Seattle, Then Denver & Sacramento, to Get 'White Christmas'

The popular holiday musical White Christmas, based on the classic movie musical, will be presented in Seattle.

The 5th Avenue Theatre will present White Christmas from November 25 through December 20, 2006.

"Every holiday season, audiences of all ages enjoy the uplifting story of White Christmas. Now, a new generation will be able to experience this holiday tradition in a completely new way ­live on stage!  The 5th Avenue is one of only four theaters in America to produce this classic Christmas movie musical newly adapted for the stage," according to 5th Avenue notes.

White Christmas previously played to packed houses in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Boston, in productions based on the original direction of Walter Bobbie. This is a co-production, and immediately after the Seattle run, the show will travel to Sacramento in January 2007 and to Denver in December 2007.

"The fun begins after WWII when two of the hottest song-and-dance men in showbiz team up with a sister act to save their former general's country inn. The result is a sparkling holiday package filled with splashy dance numbers, falling snow, treasured tunes and loads of heartwarming nostalgia." It includes the beloved Irving Berlin songs "Sisters," "Blue Skies," "I Love A Piano," "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing" and the popular title song, "White Christmas."

The stage musical is based on the 1954 movie musical starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, Dean Jagger, Grady Sutton, Sig Rumann, Barrie Chase and George Chakiris.  Released in August, the movie grossed $12 million in theater rentals and held the number one position as the top money-making picture of 1954. It is also one of the most popular movie musical rentals of all time.

The cast of 26 actors includes: Michael Gruber (B'way A Chorus Line, 5th Ave Singin' in the Rain) as Bob Wallace; Christina Saffran Ashford (A Chorus Line,
Singin' in the Rain) as Betty Haynes; Tari Kelly (The Boy From Oz) as Judy Haynes; Greg McCormick Allen (5th Ave Wonderful Town, Wizard of Oz) as Phil Davis; Stephen Godwin as Gen. Henry Waverly; and Carol Swarbrick as Martha Watson. Sharing the role of 10-year-old Susan Waverly in alternate performances are Olivia Spokoiny and Keaton Whittaker.

Other cast members include: Krystle Armstrong, Scott Brateng, Kristen Dawn Calgaro, Christopher Clay, Ross Cornell, Clayton Corzatte, Anthony Curry,
Dannul Dailey, Taryn Darr, Michael Ericson, Brittany Jamieson, Chad Jennings, Bobbi Kotula, Lauralyn McClelland, Jayme McDaniel, Matt Owen, Amanda Paulson, Pamela Turpen, and Billie Wildrick.

White Christmas is co-directed by Jamie Rocco (The Sound of Music, Singin'
in the Rain) and David Armstrong (Company, Sweeney Todd, Hair). The sets and
costumes are designed by Anna Louizos (Avenue Q) and Carrie Robbins (Grease, Iceman Cometh), respectively. The choreographer is Jamie Rocco and the conductor/musical director is James May. Tom Sturge is the lighting designer; Andrew Horka is the sound designer and Mary Pyanowski is the hair/make-up designer. Anne Kearson is the production stage manager.

Visit www.5thavenuetheatre.com for more information.