#1
Posted: 11/14/08 at 11:41pm
I've just now joined BW and although I did see Billy Elliott earlier this week, and loved it, I figure enough has been said about that show for now. I saw White Christmas as well, so here ya go:
Every year at around this time I pull out my DVD of the classic holiday movie, White Christmas. It puts me in the Holiday spirit and what would the season be without Bing Crosby crooning out White Christmas ?
Unfortunately, the new musical of the same title didn't evoke the same warm and fuzzy response from me as from the movie it is based upon.
At the conclusion of World War II, Bob Wallace (Stephen Bogardus) and Phil Davis (Jeffry Denman) become the hottest singing and dancing duo in America. Their popularity spreads even faster with TV shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show.
After meeting a singing sister act , Betty and Judy Haynes (Kerry O'Malley and Meredith Paterson), Bob and Phil are sidetracked from spending Christmas in New York and end up in Vermont with the girls. When they get there, the two ex-Army men find their former leader, General Thomas F. Waverly (Charles Dean), keeping house as the owner of a struggling inn.
“White Christmas: The Musical” has some of Irving Berlin's best music with the performances of these songs being the strongest part of this production.The device of having Bob & Phil reprise "Sister's" worked better on film, but only a few of these adaptations are a deterrent in the new script by David Ives.
Stephen Bogardus has a natural charm and swagger reminiscent of BingCrosby and does more than justice to his songs. He's a pretty good dancer too. Jeffry Denman on the other hand, is quite the song and dance man. He can do it all: sing, dance & act. My only problem with him is that I didn't feel he had much charisma onstage. He falls into the Ray Bolger/Danny Kaye character type, but just seems to miss the mark in star qual-a-tee. Kerry O'Malley possesses a sultry and rich voice and her tribute to Rosemary Clooney in 'Love You Didn't Do Right by Me" certainly hits the mark. Meredith Patterson was a revelation to me. This gal can sing, wisecrack with the best of them and dance like a dream. It's too bad that the lackluster
choreography by Randy Skinner did nothing to showcase her abilities to the
max ( think Vera Ellen). His tap numbers come off best, yet are very reminiscent of his workings in 42nd street. The steps themselves are not very challenging or creative and the big production numbers never seem to build or reach a peak. Kudos to the ensemble though who try their best and present the material with energy and enthusiasm.
The fleshing out of the housekeeper Martha Watson character seemed unnecessary but rather welcome. Susan Mansur did a terrific job in her numbers and was a refreshing presence. A dynamic combination of Ethel Merman & Carol Burnett complete with a Lucy Ricardo “do”.
Director Walter Bobbie directs the show at a lightning pace. It brings to mind the film work of maestros George Cukor ( The Women) and Gregory LaCava (Stagedoor), but unfortunately what conventions work on film don't necessarily
translate to stage. The finale with the General was also poorly conceived and I have to wonder why that wasn't presented more convincingly given the tenure of this musical. (It's been around since 2004).
The orchestrations and the orchestra are magnificent , with special kudos to Bruce Pomahac who did the dance arrangements.
Part inevitable romance, part tribute to the troops, White Christmas is feel-good fluff filled with beautiful voices and performances, but it's too long. The first Act scenes especially drag on and on. Despite the rapid fire dialogue there are too many inconsequential scenes where little happens or where the plot starts to repeat itself like the songs.
So while it is certainly not a bad production, I feel this show misses the mark. I get more seasonal enjoyment out of the 90 minute Radio City Music Hall Spectacular. Sans those beautiful Irving Berlin melodies though.
Every year at around this time I pull out my DVD of the classic holiday movie, White Christmas. It puts me in the Holiday spirit and what would the season be without Bing Crosby crooning out White Christmas ?
Unfortunately, the new musical of the same title didn't evoke the same warm and fuzzy response from me as from the movie it is based upon.
At the conclusion of World War II, Bob Wallace (Stephen Bogardus) and Phil Davis (Jeffry Denman) become the hottest singing and dancing duo in America. Their popularity spreads even faster with TV shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show.
After meeting a singing sister act , Betty and Judy Haynes (Kerry O'Malley and Meredith Paterson), Bob and Phil are sidetracked from spending Christmas in New York and end up in Vermont with the girls. When they get there, the two ex-Army men find their former leader, General Thomas F. Waverly (Charles Dean), keeping house as the owner of a struggling inn.
“White Christmas: The Musical” has some of Irving Berlin's best music with the performances of these songs being the strongest part of this production.The device of having Bob & Phil reprise "Sister's" worked better on film, but only a few of these adaptations are a deterrent in the new script by David Ives.
Stephen Bogardus has a natural charm and swagger reminiscent of BingCrosby and does more than justice to his songs. He's a pretty good dancer too. Jeffry Denman on the other hand, is quite the song and dance man. He can do it all: sing, dance & act. My only problem with him is that I didn't feel he had much charisma onstage. He falls into the Ray Bolger/Danny Kaye character type, but just seems to miss the mark in star qual-a-tee. Kerry O'Malley possesses a sultry and rich voice and her tribute to Rosemary Clooney in 'Love You Didn't Do Right by Me" certainly hits the mark. Meredith Patterson was a revelation to me. This gal can sing, wisecrack with the best of them and dance like a dream. It's too bad that the lackluster
choreography by Randy Skinner did nothing to showcase her abilities to the
max ( think Vera Ellen). His tap numbers come off best, yet are very reminiscent of his workings in 42nd street. The steps themselves are not very challenging or creative and the big production numbers never seem to build or reach a peak. Kudos to the ensemble though who try their best and present the material with energy and enthusiasm.
The fleshing out of the housekeeper Martha Watson character seemed unnecessary but rather welcome. Susan Mansur did a terrific job in her numbers and was a refreshing presence. A dynamic combination of Ethel Merman & Carol Burnett complete with a Lucy Ricardo “do”.
Director Walter Bobbie directs the show at a lightning pace. It brings to mind the film work of maestros George Cukor ( The Women) and Gregory LaCava (Stagedoor), but unfortunately what conventions work on film don't necessarily
translate to stage. The finale with the General was also poorly conceived and I have to wonder why that wasn't presented more convincingly given the tenure of this musical. (It's been around since 2004).
The orchestrations and the orchestra are magnificent , with special kudos to Bruce Pomahac who did the dance arrangements.
Part inevitable romance, part tribute to the troops, White Christmas is feel-good fluff filled with beautiful voices and performances, but it's too long. The first Act scenes especially drag on and on. Despite the rapid fire dialogue there are too many inconsequential scenes where little happens or where the plot starts to repeat itself like the songs.
So while it is certainly not a bad production, I feel this show misses the mark. I get more seasonal enjoyment out of the 90 minute Radio City Music Hall Spectacular. Sans those beautiful Irving Berlin melodies though.
