Le Petit Theatre Rings in the Holiday Cheer with WHITE CHRISTMAS, 12/4-12/20

Le Petit Theatre will present Irving Berlin's beloved family musical "White Christmas," from December 4 - 20. New Orleans' newest holiday experience will include not-to-be-missed decorations and visits from Santa at every matinee. And, just in case New Orleans gets a warm December, there's a guarantee of snow inside the theatre.

A stage adaptation of the beloved, timeless film, this heartwarming musical features 17 Irving Berlin standards to tell the story of two World War II veterans whose successful song and dance act (and eyes for two beautiful singing sisters) leads them to a picturesque Vermont Inn - which just happens to be owned by their former army commander - to stage a winter show.

Presented originally on Broadway last year to sold-out audiences, the uplifting story is a merry and bright theatrical experience full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written. The dazzling score features well-known standards such as "Blue Skies," "I Love A Piano," "How Deep Is the Ocean" and the perennial favorite, "White Christmas."

Le Petit's 25-member cast features five local talents who have gone on to regional and New York theater careers: Brandt Blocker (Director), Richard Arnold (Phil Davis), Ashley Lemmler (Betty Haynes), Kasey Marino (Bob Wallace) and Julie Tolivar (Judy Haynes).

Arnold - whose "White Christmas" role was performed by Danny Kaye in the film - appeared at Le Petit last year as Cliff in "Cabaret." While in New York, he has performed with the Broadway tour and Moscow companies of 42nd Street. Lemmler - who takes on Rosemary Clooney's role - is widely known across the region. Most recently at Le Petit, she was seen as Amalia in "She Loves Me," Nellie in "Summer and Smoke," and the soprano in the vocal quartet in "City of Angels." She's a frequent performer on the New Orleans music scene, including jazz solo spots at Harrah's and the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Marino - stepping into Bing Crosby's film role - was seen this past summer in Tulane Summer Lyric's production of "Company" as Robert. He was featured in the closing company of "Hairspray" on Broadway and is currently working on several Broadway-bound projects. Tolivar - whose slot was originally filled by Vera-Ellen - understudied and played Truly Scrumptious opposite Raul Esparza in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" on Broadway, and understudied Tony-award winning actress Karen Ziemba in the role of Georgia Hendrix in the Tony-winner "Curtains" on Broadway. She won the 2008 Kevin Kline Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Polly in "Crazy for You" at Stages St. Louis.

Because of the added demand for tickets, Saturday matinees have been added to regular performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees.

Hotel Package - The AAA Four-Diamond Omni Royal Orleans, one of the city's favorite hotels in the heart of the French Quarter, is offering a "Le Petit Performance Package" for Le Petit theatre-goers who prefer to take the elevator home after a night on the town in the French Quarter on performance nights. The hotel is just blocks away from the theatre. Package includes two tickets to a performance, deluxe accommodations, single or double occupancy, two "Flights of Fancy " cocktails featuring three of the Rib Room Bar's famous concoctions, overnight parking in the hotel's garage for one night. Prices start at $175, based on availability at the time of reservation. Not available to groups or in conjunction with other promotional offers. For reservations please call 1-800 -The-Omni or visit www.omniroyalorleans.com.

"White Christmas" is a special holiday presentation of Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré's 94th season, for which subscription numbers doubled the previous year's. The oldest continually operating community-based theater in the nation, Le Petit offers guaranteed reserved seating and flexible options for subscribers, as well as a wide range of ticket prices to suit every theater-goer's needs. Tickets for "White Christmas" range from $25 - $62; student and group discounts are available. Evening performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday begin at 8:00 p.m. Curtain rises for Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. The season's remaining productions include "13," "Grey Gardens," and "The Wedding Singer."

Patrons seeking tickets, student pricing and subscription information, please visit Le Petit's Box Office online at www.lepetittheatre.com, or call 504-522-2081.

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