You Don't Have to Dream to Have a White Christmas

There is a 100 percent chance of snow at in the coming days as the San Marin Musical Theater Workshop presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

Based on the beloved, timeless film, this heartwarming musical adaptation features 17 Irving Berlin songs and a book by David Ives and Paul Blake performed by a San Marin theater workshop company of 72 people. The dazzling score features many well known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial favorite, “White Christmas.”

As in the 1954 film, the musical tells the story of Army veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis and their successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander.

Honoring the service and sacrifices that U.S. service men and women make for their country is an important theme in White Christmas, and in this production veterans and current members of the U.S. military in the audience will be acknowledged as well.

“White Christmas is about what happens after a war, the return to civilian life, and the bonds and debts that never can be repaid,” show director Patrick Nims said.

White Christmas has a cast of 34 students, 23 technicians and crew and a 15-piece orchestra. Musical Theater Workshop includes students from every department of San Marin’s Performing and Fine Arts programs. Many parts are double cast to increase student opportunity.

Among the cast, Elliot Hanson plays Bob Wallace and Cameron McNally and Justin Simonetti split time playing Phil Davis. Melissa Hart and Nina Kao play Betty Haynes and Corrin Dove and Anna Mazzariello play her sister Judy Haynes. Thomas Boeck plays General Waverly and Adrienne Nichelini and Sarah Marthinsen play his housekeeper, Martha Watson.

“Irving Berlin’s songs are the heart of the show,” Nims  added, “and every number of the production shows why they are the crown jewels of the American songbook.”

In a departure from San Marin’s normal scheduling, San Marin Music Director and show producer Samantha Maaslehbrown decided to present White Christmas in December and a short run instead of the normal October timeslot. A Saturday matinee and a Monday night performance were added to the normal Thursday/Friday/Saturday night and Sunday matinee performance schedule.

“It was impossible to resist putting on White Christmas in December,” Maaslehbrown said.

Advance ticket purchase is recommended ... San Marin shows frequently sell out and White Christmas is not to be missed. Tickets can be purchased at the San Marin High School front office and at www.BrownPaperTickets.com.

In addition to Nims and Maaslehbrown, Emily Gates handles vocal direction and Kate Kenyon is the choreographer.  

THE DETAILS

White Christmas performance times:

Thursday, Dec. 1 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 2 — 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 3 — 2 and 8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 4 — 2 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 5 — 7:30 p.m..

All shows are at the Emily Gates Student Center on the campus, 15 San Marin Drive. Tickets for students and children are $7 in advance and $10 at the door.  Tickets for adults are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.