White Christmas Tour

[lovinlife2]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 5:40pm

Anybody see it? If you have, does it look like the original stage productions that were in S.F., L.A, or Seattle? fill us in!!!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 5:48pm

in Boston?

http://Boston.BroadwayWorld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=947044&dt=14

Updated On: 12/5/07 at 05:48 PM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 5:50pm

I believe the tour that is playing Atlanta and another city does not feature the original direction by Walter Bobbie or the the choreography of Randy Skinner.

[justme2]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 5:56pm

The tour is NOT the White Christmas show that is the Walter Bobbie/Randy Skinner version currently in Boston and Toronto this year. The regional versions around the smaller houses are from the licensed show available. This tour is neither of these and I don't understand how this is happening.

The Walter Bobbie directed version of this show is outstanding; a real throwback to what musicals should be. Lots of tap dance numbers, partner dancing, glorious singing and wonderful sets.


In another thread regarding the White Christmas cast recording, I asked this question and so far no one can answer it:

"Can someone please explain to me how this happens? I understand that the rights to this show were available to regional companies beginning somewhere in 2006. I understand that this means regional companies can put on the show and what we see is the same show, but a scaled back version as to sets and number of dancers due to budgetary constraints.

What I don't understand is how someone can take a licensed show and change the concept of it to suit their vision. I thought licensed meant protected? Am I wrong? "

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 6:05pm

"What I don't understand is how someone can take a licensed show and change the concept of it to suit their vision. I thought licensed meant protected? Am I wrong?"


They're not licensing the concept, they're licensing a script.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 6:13pm

My parents just ushered all weekend for the tour at Tennessee Performing Arts Center. They enjoyed it...the first time or two. But they said a whole weekend of it got old. LOL.

[justme2]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 6:19pm

Thanks Best12....but I'm still confused, because I see tours of shows like "The King and I" and they can't change the concept of the show, right? There still has to be a King in Siam and Anna and the musical numbers are the same, right?

So the other thread commment that got me thinking was when another poster said that Jeff Calhoun had turned the story into a musical about them making the musical (or movie) White Christmas...now that's NOT in the script of the Irving Berlin White Christmas I saw...which is why I am trying to clarify.

[justme2]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 6:41pm

This is the information that got me wondering about the rules...

"Heads up! Though advertised in many places with the same logo, the current national tour is NOT the same Walter Bobbie production that has played runs at many regional theatres. It's mounted and produced by Theatre of the Stars in Atlanta, directed by Jeff Calhoun. While in general a very talented and worhty production, Calhoun includes a framing device that sets the whole show as if it were the movie being filmed. There are boom mics and spotlights on the edge of the stage constantly, and each scene begins and ends with a very loud studio bell. I was able to block it out after a while and enjoy the wonderful production that happens inside, but I still can't help but wish they hadn't included it altogether."

[henrybutler]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 11:06pm

yes i saw this theatre of the stars production (directed by jeff calhoun, choreographed by noah racey, starring Tom Galantich, Marla Schaffel, and Roxane Barlow in a small featured role, among others) in nashville just last weekend, and actually enjoyed it a lot more than i thought i would! As mentioned, it had an interesting "movie musical - set" theme to it, with all the action happening on a soundstage with cameras and crewmen around them, but the highlights were the smooth direction, really good production value (beautiful sets, costumes, and LIGHTS especially) and polished ensemble numbers. It was unabashedly "old-school" just the way it should have been, but polished and clean and bright and not too corny. I liked it!
this is not, from what i understand, the same production that was playing in boston.

[nycdncr]

Posted: 12/5/07 at 11:25pm

the tour production is NOT the Walter Bobbie/Randy Skinner production that played/is playing in San Fran, LA, St. Paul, Detroit, Boston, and Toronto.

theaters are allowed to produce the show by licensing the script and score. they can put whatever spin the want to on it as long as dialogue and songs aren't changed.

if you want to see the show as it was originally intended, i suggest booking it to toronto or boston.

[justme2]

Posted: 12/6/07 at 2:25am

So it's only dialogue and songs that are protected in a license agreement? That makes sense then, that Calhoun could change the sets and concept of the show.

Thanks!

[lovinlife2]

Posted: 12/10/07 at 11:28am

anyone know where i can find some production photos?