Theater Review of White Christmas
3 out of 4 Stars
As far as holiday entertainment goes, “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” easily wins our vote for the most professional and crowd-pleasing show in an overstuffed genre that includes “The Radio City Christmas Spectacular,” “Wintuk,” “A Christmas Carol,” “The Nutcracker” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
Based on the 1954 movie musical with Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney and Danny Kaye, “White Christmas” has received numerous regional productions over the past four years. Though it is only playing Broadway for two months, it might very well become an annual tradition.
The story revolves around two army pals turned song-and-dance team who stage a revue at a Vermont inn owned by their former general in order to save the place from bank foreclosure. In other words, it reverts to the classic “hey gang, let’s put on a show” and boy-meets-girl formulas.
As stylishly directed by Walter Bobbie, the production looks and moves like an antiquated musical comedy, complete with blackouts in between scenes, corny jokes and innocent misunderstandings.
Besides the title song, “White Christmas” actually has very little to do with Christmas. It is really about celebrating the songs of Irving Berlin. Its score includes such timeless Berlin classics as “Let Yourself Go,” “I Love a Piano” and “Blue Skies” all played by a superb 24-piece orchestra. David Ives and Paul Blake’s book seamlessly blends these songs into the paper-thin but coherent plot.
The show’s other main asset is the fabulous tap-dance and ballroom choreography of Randy Skinner, paying homage to the movie musicals of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Busby Berkeley and Gene Kelly.
Stephen Bogardus, playing the lead role of Bob Wallace, displays matinee idol looks and genuine charm. Also excellent are Kerry O’Malley, Jeffry Denman and Meredith Patterson.
So while “White Christmas” is not the most artistically ambitious show on Broadway this year, it feels absolutely lovely to allow its old-fashioned entertainment and generous spirit wash all over you like a giant flurry of snow.
Marquis Theatre, 1535 Broadway, 212-307-4100, $66-121. Tues 7pm, Wed 2 & 8pm, Thurs 8pm, Fri-Sat 2 & 8pm, Sun 2 & 7pm. Thru Jan 4.
