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'White Christmas'
Laurie Neal as Rhoda, Jon Simmons as Phil Davis and Shannon Casey as Rita. Courtesy photo.
PUTNAM — The Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut at the Bradley Playhouse will present “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, The Musical” for three weekends starting Dec. 3.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 5, 12 and 19. Tickets are $25 for adults and $22 for seniors and students.
All seats are reserved. Reservations may be made with a major credit card online at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or by calling 860-928-7887.
The TNECT performance of White Christmas is co-directed by Tonya Leigh Brock and Madeline Jaaskela. Diane Pollard is the music director and Keri Danner is the choreographer. Dan Healy appears as Bob Wallace and Jon Simmons is Phil Davis. Playing their romantic interests are Christine Healy as Betty Haynes and Brenna Griswold as Judy Haynes. General Waverly is played by Mike Griswold, LaDelle Arnold is his concierge, Martha, and his granddaughter, Susan, is played by Sophie Marcus. They are supported by an enthusiastic singing and dancing ensemble.
For the safety of patrons, cast, crew and volunteers, The Bradley Playhouse is following the COVID protocol accepted by most local entertainment venues. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID test must be provided to gain entry, and masks must be worn at all times. For more detailed information please view our full COVID policy on the website or call 860-928-7887.
Irving Berlin wrote the music and lyrics for White Christmas, and the book was written by David Ives and Paul Blake. The show first appeared as a film in 1954, which starred Bing Crosby as Bob Wallace, Danny Kaye as Phil Davis, Rosemary Clooney as Betty Haynes and Vera-Ellen as Judy Haynes. The musical premiered in St. Louis in 2000.
After WWII, former servicemen Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song and dance act. They meet Betty and Judy Haynes, who are also singers, and follow them to their Christmas booking at an inn in Vermont, where they discover the establishment is owned by their former commanding officer, General Waverly. Business is not good, so the four decide, with the help of Martha and the General’s granddaughter, Susan, to put on a big show to draw in patrons and help the General. Of course, there is plenty of singing and dancing, with a little romance thrown in for good measure.
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