Latest White Christmas incarnation

[DottieD'Luscia]

I saw the tour twice during its most recent engagement at The Kennedy Center in DC. I saw the show previously in Boston a couple years prior to its Broadway engagement. I noticed this time around that the production cut back on the set and several scenes were played in front of the scrim for set changes. I don't remember this occurring in Boston and definitely not on Broadway.

I also noticed that the I Love a Piano tap number was significantly restaged, and that the guys in the ensemble no longer danced on a raised platform. Although it was still excuted wonderfully, a lot of the impact and dazzle was diminished for some reason. The audience response wasn't as enthusiastic as it had been in Boston or on Broadway.

I enjoyed it for what it was, and I found the characters of Ezekiel, Rhoda and Rita less annoying than I have in the past.

Drew Humphrey appeared as Phil Davis in place of David Elder, and was quite good. David Yiaz Yoder was obviously called in as an ensemble fill-in as he wasn't listed in the program. I wonder if the only male swing was already in use.

On a side note, the show never should have been booked past January 1st, as their final week, tickets were sold at a great discount (which is why I ended up seeing it a 2nd time).