White Christmas
White Christmas was presented in arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en-route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander. With a dazzling score, featuring well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial title song, White Christmas is an uplifting, wholesome musical that delights audiences of all ages.
Gallery
Director
Rodney Coe
WHITE CHRISTMAS. What a timeless classic! Set in the 1950’s post-World War 2, this story manages to capture the heart of a nation as they recall and honor those who laid it all on the line, all while using some of Irving Berlin’s greatest music!
When I started digging into the history of this screen-to-stage adaptation, I learned a number of things! The title song, White Christmas, wasn’t originally to the movie baring its name. It was first heard in Holiday Inn, starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire in 1942. But how did such a simple song so quickly become America’s favorite Christmas carols? Surprisingly, neither film was the expose to this iconic song. The first time the nation heard the song was Christmas day, 1941. Just 18 days after the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. You see, Kraft Music Hall was a popular radio program in 1941 with the average listening audience being around 22 years of age. Bing Crosby was originally unsure and didn’t want to include the song in the original radio program or Holiday Inn, fearing it might leave his military audience sad and longing for home. Lucky for us absence makes the heart grow fonder and, popular opinion won out.
Yes, the music is beautiful, and the dance numbers are entertaining, but for me, this show is about love! Love between a man and a woman but more so the love of our fellow man. Sacrificial love. Being willing to put your own needs aside for the benefit of another and to give somebody a second chance despite being hurt by them. Sort of how the Father loves us. Unconditionally. Isn’t it amazing how the sacrificial love of Christ is woven into the fabric of so many beautiful stories!?