White Christmas – Musical – Review – The 5th Avenue Theatre

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Irving Berlin’s White Christmas musical at The 5th Avenue Theatre complete with an audience singalong at the end. Starring Ashley Day & the rich-voiced Cayman Ilika. Showcasing a diverse repertoire of choreography in an old-timey glamour showbiz standards motif. #whiteChristmas

Recommendation
See it, especially if you’re looking for a standard Christmas show … with pop standards!


Synopsis from the Theatre: Based on the beloved, timeless film, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas comes just in time for the holiday season. After World War II, two veterans, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, begin a successful song and dance act, following two singing sisters to their Christmas gig at a Vermont resort lodge. With classic standards such as the titular hit, “Sisters,” “Snow,” “Blue Skies,” and “I Love a Piano,” White Christmas is a stirring and delightful musical that stands the test of time

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 12/1/23 – See my previous preview posts here.

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set?: No

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but I wonder if you’d appreciate the show more if you saw the original film. I didn’t see the original film, but I enjoyed the live show.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Equity Actors: All

Total Number of Actors: Too many to count

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium Speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

Was there an intermission? Yes

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Yes

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

  • Music and Orchestra: From the NYC-like swinging jazzy overture hook, I knew the orchestra and score would be fabulous in this show.
  • Choreography: This musical was heavy on dance. I was thrilled to discover that my favorite dance modality (tap dancing) filled this show. “Blue Skies” featured clean, tight choreography with a touch of Fosse. Additionally, the dancers in “I Love a Piano” showcased good dance synchronicity. There was also an earlier number in the first act with a little Latin flair.
  • Rich Voices: Cayman Ilika (as Betty Haynes) has such a rich, developed voice with a slight transatlantic accent quality. It was immediately distinctly noticeable in her first number “Love and the Weather.” I also didn’t know that Candice Song Donehoo (as Martha Watson) could belt it until she sang “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy.” Unfortunately, her previous role in Cinderella didn’t allow her to show off her pipes like she could in White Christmas.
  • Snow: Snow wasn’t isolated to just the stage. It also fell throughout the audience. They must spend a lot of time vacuuming after every performance!
  • Favorite Lines:
    • While holding her boobs, Betty said, “Am I lopsided?”
    • “Put up a show in 5 days? Why not. They say God took a week.”
    • “I told you to work on the second chorus, not the second chorus girl.”
    • “I will just go to my dressing room and have a scene”

Rant(s)

  • Theatre Temperature: Just like in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s December show last year The Wiz, the theatre was freezing! I overheard audience members behind me mention the same thing. I ended up wearing my wool coat and gloves during the performance. For tickets that can cost upwards of $200, I imagine one of the premium seats could pay the heating bill for one night!

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

  • Holiday Inn: The premise in White Christmas is so similar to Holiday Inn that it’s almost lazy writing and I felt a little cheated. It’s akin to how Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas movies blatantly reuse the same old formula with a dash of weak plot conflict. That being said, I enjoyed both shows and I’d see either one again. Plus, I wouldn’t fault the musical’s book author too much since they were just basing the shows on the original films.
  • Christmas Tree: Why was the Christmas tree moving during “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)?” I kept wondering if someone would jump out for comic relief … which would have been leftfield for a touching scene!
  • Zac Efron: Is it just me or does Ashley Day look like Zac Efron?

Theatre Company: The Fifth Avenue Theatre

Venue: The Fifth Avenue Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 1308 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Price: Medium to Expensive

Tickets: https://www.5thavenue.org/shows/2023-2024/irving-berlin-s-white-christmas/

Ticket Affordability Options: The 5th Avenue Theatre often partners with organizations you’re affiliated with for discount tickets. For example, they sometimes offer a discount for my employer affiliation.

Dates: November 25 to December 24, 2023

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: When I don’t walk to the theatre or park on the street, I park in the paid garage at the Motif Hotel northwest of the theatre. The entrance is on 5th Ave. Do NOT park in the Hilton garage (entrance on 6th Ave). That’s where most of the audience (and I think the subscribers) parks, so it’s a nightmare to leave. However, the Hilton garage is the closest garage to the theatre and you can access the theatre through a tunnel if you want to avoid the elements. But, in my opinion, this benefit is not worth the time wasted leaving the garage.

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Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures under video and in video by Tracy Martin and Mark Kitaoka.

@showsiveseen @Irving Berlin's "White #Christmas" #musical at @The 5th Avenue Theatre complete with an audience singalong at the end. Starring Ashley Day & the rich-voiced @Cayman Ilika. Showcasing a diverse repertoire of choreography in an old-timey glamour showbiz standards motif. Review: showsiveseen.com/7598 #whiteChristmas #xmas #theatre #showsiveseen #irvingBerlin ♬ White Christmas – Michael Bublé
Phillip Attmore and Taryn Darr in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.
Ashley Day and company in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.
Ashley Day and Gia Pellegrini in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.
Phillip Attmore, Ashley Day, and Brandon O’Neill in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin.
Cayman Ilika, Taryn Darr, and company in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.
The cast of The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.
Taryn Darr and Phillip Attmore in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin.
RoleName
Bob WallaceAshley Day
Phil DavisPhillip Attmore
Ralph SheldrakeBrandon O’Neill
General Henry WaverlyReginald André Jackson
Ed Sullivan AnnouncerTy Willis
TessieCristin J. Hubbard
RitaAnia Briggs
RhodaTrina Mills
JimmyEric Polani Jensen
Betty HaynesCayman Ilika
Judy HaynesTaryn Darr
QuintetCristin J. Hubbard
Eric Polani Jensen
Charlie Johnson
Trina Mills
Brandon O’Neill
Train ConductorJohn David Scott
Mr. Snoring ManTy Willis
Mrs. Snoring ManCristin J. Hubbard
Martha WatsonCandice Song Donehoo
Susan WaverlyBeatrice Cramer, Gia Pellegrini
EzekielSean G. Griffin
MikeTy Willis
Regency Room DancersDavione Gordon
Charlie Johnson
Rico Lastrapes
Jonathan Luke Stevens
EnsembleAnia Briggs
Kristin Burch
Davione Gordon
Cristin J. Hubbard
Eric Polani Jensen,
Charlie Johnson
Ashley Lanyon
Rico Lastrapes
Trina Mills
Richard Peacock
John David Scott
Jonathan Luke Stevens
Katy Tabb
Jaclyn Wheatley
Carolyn Willems Van Dijk
Shelby Willis
Bob Wallace Underestudy Michael Sharon
Phil Davis UnderstudyCayel Tregeagle
General Henry Waverly UnderstudyTy Willis
Ralph UnderstudyJohn David Scott
Betty Haynes UnderstudyMiranda Antoinette
Judy Haynes UnderstudyMallory Cooney King
Mr. Snoring Man/Mike/Ed Sullivan Announcer/Ezekiel UnderstudyErlc Polani Jensen
Mrs. Snoring Man/Tessie/Quintet UnderstudyAnn Cornelius
Martha Watson UnderstudyCristin J Hubbard
SwingsMaggie Darago
Jordan King
Katie Marshall
Christopher Sweet
Dance CaptainMaggie Darago
ConductorBeth Grimmett-Tankersley
Keyboard 1Dwight Beckmeyer
Keyboard 2Rebecca Smith
BassTodd Gowers
DrumsAlec Wilmart
HornJill Jaques
Trumpet 1Brad Allison
Trumpet 2Richard Titterington
Trumpet 3Michael Van Bebber
Trombone 1Dan Marcus
Trombone 2Keith Winkle
Trombone 3Antonio Portela
PercussionPaul Hansen
Reed 1Dane Andersen
Reed 2Jory Tindall
Reed 3Derek Smith
Reed 4Lori Shepard
Reed 5Jay Easton
ViolinLynn Bartlett-Johnson
CelloChristine Lee
Keyboard CoordinatorMichael Matlock
Music AssistantAndrew Pang
Rehearsal PianistDwight Beckmeyer
Rehearsal DrummerAlec Wilmart
DirectorsJames A Roco and David Armstrong
ChoreographerJames A. Rocco
Music DirectorMatt Perri
Producing PartnerMarleen And Kenny Alhadeff
Composer and LyricistIrving Berlin
OrchestrationsLarry Blank
AuthorsDavid Ives and Paul Blake
Vocal and Dance ArrangerBruce Pomahac
Scenic DesignerAnna Louizos
Associate DirectorJimmy Shields
Costume CoordinatorHeidi Zamora
Director of ProductionJoan Toggenburger
Costume DesignerCarrie Robbins
Associate Music Director/ConductorBeth Grimmett-Tankersley
Costume AssociateDanielle Nieves
Production ManagerRyan Gastelum
Lighting DesignerHeather Gilbert
Associate ChoreographerMaggie Darago
Associate Lighting DesignerThorn Michaels
Technical DirectorMathew Carleton
Sound DesignerHaley Parcher
N.Y. Casting DirectorStephanie Klapper
Associate Sound DesignerLiam Steckler
Costume, Wardrobe, & Hair DirectorShannin Strom
Hair/Wig & Makeup DesignerKelley Jordan
Seattle Casting DirectorBrodrick Santeze Ryans
Assistant Hair/Wig & Makeup DesignerJuliette Lewis
Production Stage ManagerJR Welden
Assistant Stage ManagersJamie J. Kranz
Erin B. Zatloka
Swing Stage ManagerJeffrey K. Hanson
Producing Artistic DirectorBill Berry
Managing DirectorKatie Maltais
Production AssistantLarcyn Burnett
Child Actor GuardianAmy Jurkiewicz

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