If your spirit needs a lift going into the holiday season be sure to catch “White Christmas”, the newest production by the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. Based on the 1954 movie with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, the simple plot is a canvas for the timeless songs of Irving Berlin and some spectacular dance numbers.
IF YOU GO
“White Christmas” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, runs until Dec 28. Tickets are $65-87.
The first big number, “Happy Holidays/Let Yourself Go” has the feel of the classic musical, expertly choreographed by Stephanie Wood who also plays Rhoda and dances throughout.
This is Wood’s second time performing “White Christmas” at Riverside. It was her first show in 2013 when she was also selected as the dance captain. Now after choreographing over 20 shows, she returns as the assistant director and choreographer.
“Dancing and choreography is my passion so I’m very fortunate, so I thank Patrick A’Hearn [artistic director] for this opportunity,” Wood said.
The four lead actors: Sarah Mae Andersen as Judy Haynes; Ally Dods as Betty Haynes; Kevin Cleary as Bob Wallace; and Jordan Thomas Burnette as Phil Davis all show their acting, singing, and dancing chops.
(Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi)
Andersen and Dods know each other offstage and drew on that familiarity for their roles as the Haynes sisters. “The story between the sisters has been wonderful to explore,” Andersen said. “We know each other from school. I met Ally at my JMU audition and we have been friends ever since. Neither of us have sisters in real life so we’re kind of each other’s chosen sister. It’s been really fun to explore our on stage relationship and care about each other in that way on stage and off.”
Andersen and Burnette’s showcase number “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing” is a beautiful and elegant piece that seamlessly changes up style and tempo throughout.
“Stephanie did a wonderful job and Jordan is a terrific partner,” Andersen said. “That one is so fun but it gets me; by the end I’m winded. The ensemble takes it from there with all the dancing and they are just fabulous and they’re working hard.”
Kathy Halenda has a standout performance as the concierge Martha. She puts her huge voice to work in the show-stealing song “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy”. Young actor Vera Barfield makes the most of her singing and acting skills as Susan Waverly, the granddaughter of the General. Her reprise of “Let Me Sing” is a nice contrast to Halenda’s earlier version of the song.
Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.
Props are well-utilized in the production. The familiar song “Blue Skies” is a grand number featuring umbrellas as props and “I Love a Piano” is a tap-dance sequence performed with oversized piano keys. Music director Carson Eubank leads a skilled eight-piece orchestra which gives the music extra presence and dynamics.
While this production does not attempt to alter the classic musical, it leans into something audiences can find familiar.
“For me, and I think for a lot of people, the movie musical ‘White Christmas’ is special and brings a sense of nostalgia, comfort, tradition,” Wood said.
“I watch it every year during the holidays. I used to watch it with my grandparents… My grandfather served in World War II so the military themed aspect of the show meant a lot to our family and I know it does for a lot of families. The Greatest Generation are sadly passing away and we don’t have many more of them, so it’s special to watch that every year. To perform it on stage for audiences is going to be special.”
