Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

Following the lead of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, this musical, based on the popular 1954 film version of White Christmas, returned for an encore run a year after it made its Broadway debut. The original film, which starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney, had grown in stature in recent years, prompting the production of a stage version, which was presented on the increasingly family-oriented Broadway scene. The musical version closely follows the plot of the film, with minor variances. After World War II, a general retires to run a winter inn in Vermont. When the lack of snow threatens the inn’s holiday season, two of the general’s former enlisted men, both of whom have become top entertainers, come to their superior’s rescue by bringing their musical revue to the inn. Most of the songs in the movie were retained, including the iconic title number, with other Berlin favorites added to the score, such as “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” and “How Deep Is the Ocean.” The show had two successful limited runs during consecutive seasons at the Marquis Theatre. In the show’s second run, the leads were portrayed by James Clow, Tony Yazbeck, Mara Davi, Melissa Errico, David Ogden Stiers, and Ruth Williamson. Although critics were mainly impressed with Randy Skinner’s scintillating choreography, the New York Times acidly described the production as “fresh and appealing as a roll of Necco wafers found in a mothballed Christmas stocking.”

Music

Irving Berlin

Lyrics

Irving Berlin

Book

David Ives & Paul Blake