“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” an iconic and timeless new musical at the Bushnell

HARTFORD — Dreaming of a white Christmas? No place better to give those dreams a head start than at “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” playing at the William H. Mortensen Hall at the Bushnell Performing Arts Center through Sunday.
More often than not, films are based on plays, but in this case it was the film that came first. Not just any film though. The classic 1954 movie starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera Ellen.
While you can never replace those icons, the cast in this traveling production do an excellent job of ringing in the spirit of the season.
The basic plot has two former World War II soldiers, a solid John Scherer as Bob Wallace and Denis Lambert as Phil Davis teaming up as a duo act after the war. They are fixed up with the singing sisters, Shannon M. O’Bryan as Judy Haynes and Amy Bodner as Betty Haynes.
They all wind up at the inn owned by General Henry Waverly, Wallace and Davis’ former commanding officer, played by Denis Lambert. Things aren’t going so well for the general, with temperatures in the 70s in Vermont over the winter holidays.
Wallace has the idea of doing a musical review at the inn, and he invites all their former army buddies and their families to join them.
There are some misunderstandings and confusions along the way, but mostly it’s just a fine excuse for a lot of snazzy tap dancing by a talented ensemble, with choreography by Randy Skinner.
Scherer plays the Crosby role with quizzical expressions and a real presence on stage. He reminds me of an amicable television game show host. His love interest, the righteous Judy Hayes, is well played by O’Bryan, who belts out the gorgeous torch song, “Love, You Didn’t Do Right By Me,” although I could have done with a lot less vibrato from everybody.
Lambert and Bodner as Phil and Betty are terrific together and tap up a storm through the whole show.
There is also the busybody housekeeper, Martha Wilson, played by the colorful and sassy Ruth Williamson.
Two little girls playing the general’s granddaughter, Susan Waverly, who alternate on different nights. On opening night I saw Gianna Lepera and she practically stole the show with her unaffected smile and perky performance.
The costumes were all topnotch by Carrie Robbins, and I loved how many costumes there were. The finale was fantastic too. I noticed that their tap shoes in the finally were used only in that number, a small detail and an added expense, but well worth it.
Directed by Norb Joerder, they captured the feeling of the late 1940s with the clothes along with a zippy pace that kept the show cruising along.
There are lots of great Irving Berlin songs, including “Blue Skies,” “The Best Things Happen While Your Dancing,” “Sisters,” “Snow,” and of course, the most recorded Christmas song of all time, “White Christmas.”
I also enjoyed the song, “Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun,” with Martha, Betty, and Judy, which is kind of an anti-depressant for a failed relationship.
One of my absolute favorite songs is the sweet lullaby, “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.”
“When I’m worried and I can’t sleep,
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings.”
A perfect song to end a wonderful show. Do see this lovely and timeless new production of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.”

IRVING BERLIN'S 'WHITE CHRISTMAS'

Four Stars
Theater: The William H. Mortensen Hall at the Bushnell Memorial Center
Location: 166 Capitol Ave. Hartford
Production: Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. Book by David Ives and Paul Blake, based on the Paramount film written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank. Directed by Norb Joerder. Choreography by Randy Skinner. Musical direction by John Visser. Set design and adaptation by Kenneth Foy. Costume design by Carrie Robbins. Lighting design by Ken Billington.
Running time: 2 ½ hours including one 15-minute intermission
Show Times: Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 6:30 p.m., with matinee performances Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m., through Sunday.
Tickets: From $17 to $75. Call 860-987-5900 or visit their website at www.bushnell.org.
ACTOR…CHARACTER
John Scherer …. Bob Wallace
Denis Lambert … Phil Davis
Shannon M. O’Bryan … Judy Haynes
Amy Bodner … Betty Haynes
Ruth Williamson … Martha Watson
Gianna LePera and Mary Peeples … Susan Waverly
Erick Devine … General Henry Waverly