Great White Christmas Way - Redux
Great White Christmas Way - ReduxTomorrow, the return Marquis Theatre engagement for Irving Berlin's White Christmas begins previews after an absence of only eleven and a half months.
Last year's Great White Way mounting grossed over $9.1 million and played to an enviably large, nearly sold-out audience of over 92,000. With an average ticket price topping $100, it's not too difficult to understand why its producers are bringing it back in hopes of a truly green Christmas.
White Christmas is once again directed by Walter Bobbie and features the brilliant, Tony-nominated choreography by Randy Skinner. But this recreation of the classic 1954 film has Irving Berlin's beloved score as its main attraction.
While last year's critical response was tepid at best, I can't help but think part of that had to do with some of the cast, particularly its male leads who were identical to those whom I saw when the show toured St. Paul in 2006.
What a difference a year makes. James Clow takes over the role of Bob Wallace from Stephen Bogardus, Tony Yazbeck assumes the role of Phil Davis from Jeffry Denman, Melissa Errico takes on Betty Haynes from Kerry O'Malley and Mara Davi will portray Judy Haynes, first played by Meredith Patterson. It's Yazbeck's casting that has me thinking this show could actually improve over last year.
Will audiences make like a tree and flock to this White Christmas once again? Certainly, that's what its producers are dreaming of to make their holiday season merry and bright.
The limited holiday season run of White Christmas opens November 22 and is scheduled to close January 3, 2010.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
This story was corrected on November 13, 2009.
Labels: Broadway, Irving Berlin, Musical, Revival, Walter Bobbie, White Christmas
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Thursday, November 12, 2009
3 Comments:
Hi Steve,
This years show will be fantastic. One correction in your blog though. Mara Davi, not Ruth Williamson will be playing the role of Judy Haynes. She's fantastic. Ruth will be fantastic as well but in the role of the Martha. The whole cast looks phenominal.
Thanks Ima for the correction which is duly noted above.
Tony Yazbeck is the only reason I'm tempted to see this again (well that and I love the music), but I don't know if I want to spend the money, unless they do the lottery like they did last year.
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