White Christmas Tickets

Who has not heard 'White Christmas', the best of songs! In 1940, Irving Berlin wrote what he thought was not only the best song written by him but rather best song written by anyone ever! And truly enough it really is one of the most memorable songs ever written. The song has been rehashed several time to cash on its success but none of them have been as successful as Bring Crosby's version which was later one featured in a 1954 Technicolor movie of the same name. So first it was a song, and then there were many versions. Then in 1954 a movie was made starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen. And then finally 50 years after the movie and 64 years of the song, White Christmas hit Broadway in 2004. Ever since, there has been no stopping it.

The play starts with an opening scene of Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, 2 World War II US Veterans. Wallace is a Broadway entertainer whereas Davis wants to be an entertainer as well but has not gotten a chance yet. It is Christmas Eve and the US army is somewhere in Europe and Wallace is keeping his comrades entertained with the assistance of his friend Davis and they are singing 'White Christmas'. In the movie, this song was one of the biggest reasons for its success for the dazzling vocals of Bing Crosby are mesmerizing to say the least. In the play, however, Stephen Bogardus plays Bob Wallace whereas Jeffry Denman plays Phil Davis.

When the war ends, the two buddies try their luck in nightclubs, bars, radios and then finally Broadway and voila, they are stars overnight! Their sizzling hot acts find and audience amongst the hi-fi Broadway crowd and their 'Playing Around' tour is a success till it reaches Florida. They are in Florida when they receive a letter from two sisters. An old acquaintance in the form of a mess sergeant convinces Wallace and Davis to audition the two girls. Judy and Betty are two talented sisters trying to escape their brutal landlord and his accomplice, the local sheriff. The boys help the girls escape by giving them their own train tickets first and then later accompanying them to Vermont. And from there the story takes on just the same as the movie.

The play first premiered in San Francisco in 2004 under the title Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Initially it was not as successful as the song or the movie but slowly, the popularity of the play did increase, in fact, so much so that so far the show has been shown in various venues throughout the United States of America, in cities like Buffalo, Boston, Los Angeles, Louisville and Detroit. Not only that, the show is also touring the United Kingdom in 2006 which will last till 2010. Along with that, the show also did make it to Broadway as well in 2008-09 in the Marquis Theatre. The 53 Broadway performances were produced by Walter Bobbie whereas the world renowned Randy Skinner choreographed the entire play.

In November 2009, the show made a major breakthrough when the task of producing the show was taken up by MLOC Productions Inc, at Elwood's Phoenix Theatre. This time around, the show was directed by Judy Sullivan and the music director was Geogg Earle. Merilyn Young would be the choreographer and the cast would include Peter Phillips as Wallace, John Davidson as Phil Davis. Rowena Brown and Kate Knight would play Betty and Judy Haynes respectively. The show will come back for the second season in December 2009. Also in November 2009, the show will return to Broadway at the Marquis Theatre again. The cast for this production includes James Clow as Wallace, Tony Yazbeck as Phil, Mara Davi and Melissa Errico as Judy and Betty respectively. Bobbie and Skinner are again directing and choreographing the show. This very production has a US National Tour in November 2009 which will end in January 2010.

Despite the fact that the show has received brutal remarks from Charles Isherwood of The New York Times, it has managed to win 2 Tony Award Nominations for Best Choreography and Best Orchestra. It also received many Drama Desk Award nominations including Outstanding Director of a Musical and Outstanding Choreography etc. Which is why this show is a must for everyone so you better get your White Christmas Play tickets now?