“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas”

This year, it is Marriott Theatre’s “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” that is bringing the musical back to life. They of course, do the in-the-round staging and under the direction and choreography of Linda Fortunato, their production is one that will have you tapping your feet to the music of Berlin. Berlin’s music and lyrics are masterful and classic and the book by David Ives & Paul Blake weaves the story and the music into a tale that could be plausible and real.

The story starts with a portion of World War II as we are in an army camp and meet three of the members of a unit under General Waverly (Rom Barkhorder) . They are song and dance men, Bob Wallace ( a delightful performance by Ben Mayne) and Phil Davis ( played to perfection by Tyler Johnson- Campion) and Ralph Sheldrake ( a hip promoter played by Alex Goodrich). It is 1944 and the war is just about over and it is Christmas.

We then move forward ten years. Bob and Phil are working the circuit and have a plan to do a show in Florida. They learn about a couple of sisters that have an act from an old army buddy. They are looking for a life with someone at this time, but to date, have not found the perfect mate. They agree to go see this act of Betty ( deftly handled by Jaqueline Jones) and Judy (an amazing performance by tap-dancing Kelly Felthouse). They boys fall for them and part of the play is getting Bob to realize that Betty is the one for him.

There is a gig waiting for the girls up north and  Judy and Phil work out a plan to not do Florida, but rather head north. Meanwhile, the weather is not conducive to snow, so the guests at the hotel leave. Phil and Bob find out the lodge is owned by their general and decide to bring their show to the lodge and get all the GI’s that served with them to come up and save the lodge from bankruptcy. It is the old “Let’s put on a show” concept.

This is a brilliant production with some amazing tap dance numbers. The ensemble in this production is amazing and numbers like “The Best Things Happen While Your’e Dancing” and “I Love A Piano” will knock your sox off! Berlin’s songs like “Sisters”, “Count Your Blessing Instead of Sheep”, “How Deep Is The Ocean”, “Happy Holiday”, “White Christmas” and many more will bring back memories of the film ( you might recall that this was Danny Kaye,, Rosemary Clooney, Vera Ellen and Bing Crosby).

Marriott’s ensemble features David Rosetti, Kayla Kennedy, Teah Kiang Mirabelli, Cynthia F Carter, Time Brickey, Christpher Kelley, Jonathan Kwockm Maya McQueen, Joshua Messmore, Robin Mcgee and special of note, the adorable Meena Sood as the General’s granddaughter Susan and Michael Kingston in a few novelty character roles.

The orchestra, led by Cameron Tragesser is perfect and never overpowers the performers. Sally Dolembo’s costumes are wonderful and the lighting (Jessie Klug) and sound (Michael Daly) are perfect as always. It is difficult to do set design for an in-the-round-venue but Jeffrey D. Kmiec does it with ease and the props by Sally Zack are sheer perfection.

This is a trip down memory lane with lots of amazing dance numbers and songs that you have been hearing for many years. If nothing else, you will forget about anything heavy on your mind ( we were there the day after the presidential election, so there!). You will smile, you will tap your toes, you will laugh and at one point, you will even be  joining in with the cast to sing. What a wonderful way to spend two hours and twenty minutes ( two acts-one intermission). Looking for a “family holiday show , “THIS IS IT!

Marriott Theatre is located in Lincolnshire at 10 Marriott Drive

just East of Milwaukee Avenue ( route 21) and South of Half Day Rod ( route 22)

Restaurants on premises