Stepping off the screen and onto the stage, the Cumberland County Playhouse welcomes a second rendition of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas brought back by popular demand.
The classic tale walks the audience through the lives of two talented musical duos and a lonely General Henry Waverly, played by Dennis Elkins, who wants to serve his country in the Army again. Elkins is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association.
Captain Bob Wallace, played by Noah Sowalskie, and his mischievous friend and soldier in arms, Phil Davis, played by Riley Wesson, are a powerhouse partnership that will carry the audience through a lovely rendition of all the classic Christmas songs.
Sowalskie and Wesson jump-start the show with a bang as they sing “Happy Holidays” to cheer up their fellow soldiers on Christmas Eve on the front lines of the war in Germany.
The Playhouse welcomed back to the stage with their beautiful voices and impressive acting, Liv Pelton and Heather McCall, play sisters Judy and Betty Haynes, respectively. Pelton and McCall bring the Christmas spirit as they find love and laughter on their journey.
Pelton’s angelic voice reaches a wide range and fully entices the audience. She’s hip, wild, and in love. She’s Judy Haynes, played by Pelton. Pelton recently played “Sandy” in Grease.
McCall embodies Betty Haynes as the lady who is always watching over Judy who loves to fall in love. The role was made for her. McCall recently played “Carole King” in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.”
The duo takes the stage by storm as they confidently guide the audience through every number from the first note to the last.
A necessary comedic character, Ezekiel Foster, played by James Scott, had the audience laughing so hard they held their bellies. Scott’s comedic bursts only add to the play.
The live music was magnificent and perfectly on tempo under the direction of Jacob Miller. The impeccable timing was surreal. The saxophone during McCall’s solo in the Regency room added a next-level sophistication to the show’s climax.
Britt Hancock, a veteran playhouse artistic director and cast member, directed White Christmas. Under his direction and attention to detail, White Christmas is another must-see show at the Playhouse.
Ralph Sheldrake, played by veteran playhouse actor Daniel Black, always has “a million dollar proposition” up his sleeve ready to share with his friends Wallace and Davis. Black’s masterful acting fully rounded out the show as he took this role and blew it out of the water.
The choreography, by Choreographer Ashley Gentry, was astounding. Every turn, step and pirouette was perfectly timed, elegant and graceful. The tap-dance numbers were highly energetic.
The costumes and wigs transported the audience into the world of 1954. Each costume, designed by Zahra Jangbar and Kimberly Stark, fit the actors well and only added to the beautiful details of the show.
The lighting, designed by Christopher Van Tuyl, and the sets, designed by Curtis Phillips, brought the stage to life. The perfect spotlight that followed Martha Watson, played by Lauren Marshall, with the footlights and “the gaudiest background you’ve got” where she got to strut her stuff in the barn.
Little Susan Waverly, played by Lydia Sias, takes the cake with all her sass and sweetness all tied up in a dress and two French braids. Sais debuted her impressive vocal talent with the audience. This role is split between Sias, Elle Lislac and Rayna Noga.
Cast members of the ensemble add to create an impressive play. Mary Humphrey showed off her extensive dancing skills with the audience. Michael Ruff had the audience laughing with his melodic snores on the train.
In an interesting twist, the audience gets to play a part in the show. During the final song, sung by Sowalskie, he invites the audience to help him bring the holiday cheer by singing “White Christmas” with him and the rest of the cast.
The Irving Berlin’s White Christmas production ran at the Playhouse in 2006 and 2023. White Christmas will have the audience clapping, tapping and singing along with every song and dance number.
Rated G, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas will run in production in the Mainstage Theater until Dec. 21 at the Cumberland County Playhouse. Call the Playhouse at 931-484-5000 to reserve tickets or visit them online at www.ccplayhouse.com.