A Sweet Candy Cane of a Musical

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

It’s beginning to look a whole lot like Christmas. I know, we just had Halloween and Thanksgiving is still a few weeks away! But buckle up Buttercup—there’s no getting around it. The holidays are fast approaching so get ready. And the Marriott Theatre has got a lovely, likable, energetic and sweet candy cane of a musical comedy that’s guaranteed to put theatergoers in the mistletoe mood.

Adapted from the popular 1954 film of the same name, that starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen, the stage musical version premiered at the Muny Theatre in St. Louis 24 years ago. The theatrical musical, with a book by David Ives and Paul Blake, was retitled IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS. Then the show opened on Broadway during the 2008 holiday season and returned again the following year for a limited engagement. The production also launched a popular National Tour that same year. Although the condescending New York critics were unimpressed, calling it too saccharine sweet; however, the production earned Tony nominations for choreography and orchestrations, and audiences flocked to enjoy this heartwarming holiday show. IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS now joins a long list of annual Christmas theatrical favorites.

Beautifully Directed and cleverly Choreographed by the incomparable Linda Fortunato, this warm, old-fashioned family musical is brimming with fresh energy, spectacle and heart. The score offers a Christmas stocking stuffed with delicious musical treats from the Irving Berlin songbook. The story, for those unfamiliar with the movie, is about two show biz couples who fall in love while trying to save a struggling Vermont lodge. But the combination of sophistication and folksiness, humor and heartfelt moments, along with all the favorite characters from the film, nicely drive the plot from tender ballads to big production numbers. The result is like a trip home for the holidays.

Linda Fortunato’s large cast includes a sleigh load of some of Chicago’s most talented triple-threats. This production is led by handsome, gifted, charismatic Ben Mayne, as Bob Wallace, the role created by Bing Crosby. Ben may be remembered at the Marriott for his performance in BEAUTIFUL, as well as his brilliant starring role in Paramount’s THE FULL MONTY. He’s joined by an absolutely astonishingly gifted newcomer to the Marriott family, topnotch singer/dancer Tyler Johnson-Campion. As Phil Davis, he brings a powerhouse of energy and injects a whole lotta life into the Danny Kaye role. Tyler, who has the most dazzling, contagious smile ever, shares a special chemistry with Mr. Mayne as this comic song-and-dance team. 

The skillful pairing of these two leading men with their individual romantic costars cannot be denied. Often stopping the show, lovely and lovable, magnetically multitalented Kelly Felthous plays Judy Haynes, the role made famous in the movie by Vera-Ellen. Kelly’s comic, choreographic and vocal talents have been enjoyed in Jeff nominated performances like THE MUSIC MAN, SEUSSICAL! and (my personal favorite) LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. The stellar team of Ms. Felthous and Mr. Johnson-Campion, are especially showcased in “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing,” and the toe-tapping production number, “I Love a Piano.” This dazzling duo continually brings excitement and poetry-in-motion to the Marriott stage. Lovely songstress and accomplished actress Jacquelyne Jones (Rizzo in GREASE, Fiona in SHREK THE MUSICAL) returns to the Marriott as Betty Haynes, the Rosemary Clooney role. Her performance of “Love, You Didn’t Do Right By Me” is soulful and beautifully performed. Mr. Mayne and Ms. Jones bring old-fashioned style and romance to numbers like “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” and “How Deep is the Ocean,” while the entire cast warms the audience’s hearts with a sing-along rendition of “White Christmas” and the lush, optimistic “Blue Skies.” And “Sisters,” Jacquelyne’s delightful duet with Kelly, is one of the audience favorites.

Two more talented newcomers grace the Marriott stage. They include Rom Barkhordar (THE BAND’S VISIT at Writers), as the gruff, retired commander, General Henry Waverly, and the magnificent Robin R. McGee, as Waverley’s Gal Friday, Martha Watson. While the General rants and raves about wanting to return to the Army, Martha is the wisecracking, but lovable deadpan comic who’s the real brains behind the Inn. Ms. McGee sparkles, like the star on top of a Christmas tree, belting out a show-stopping performance of “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy.” 

Returning to the Marriott stage after last year’s wonderful production of A CHRISTMAS STORY, talented and lovable Meena Sood plays young Susan Waverly. She performs a delightful reprise of Martha’s song that shows off her own powerful voice. Michael Kingston’s cameo as The Snoring Man (during the catchy musical number, “Snow”) and Ezekiel Foster, the slow-moving handyman at the Inn, often stops the show with his funny, monosyllabic New Englander quips. Chicago favorite Alex Goodrich brings plenty of humor and grace to the role of Ralph Sheldrake who, like Bob and Phil, served under General Waverly during WWII. Now he’s the influential producer of “The Ed Sullivan Show.” And let us not forget the gifted and talented technical staff, particularly Sally Dolembo and Miguel A. Armstrong, for their gorgeous Costume and Wig Designs, as well as the marvelous, hardworking ensemble of singers and dancers who make every musical number a confection of fun. They’re all fantastic! 

Yes, it can’t be denied that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially at the Marriott Theatre. The fast-approaching holiday season may seem far away, but this entertaining and star-studded family-friendly production is sure to inspire theatergoers to start composing their letters to Santa. An unabashedly sweet and old-fashioned musical, Marriott’s IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS is filled with welcome delights from the beloved composer’s songbook. Each song and choreographed number is performed with panache and pizzazz under Linda Fortunato’s excellent guidance. This is a winning production that feels especially fresh and contemporary. After many months leading up to a contentious election, this show brings the perfect amount of positive sentimentality and heart. It’s quite simply a warm, sweet, candy cane of a musical to usher in the holiday season.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 30-December 29 by the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling the Marriott at 847-634-0200 or by going to www.MarriottTheatre.com.

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