Review: Sold Out WHITE CHRISTMAS is Red Hot Thru Dec 6

By Dr. Anton Anderssen and Marco Airaghi

The hottest ticket in town is White Christmas at The Players' Guild of Dearborn - that is, if you were lucky enough to snag tickets before they were wiped out. Every single ticket is taken for the entire run. Word spread like wildfire after opening weekend that this is the show to see for Christmas.

Firstly, the show has star magic. White Christmas recruited top talent for this production. Greg Viscomi plays philanderer Phil Davis, a handsome and charming chump who woos every lady he encounters. Viscomi has talent in spades: singing, dancing, acting and speaking. He is accompanied by Lindel Salow who plays Bob Wallace, the man who really isn't very interested in women. Salow has a theatrical resume a mile long and is a big draw whenever he stars in a show. Some guests said he was the outstanding performer in this musical, but it's difficult to say because the powers that be chose a slate of top-notch talent in the leads.

Carissa Madley stars as Judy Haynes, the object of Phil's desire. She is stunningly beautiful and immensely talented. She plays the role perfectly. At her side is Kathleen Duffy who plays Betty Haynes, the more talented of the sisters (according to the plot), who abruptly departs for New York City to take an enviable job offer. All four of these stars have a wonderful chemistry working together on stage.

Bob and Phil are indebted to General Henry Waverly, played valiantly by Dave Wood. He is great in the role having a commanding voice and gallant stance. At first I thought he was channeling the voice of the late and great John Wayne, but apparently that is Wood's genuine voice. It enhances the honorable and lionhearted aspects of the military character he is playing.

Coordinating a surprise for the general is Ralph Sheldrake, played magnificently by Paul Bruce. This role was perfect for him; Sheldrake is a man with Hollywood in his genes, and Paul Bruce exudes theatrical ability. Bruce has more talent in his finger nail than I have in my entire body.

The big surprise for me in White Christmas was the performance by Denise Kowalewski-Tucker, a beautiful, polished, classy, articulate, soft-spoken lady who officiates weddings. She auditioned for and won the role of Martha Watson. Watson is a grumpy, dumpy, frumpy, irritable loud mouth, something like the housekeeper (played by Conchata Ferrell) in Three and a Half Men. I wondered how Miss Tucker could portray such a firey dame. Well, she did it, and the audience went crazy for her as she belted out "Let Me Sing and I'm Happy." Bravissima.

Jamie Paschke plays the adorable little Susan Waverly, granddaughter of the general. She was stellar in the reprise of Happy. She is a little stick of dynamite with an incredible voice that raised the audience to give thunderous applause.

The costumes in White Christmas are splendid. I especially enjoyed the finale when the entire cast sported Christmas red attire. It was a Kodak moment, indeed.

Of special note, Adam Lynch shined as a dancer in the ensemble; he was spectacular and clearly a preeminent dance artist. He was strong and agile in this production, in a league of his own.

Unfortunately, the only way to see this show is if someone cancels and the unused tickets are returned to inventory. Patrons are urged to check for availability frequently by visiting http://www.playersguildofdearborn.org/tickets/ .

Friend Anton Anderssen at https://www.facebook.com/teddybears

Cast:

BOB WALLACE Lindel Salow

PHIL DAVIS Greg Viscomi

BETTY HAYNES Kathleen Duffy

JUDY HAYNES Carissa Madley

GENERAL HENRY WAVERLY Dave Wood

MARTHA WATSON Denise Kowalewski-Tucker

SUSAN WAVERLY Jamie Paschke

RALPH SHELDRAKE Paul Bruce

RITA Juliette Abbott

RHODA Meg Kisch

ENSEMBLE

Diane Cliff

Trevor Berry

Amanda Chatila

Adam Lynch

Ashley Youngheim

Katie Garber

Maddie Kaplan

Alexis Mosley

Allison Crawford

Tim Carney

Katelyn Harrison

Casey Irwin

Jeff Lokken

Tom Sparrow

Melissa Foster

Anneka Hernandez

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