By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com
photo from Arts Express
The sparkling sisters act of Judy (Lydia Chandler) and Betty (Emily Gant) Haynes fill their hearts with romance and show business just to help a couple of cute guys save the Vermont inn of the General who led them in wartime.
Who doesn't love that good old fashioned feeling of a traditional Christmas. The kind that makes you think of sentimental songs, crisp cold air, fluffy soft snow flakes, rosy cheeks, happy faces and that generosity of spirit which never seems to exist any other time of year.
This year the Arts Express theater company turns to that most venerable of secular holiday classics – “White Christmas” the song, the movie and the stage adaptation – filled with impressive costumes full of red and white, big numbers performed with waves of full-body choreography, tuneful melodies packing buoyantly spirited energy and show-stopper tap dancing.
Formally known as “Irving Berlin's White Christmas,” the show's book was written in 2004 by veteran playwright David Ives working from the 1954 film directed by Michael Curtiz (“Casablanca”).
Along with that iconic title track, (introduced in the 1942 movie “Holiday Inn”) are such Berlin hits from the evergreen American songbook as “Let Yourself Go,” “Sisters,” “Snow,” “Count Your Blessings,” “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and “I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.”
Add to this the location of the Arts Express Theater itself, deep in the mall at Park Place, and it could become dangerous to do any Christmas shopping after the show. The odds are strong “White Christmas” will have you glowing with such generous Yuletide spirit it could lead to financial excess.
Susan Lane Stokes as director is joined by music director Aaron Rice and choreographer Dominique Isabella Ruffalo to shape a stage full of singers, actors and dancers that has the feel of “a really big show” as Ed Sullivan would say. In fact, the famous TV impresario has a scene in the second act, and a word from the sponsor Oxydol.
If those names from the early days of television mean anything to you, this Arts Express production will have an even deeper connection. Proudly flaunting its 1940s-style postwar patriotism and 1950s vintage lore, this “White Christmas” loves to tell it like it was.
Leading the way are Daniel Gilmore and Matt Milne as PFC Phil Davis and Capt. Bob Wallace respectively. Both are triple threat actor/singer/dancers, beginning Act One on Christmas Eve, 1944, as soldiers in the European theater, trying to create some Christmas cheer so far from home.
Calling these soldierboy/entertainers to attention is Karl Haas as the gruff on the outside, soft on the inside General Henry Waverly.
The story jumps ahead 10 years to a country inn in Vermont. The general, now retired, owns it but he's going broke. Civilian life isn't nearly as much fun as his years in the army, And even worse, Vermont is having a heat wave in December. They haven't seen a flake of snow. No snow means no guests.
Meanwhile Phil and Bob are finding New York City success with their zippy vaudeville act. But once they learn their General is having financial problems in Vermont, they are eager to head for those barren slopes to put on a show at the snowless inn that will save their General's bacon.
Of course there are two appealing young women involved, the song and dance sister act of Judy (Lydia Chandler) and Betty (Emily Gant) Haynes.
All sorts of plot complications and lovely songs are worked through before the audience is invited at the end to join in triumphantly singing “I'm dreaming of a White Christmas,”
For the whole family, it's a guaranteed happy ending. Jadyn Gillette as young Susan Waverly, the General's granddaughter, brings extra spunk to her part. Amy Williams adds comedy relief and a booming voice with her contribution as Martha, the brassy former army sergeant who's also sweet on the General.
“White Christmas” plays through Dec. 19 at the Arts Express Theatre in the Park Place mall. 5870 E. Broadway, with performances at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. matinees Saturdays and Sundays.
All audience seating is reserved and can be purchased for 1-6 guests per group. For larger groups, call the AET box office. Tables can be purchased with multiple seating options. Tickets are $30-$40 person and can be purchased online at https://www.arts-express.org/white-christmas or by calling the box office, (520) 319-0400.
COVID protocols are observed. For details, visit arts-express.org or call the box office (520) 319-0400.
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