WHITE CHRISTMAS Arrives In Chicago For Limited Engagement 12/15-1/2/2011

Broadway In Chicago is proud to announce Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS will make its Chicago debut during a limited, three-week engagement at the Bank of America Theatre, December 15, 2010 - January 2, 2011. Exemplifying the spirit of the season, this big holiday musical is a delightful romantic comedy that has it all... glorious Irving Berlin songs, spectacular dance numbers, and gorgeous sets and costumes. Tickets for this heart-warming celebration of Americana are currently on sale at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. 

Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS is a delightful new musical based on the 1954 smash hit Paramount movie. It tells the story of two army buddies, Bob and Phil, who have a successful song- and-dance act after the war. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters to a Christmas gig at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by their former Army commander. The boys soon realize they are the only guests at the resort because there is no snow! In order to help the General, they come up with a scheme to bring in a crowd. They decide to stage their newest Broadway revue, as well as make a special television appeal to all their Army pals to show up on Christmas Eve. The show features classic Irving Berlin hits such as "Blue Skies," "Sisters," "Happy Holiday," "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," "I Love a Piano" and the unforgettable title song, "White Christmas."

Starring as crooner Bob Wallace is John Scherer. He most recently appeared on Broadway in Lovemusik, directed by the legendary Harold Prince. He also worked with Mr. Prince in 3hree at the Ahmanson in Los Angeles. He starred in the Broadway and film versions of Andrew Lloyd Webber's By Jeeves, written and directed by Sir Alan Ayckbourn. Other Broadway credits include Sunset Boulevard and The Most Happy Fella (NYC Opera). He toured nationally in 42nd Street and Cats. He received critical acclaim for his performance as George M at the Goodspeed Opera House. Film and television credits include The Shield, Crossing Jordan, Law and Order (all three series), Titus and The Guiding Light.

Amy Bodnar reprises the role of Betty Haynes after playing it at the Tony award winning Denver Center. On Broadway, Amy played Laurey in the recent revival of Oklahoma and was in the original production of Ragtime. She starred as Marguerite in the national tour of The Scarlet Pimpernel, as well as performing as Betty Schaefer in the Canadian company of Sunset Boulevard.

Denis Lambert plays the other half of Wallace & Davis as the dashing Phil Davis. He starred on Broadway in A Chorus Line and off-Broadway in Yank!, Zorba and Finian's Rainbow. His other credits include the 1st National Tours of A Chorus Line and The Producers.

Shannon M. O'Bryan stars as Betty's sister and matchmaker, Judy Haynes. Her Broadway credits include: Irving Berlin's White Christmas, 42nd Street, City Center's Encores!, productions of Face The Music, Follies and Of Thee I Sing. Other favorites include: Gypsy, Grease, American In Paris (with Leslie Caron), the 1st National Tour and Theater of the Stars production of 42nd Street.

Starring as the cheerful but nosey inn manager Martha is Ruth Williamson. Her Broadway credits include: Irving Berlin's White Christmas, La Cage Aux Folles, The Music Man (Outer Critics Nomination), Epic Proportions, Little Me , Guys & Dolls, Smile, Musical Comedy Murders, and Annie. She's had roles in these movies: Evan Almighty, The Producers, Legally Blonde II , Family Man, Malcolm X, Foreign Student, Easy Six, Psycho Beach Party and Die Mommie, Die! Her television credits include Monk, Medium, The O.C., The Practice, ER, Star Trek : Enterprise, Law & Order, Hannah Montana and Mrs. Grubman on Nip/Tuck.

Erick Devine stars as the commanding General Waverly. His Broadway credits include: Ragtime, Sid Caesar & Co., Cats, Seussical and National Tours of Big River, Ragtime, Me & My Girl (Helen Hayes Award Nominee, D.C.), Grand Hotel, Annie Get Your Gun (with Cathy Rigby). He performed in A Sondheim Tribute at Carnegie Hall and Of Thee I Sing and Allegro at City Center's Encore! He directed Candide & HMS Pinafore (with Kristin Chenoweth), Anything Goes (with Kelli O'Hara), Annie Warbucks (with Gavin MacLeod) and The Unsinkable Molly Brown (with Cathy Rigby).

Tony Lawson will portray high powered producer Ralph Sheldrake and alternating in the role of the General's adorable granddaughter Susan Waverly are 11 year-old actresses Mary Peeples and Gianna LePera. Other cast members include: Don Rey as the neurotic stage Manager Mike Nulty and James Young as the delightful Ezekiel Foster.

Ensemble members are: Adinah Alexander, Andrew Black, Scott Brateng, Melinda Cowan, Con O'Shea-Creal, Brandon Davdison, Jenny Florkowski, Megan Jimenz, Matthew Kirk, Janelle Neal, Amanda Paulson, Ashley Peacock, Kristyn Pope, Kelly Sheehan, Haley Swindal, Merrill West and Richard Riaz Yoder.

Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS features Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin with Book by David Ives and Paul Blake and is based upon the Paramount Pictures film written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama and Melvin Frank.

This brand new production of Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS is produced by Atlanta's Theater of the Stars. The creative team includes direction by Norb Joerder, choreography by Randy Skinner, scenic design by Anna Louizos, scenic supervision and adaptation by Kenneth Foy, lighting design by Ken Billington, and sound design by Peter Fitzgerald and Erich Bechtel. The tour is produced by agreement with R&H Theatricals, an Imagem Company.

Tickets for Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS are $25 - $98 and are currently on sale. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut St.), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations (including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores), and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. For groups of 15 or more, call (312) 977-1710.

 

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