My thoughts on WHITE CHRISTMAS

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/18/09 at 8:03pm

I didn't want to love it. I didn't even want to like it. But I did like it, and I did love it. WHITE CHRISTMAS is exactly what I wanted out of a Broadway musical - bright, flashy everything - despite a mixed-bag cast.

Okay, so only two members of the four leads don't really thrill. There's absolutely zero chemistry between James Clow and Melissa Errico. They don't even look like they have any particular desire to be there. They sing fine. Well, Errico sings better than fine. On the basis of vocals and presence, Errico wins hands down. She's been absent from the stage for far too long. And why didn't they wait to revive GUYS AND DOLLS as a vehicle for her?

David Ogden Stiers and Ruth Williamson and the little girl (I don't have the program in front of me) stand out in their supporting roles.

Tony Yazbek and Mara Davi truly relish their roles, have a great deal of chemistry and are mighty fine dancers. "I Love a Piano," shoehorned in to be the opening of Act II, is the show's highlight.

That is until the encore - a Currier and Ives card come to life, designed by Anna Louizos and lit by Ken Billington.

Louizos really outdid herself with that set.
Updated On: 12/18/09 at 08:03 PM

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 12/18/09 at 8:22pm

That's exactly how I felt, except I adored Clow and Errico.

[singtopher]

Posted: 12/18/09 at 10:38pm

I felt very similar. It was living in a snow globe for 2 hours, even though there are plenty of groan worthy moments in the book. Yazbek and Davi were worth the cost of admission, along with the wonderful musical number. However, I saw it in previews and some of the dances still needed some fixing, and the usually scene-stealing Williamson was not on her game.

[philly03]

Posted: 12/24/09 at 3:14am

I saw White Christmas last night (the 23rd). Saw the tour here in Philly too this year, but went back on Broadway for Errico. Actually thought Errico & James Clow were great, and then Davi & Yazbek were great, but the two couples showed no chemistry with the other. Clow & Yazbek were great together, as was Errico & Davi, but as soon as the couple scenes started it was two different things.

I really did think Melissa Errico was the highlight of the show for me, but I've always been biased towards her. A little disappointed she wasn't able to kill that last note of "Love You Didn't Do Right By Me" such as Anastasia Barzee (wow! Where has she been!??) did or Kerry O'Malley did on tour and I'm sure last year on Broadway. I love Errico's voice for the rest of the music in this piece though!

The only thing I don't get about White Christmas is why they don't wear the outfits from the poster/ending more than they do. They look phenomenal, espeicially Errico's gown, it's too bad!