CHARMING RENDITION OF ICONIC HOLIDAY FILM, WHITE CHRISTMAS, BROUGHT TO LIFE AT MUSIC THEATRE OF CONNECTICUT
By Kiersten Bjork (December 20, 2024)
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, which played at Music Theatre of Connecticut December 6-22, is a charming rendition of the iconic holiday film, brought to life in an intimate theatre space with a talented company. The musical is based on the Paramount Pictures film of the same name, written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank. With music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, a book by David Ives and Paul Blake, orchestrations by Larry Blank, and vocal and dance arrangements by Bruce Pomahac, the MTC production features direction by Kevin Connors, the theatre’s Executive Artistic Director and Co-Founder. The original stage production was directed by Walter Bobbie. Choreography at MTC is by Mallory Davis with music direction by David Wolfson.
White Christmas follows former soldiers Bob Wallace and Phil Davis from Christmas Eve in the army to years later, now renowned performers, as the holidays are once again approaching. Wallace and Davis are getting ready to put together their latest smash-hit show when they meet the Haynes sisters, Judy and Betty, who have a sister act. In a sudden change of plans, Wallace and Davis find themselves in Pinetree, Vermont, instead of on their way to Florida, set to perform with the Haynes sisters at a cozy inn for the holidays. To their surprise, their former General, General Waverly, is the innkeeper there. The inn is struggling, and so the duo decide to muster up their former comrades to bring the General some holiday cheer. What ensues is a heartwarming tale of family and friendship with a dash of romance and a healthy dose of Broadway magic and holiday joy, featuring iconic songs such as “Sisters,” “Snow,” “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” and of course, “White Christmas.”
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, which played at Music Theatre of Connecticut December 6-22, is a charming rendition of the iconic holiday film, brought to life in an intimate theatre space with a talented company. The musical is based on the Paramount Pictures film of the same name, written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank. With music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, a book by David Ives and Paul Blake, orchestrations by Larry Blank, and vocal and dance arrangements by Bruce Pomahac, the MTC production features direction by Kevin Connors, the theatre’s Executive Artistic Director and Co-Founder. The original stage production was directed by Walter Bobbie. Choreography at MTC is by Mallory Davis with music direction by David Wolfson.
White Christmas follows former soldiers Bob Wallace and Phil Davis from Christmas Eve in the army to years later, now renowned performers, as the holidays are once again approaching. Wallace and Davis are getting ready to put together their latest smash-hit show when they meet the Haynes sisters, Judy and Betty, who have a sister act. In a sudden change of plans, Wallace and Davis find themselves in Pinetree, Vermont, instead of on their way to Florida, set to perform with the Haynes sisters at a cozy inn for the holidays. To their surprise, their former General, General Waverly, is the innkeeper there. The inn is struggling, and so the duo decide to muster up their former comrades to bring the General some holiday cheer. What ensues is a heartwarming tale of family and friendship with a dash of romance and a healthy dose of Broadway magic and holiday joy, featuring iconic songs such as “Sisters,” “Snow,” “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” and of course, “White Christmas.”
Josh Powell and Derek Luscutoff in White Christmas at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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Elena Ramos Pascullo and Elissa DeMaria in White Christmas at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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Josh Powell plays Bob Wallace, the role made famous by Bing Crosby in the film. Powell is a great comedic actor, playing those funny moments with an over-the-top energy that works well for the character. He’s also got a great voice, shining on numbers such as “Love and the Weather,” “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” “Blue Skies,” and more. Opposite Powell as Phil Davis is Derek Luscutoff. Luscutoff is charming and suave, which is just right for Davis. He excels in the dance duet between Davis and Judy Haynes and is fun to watch as he juggles the affections of Rita and Rhoda while falling in love with Judy.
Betty and Judy Haynes are played by Elena Ramos Pascullo and Elissa DeMaria. The two women are a joy to watch in their respective tracks, and they play off of each other very well. Their dynamics with their respective scene partners, Powell and Luscutoff, are also excellent. Pascullo is just the right mix of powerful and sweet, high-strung and grounded, as Betty. Betty is a woman faced with choices and isn’t always sure which one is the right one, and Pascullo plays each moment of decision and debate wonderfully. Similarly, DeMaria makes great choices as Judy, and brings a spunkiness to the part that is fun to watch, especially in her moments opposite Luscutoff’s Phil. Her dance with him during “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing” is stunning.
General Waverly is played by Scott Mikita, who returns to the MTC stage after appearing in recent productions of Ghost and The Legend of Georgia McBride. Mikita is sharp and poised, yet kind, as the former General, and his relationship with Ella Cahill’s Susan is lovely.
Opposite the General is Kirsti Carnahan as Martha Watson. Carnahan is fantastic as the headstrong and loveable Watson, determined to keep the General’s spirits up even in the bleakest times, but never one to back down from a fight. Carnahan is engaging in the role, and puts on a great show, especially in “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy.”
Betty and Judy Haynes are played by Elena Ramos Pascullo and Elissa DeMaria. The two women are a joy to watch in their respective tracks, and they play off of each other very well. Their dynamics with their respective scene partners, Powell and Luscutoff, are also excellent. Pascullo is just the right mix of powerful and sweet, high-strung and grounded, as Betty. Betty is a woman faced with choices and isn’t always sure which one is the right one, and Pascullo plays each moment of decision and debate wonderfully. Similarly, DeMaria makes great choices as Judy, and brings a spunkiness to the part that is fun to watch, especially in her moments opposite Luscutoff’s Phil. Her dance with him during “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing” is stunning.
General Waverly is played by Scott Mikita, who returns to the MTC stage after appearing in recent productions of Ghost and The Legend of Georgia McBride. Mikita is sharp and poised, yet kind, as the former General, and his relationship with Ella Cahill’s Susan is lovely.
Opposite the General is Kirsti Carnahan as Martha Watson. Carnahan is fantastic as the headstrong and loveable Watson, determined to keep the General’s spirits up even in the bleakest times, but never one to back down from a fight. Carnahan is engaging in the role, and puts on a great show, especially in “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy.”
Elissa DeMaria and Derek Luscutoff in White Christmas at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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Scott Mikita, Elissa DeMaria, Elena Ramos Pascullo, Ella Cahill, and Derek Luscutoff in White Christmas at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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Young Susan Waverly, the General’s granddaughter, is played by Ella Cahill. Cahill is a delight in the role, playing Susan with a youthful humor and spunk that is just right for the role. She has a couple of good one-liners that make the character quite endearing.
Quinten Patrick Busey plays Ralph Sheldrake, the old friend of Wallace and Davis that helps execute the plan to round up their former squad. Busey is energetic and likeable, making the iconic “million-dollar proposition” line his own with a clever delivery.
Courtney Echols and Hillary Ekwall are amusing as Rita and Rhoda, and Rex Glover elicits some good laughs as the uptight stage manager, Mike. Connor Russell had the audience chuckling as the man-of-few-words, barn-turned-stagehand Ezekiel Foster. Rounding out the company are Melissa Goldberg, Rafa Pepén, and Sarah Warrick, with Warrick having a few nice featured moments as Tessie.
Quinten Patrick Busey plays Ralph Sheldrake, the old friend of Wallace and Davis that helps execute the plan to round up their former squad. Busey is energetic and likeable, making the iconic “million-dollar proposition” line his own with a clever delivery.
Courtney Echols and Hillary Ekwall are amusing as Rita and Rhoda, and Rex Glover elicits some good laughs as the uptight stage manager, Mike. Connor Russell had the audience chuckling as the man-of-few-words, barn-turned-stagehand Ezekiel Foster. Rounding out the company are Melissa Goldberg, Rafa Pepén, and Sarah Warrick, with Warrick having a few nice featured moments as Tessie.
Hillary Ekwall, Derek Luscutoff, and Courtney Echols in White Christmas at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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Courtney Echols, Elissa DeMaria, Derek Luscutoff, and Rex Glover in White Christmas at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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Scenic design by April M. Bartlett with support from associate scenic designer and properties supervisor Arielle Silbert sets the scene beautifully with rustic wooden flooring, holiday greenery, and the structure of the wooden barn that frames much of the show. The pianist is incorporated in the set stage right, and stage left includes a porch location with swing that is used for a few key moments.
Lighting and projection designer RJ Romeo builds upon the set design nicely, highlighting individual locations via lighting and developing a warm overall feel for the show. I particularly enjoyed the look of the final snow of the show.
Costume designer Diane Vanderkroef has created and curated beautiful pieces for this production. There are a range of looks in this show, and the designs are excellent across the board. My favorites include the full ensemble looks for “Blue Skies” and the final “White Christmas” red looks. Wigs designed by Peggi De La Cruz are also top-tier.
Sound design by Jon Damast is solid across the board. The live musicians are well-balanced with the performers in most cases, and the sound quality was agreeable throughout. The production features a talented band, including music director David Wolfson (keyboards), Vicky Rosado (woodwinds), Stefan Dinkel (trumpet/flugel), Jim Walker (vibraphone), Alan Lounsbury (bass), and Nate Dobas (percussion).
Lighting and projection designer RJ Romeo builds upon the set design nicely, highlighting individual locations via lighting and developing a warm overall feel for the show. I particularly enjoyed the look of the final snow of the show.
Costume designer Diane Vanderkroef has created and curated beautiful pieces for this production. There are a range of looks in this show, and the designs are excellent across the board. My favorites include the full ensemble looks for “Blue Skies” and the final “White Christmas” red looks. Wigs designed by Peggi De La Cruz are also top-tier.
Sound design by Jon Damast is solid across the board. The live musicians are well-balanced with the performers in most cases, and the sound quality was agreeable throughout. The production features a talented band, including music director David Wolfson (keyboards), Vicky Rosado (woodwinds), Stefan Dinkel (trumpet/flugel), Jim Walker (vibraphone), Alan Lounsbury (bass), and Nate Dobas (percussion).
Josh Powell and the company of White Christmas at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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Kirsti Carnahan and the company of White Christmas at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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White Christmas is an enjoyable performance from start to finish. It’s a decently large musical that is made intimate by MTC’s small space, and it works well in that smaller format. The audience is invited into the story, given an up-close-and-personal experience during the most intimate moments as well as in the largest tap numbers. It’s the perfect show for the holiday season, and it was clear that the audience in attendance was having a lovely time. If you didn’t have a chance to catch the production, check out the other shows coming to MTC later this season, including the hilarious Ken Ludwig comedy, Moon Over Buffalo, and the iconic musical La Cage aux Folles!
White Christmas ran December 6-22, 2024, at Music Theatre of Connecticut in Norwalk, CT. Tickets for upcoming MTC productions are available online at www.musictheatreofct.com or by calling the Box Office at (203) 454-3883.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
White Christmas ran December 6-22, 2024, at Music Theatre of Connecticut in Norwalk, CT. Tickets for upcoming MTC productions are available online at www.musictheatreofct.com or by calling the Box Office at (203) 454-3883.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.