What could be more perfect for a snowy Thanksgiving week in Milwaukee than a production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas?. Not much. Everything in this musical version of the film classic is sharply produced, from the costumes to the cast to the music and choreography. It’s old-fashioned and G-rated, making it one of the best family entertainment options around.
This is Milwaukee’s first look at a national tour of White Christmas, which opened on Broadway in November 2008. It played through the holidays that year. Blessed with an abundant song list by Irving Berlin, the musical has a few new numbers inserted in the show. Of course, “White Christmas” is best remembered as a 1954 film starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, with Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. All the film’s original cast members have long since died. But the heart of the story is timeless, as evident by the umpteen times the film is shown on TV during the holidays. The “live” version will never replace the film (in this reviewer’s opinion). It’s too firmly etched in the memories of the Greatest Generation and the Baby Boomers. Besides, the film’s foursome turned out to be an ideal mix of sweet and sour temperaments.
The show opens on a World War II battlefield during Christmas Eve. A couple of soldiers are trying to entertain the homesick troupes. After the war, the soldiers become a hit song-and-dance team. They meet a couple of singing sisters who are performing at a nearby club. All four characters wind up on the same train heading to a Vermont inn. When they arrive, the beautifully detailed set captures all the charm of a north woods lodge. The only thing missing is snow, so the tourists stay away. The inn is headed toward bankruptcy. Bob has a great idea; since the inn’s owner is Bob and Phil’s former commander during World War II, they will create a new show at the inn and invite all the members of their Army division for the opening performance. That’s bound to pack in crowds, right? Later, through a series of miscommunications, the departure of Betty reminds Bob that he has grown more attached to her than he thought. But have no fear: all ends well.
Instead of trying to “update” the film, the musical makes slight variations. The only thing that fails to work here is the chemistry between the two couples. David Elder and Meredith Patterson, who portray the livelier Phil (Danny Kaye) and Judy (Vera-Ellen), seem to neatly pair off without a lot of fuss. But chemistry is completely lacking between Trista Moldovan and James Clow as the more reserved Bob (Bing Crosby) and Betty (Rosemary Clooney).
It should be noted that the show’s producers do not make any attempt to physically match the musical foursome’s looks to the famous film cast. Following the talented Bing Crosby would give any actor pause, but James Clow delivers an excellent performance. He’s a terrific singer, too, who turns “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” into one of the show’s highlights. In the musical, Betty lingers behind the scenes during “Blessings” as Bob sings the first chorus to a little girl who is visiting her grandfather at the Vermont inn. Romance is supposed to happen between the adults as the girl scampers off to bed. But the sparks don’t seem to fly.
The show’s pace picks up considerably in Act II, which opens with the spectacular, “I Love a Piano.” It’s so fabulous that one wishes it could have been part of the 1954 film. The hoofers tap their way to a frenzy that inspired applause by an appreciative audience on opening night. Everything about the number – from the girls’ one-piece outfits that are trimmed at the neck with black and white stripes to mimic a keyboard – to the boys’ snappy white shirts, pants and red-striped ties, is perfectly coordinated. The dancers hop up and down white piano stools without missing a beat. The music, singing and dancing are top-notch.
Following a few other peppy numbers, Betty tones things down with a sensuous “You Didn’t Do Right By Me.” She has taken a job in a tony New York nightclub. Clad in a long gown with white gloves, she positively smolders. Bob looks on from a table in the front. However, they can’t straighten out the miscommunication because Bob needs to make a hasty exit. He goes on national TV to make a pitch to the former troupes in his division. Mission accomplished.
Just as in the film, stagehands rush to open the barn doors for the welcome sight of falling snow. The costumes, now as glamorous as the red velvet and white fur in the film, perfectly set off a Currier & Ives set. Even the front rows in the audience get a slight sprinkling of snow along with the holiday cheer generated by this happy, old-fashioned show.
