silver costumes of the cast in “Blue Skies” matched beautifully and created a crisp unified look. The beautiful red and white costumes in the final number were lovely especially Betty’s off the shoulder dress with white fur and red lace. Many of these costumes paid homage to the original film while still creating new design for this production.

Overall, White Christmas at Heritage Theatre is filled with warmth, talent, and an unmistakable Irving Berlin sparkle. The cast was full of heart and caring in bringing this beloved show to life. You can’t help but leave humming and maybe even glancing upward to see if it will magically start to snow on your way out of the theatre. If you’re looking for a feel-good night that will boost your Christmas joy, this show is your ticket to a perfectly nostalgic holiday escape.