Rick Elice Writes About Thomas Schumacher and Matthew White's Surprise Thanksgiving Wedding

Peter and the Starcatcher's Rick Elice just posted a heartfelt Huffington Post blog about his experience in the Berkshires this November 24th, when he witnessed the wedding of his friends, longtime partners Broadway producer Thomas Schumacher and interior designer Matthew White (I). An excerpt follows.

"Christmas in the Berkshires is like waking up in a Currier & Ives sampler accompanied by that Leroy Anderson song. Since the completion of Thomas Schumacher and Matthew White's place in the country, a gorgeous pile atop a hill in Hillsdale they've christened Otium, a small group of us have turned up each Christmas Eve and Day, washing away our city stress with mulled wine and one another. The environment is pretty grand, but we're not. Just a circle of friends who like to laugh and argue, with families too far away to visit in the short break that Broadway's holiday performance schedule allows...So we were desolate when Tom and Matt informed us that there would be no Christmas at Otium in 2012, as they were off to Venice to save yet another part of the sinking city. I know saving Venice is important, but more important than Christmas in the Berkshires? Seriously? Consternation became disappointment, which became resignation. And then the email arrived from Tom.

"'Dear ones -- Since Christmas has been cancelled, let's do Thanksgiving instead. Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, to be precise. You must come. Must, as in you're coming. 'No' is not an option. Fun and games and the whole gang. November 24th. Be there.'"

Read the full story here.

Broadway producer Thomas Schumacher is currently president of Disney Theatrical Group. His Broadway, West End, touring and international producing credits include Beauty and the Beast, King David, The Lion King, Der Glockner von Notre Dame, Aida, On the Record, High School Musical, Tarzan, Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid. Matthew White is a renowned interior designer and heads White Webb.

Tony Award winner Rick Elice's theatre writing credits include Broadway's Peter and the Starcatcher, The Addams Family and Jersey Boys. He also worked as a choreographer on The Laundry Hour off-Broadway.