Little Theatre presents holiday classic
Chester Boffo, left, Sarah Spies, April Bonvechio and Kenn Holmes during rehearsal for Little Theatre's holiday production of “White Christmas.”
The Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County will present “White Christmas,” directed by Rex Huffman, Thursday, Dec. 5 through Sunday, Dec. 15 for families looking for an evening or afternoon of songs and dances.
Huffman said the show has always been one of his favorites.
“I immediately liked the story, and the people were appealing,” he said. “Actually, the first time I saw it was on a black and white TV set. I didn’t get to see the big-screen movie until my wife Karen and I visited family in Kentucky. After that, we saw it a number of times, but it wasn’t until 2000 that the live stage version debuted in St. Louis. In 2008 it opened on Broadway.
“This year is the 70th anniversary of the film. I’m not one who worships the movie when I’m directing the stage play, but because the play has some changes from the original, I wanted to stick as closely to the original as far as customs, costumes and colors are concerned. We are recreating 1954. During auditions the men were asked if they would shave their beards since there was little facial hair during that time period. All of them were willing to do so.”
The story of “White Christmas” revolves around soldiers Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, who met while serving under Gen. Henry Waverly in World War II. Ten years later they are still working together as a popular song and dance team when they meet the singing sisters, Betty and Judy Haynes. Phil becomes enamored with Judy while Bob is more reserved about his feelings for Betty.
The two men follow the sisters to their seasonal engagement at the Columbia Inn in Vermont. There they discover the inn is owned by Gen. Waverly, who is struggling to survive. The foursome decides to put on a big show to draw customers to the inn, and things get complicated from there. Audiences will immediately recognize the well-known Irving Berlin songs including “Sisters,” “Count Your Blessings,” “I Love a Piano,” “Blue Skies” and the title song, “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.”
Huffman’s cast includes Kenn Holmes as Bob Wallace; Chester Boffo, Phil Davis; April Bonvechio, Betty Haynes; Sarah Spies, Judy Haynes; Timothy Charlton, Gen. Waverly; Kathy Blair-Bergstrom, Martha Watson; Tabby Miller, Susan Waverly; Scott Cooley, Ralph Sheldrake; Conner Limbaugh, Zeke Foster; Jared Sparks-Lee, Mike, the stage manager; Tom Albury, Mr. Snoring Man; Machelle Miller, Mrs. Snoring Man and seamstress; Abigail Zeedyk, Rita; Anna Styer, Rhoda; Casey McMillan, announcer, conductor; Maya Lewis, Gloria, dance captain; Anna Zurcher, Sheldrake’s Secretary; Will Hammerstrom, Jimmy and others; Garin Gingrich, Scooter and others; Kaitlin Alleshouse, Cigarette Girl and others; Mary Smreck, train passenger and others; Denise Cooley, Tessie and others; and Seth Rhodes, train passenger and others.
Working with Huffman will be Tom Albury and Kathy Blair-Bergstrom, assistant directors; Shannon Mitchell, music director; Kathy Cummings, stage manager; Oakley Tipka, Ethan Tipka and Ryan Flaherty, backstage crew; Shannon Mitchell and Abigail Zeedyk, choreographers; Pam Douglas, sound and props; Meghan Miller, projections; Anastasia Merritt, lighting; Gillian Kashak, hairstyles; Laurie Miller, photography; and Jane Detrick and Michele Davis, special props. Projections are created by Kathy Bergstrom.
Evening performances for the 2 1/2 hour show will begin at 7:30 p.m. with matinees at 2:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased from the Kent State Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center or at the door and are $20 for adults and $15 for children and students. The show is sponsored by Alley Cats Marketplace and McInturf Realty Christmas in the Park. TuscoMFG is the season sponsor.
The Little Theatre is located at 466 Carrie Ave. NW in New Philadelphia.