Irving Berlin'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, the stage adaptation of the beloved classic film, has announced casting for its National Tour visiting Omaha, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, East Lansing, St. Louis, Louisville and Kansas City in the 2009 holiday season.
The show will feature Stephen Bogardus as "Bob Wallace," David Elder as "Phil Davis," Kerry O'Malley as "Betty Haynes," and Megan Sikora as "Judy Haynes" in the principal roles. Also appearing are Lorna Luft as "Martha Watson," John Antony as "Ralph Sheldrake," Tom Deckman as "Mike Nulty," Barry Flatman as "General Waverly," Richard Pruitt as "Ezekial Foster," and Sarah Safer as "Susan Waverly" and Camille Mancuso the understudy for "Susan Waverly." Rounding out the cast are Jacob ben Widmar, Scott Brateng, Barry Busby, Abbie Cooper, Melinda Cowan, Brandon Davidson, Lianne Marie Dobbs, Steven Donahue, Jenny Florkowski, Kristen Gaetz, Chad Harlow, Karen Hyland, Megan Hart Jimenez, Matthew Kirk, Lisa Ramey, Tory Ross, Melissa WolfKlain, Lois Enders, Billy Griffin, Emily Morgan and Dennis O'Bannion.
Irving Berlin'S WHITE CHRISTMAS tells the story of two showbiz buddies putting on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn, and finding their perfect mates in the bargain. Full of dancing, romance, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written, including "Count Your Blessings," Happy Holiday," "Sisters," "Blue Skies," and the unforgettable title song, Irving Berlin'S WHITE CHRISTMAS promises to be a merry and bright experience for the entire family!
In its 2008 Broadway debut, the New York Times said "this cozy trip down memory lane should be put on your wish list." And, the New York Daily News hailed Irving Berlin'S WHITE CHRISTMAS as "a holiday card come to life." A production of the show will also appear on Broadway this season at the Marquis Theatre for 61 performances only from November 13, 2009 thru January 3, 2010.
The timeless holiday favorite debuts in a new Anniversary Edition DVD November 3, 2009 featuring an enchanting array of new bonus material including, White Christmas: From Page to Stage - The legacy of White Christmas continues with a hit Broadway musical.
Irving Berlin'S WHITE CHRISTMAS is directed by Tony Award® winner Walter Bobbie (Chicago, Sweet Charity), features a book by David Ives and Paul Blake, choreography by Randy Skinner(42nd Street) who was nominated for a Tony Award® for this production, set design by Anna Louizos (Avenue Q, In The Heights), costumes by Carrie Robbins (A Class Act), lighting design by Ken Billington (The Drowsy Chaperone, Annie), sound design by Acme Sound Partners, orchestrations by Larry Blank, also nominated for a Tony Award® for this production, vocal and additional arrangements by Bruce Pomahac, music direction by Rob Berman, and casting by Jay Binder C.S.A.
Irving Berlin'S WHITE CHRISTMAS is produced by Kevin McCollum, Paul Blake, The Producing Office, Dan Markely and Sonny Everett in association with Paramount Pictures. The stage production is based on the Paramount Pictures film, written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank.
Tony Award® nominee Stephen Bogardus (Love! Valour! Compassion!) reprises the role of song and dance man "Bob Wallace" which he created on Broadway in 2008. He also played the role in the St. Paul and Boston companies of Irving Berlin's White Christmas and appeared on Broadway in Old Acquaintance, Man of La Mancha, James Joyce's The Dead, High Society, King David, Falsettos, Grapes of Wrath, Les Misérables and West Side Story.
Kerry O'Malley returns as "Betty Haynes," one-half of the beautiful and talented sister act that teams up with Bob and Phil. She created the role on Broadway in 2008 and played the role in Boston and St. Paul with Stephen Bogardus. She is best known to New York audiences for her portrayal of the Baker's Wife in the Broadway revival of Into the Woods, for which she received Drama Desk and Outer Critic's Circle Award nominations, and has also appeared in Annie Get Your Gun, Cyrano, Translations and at City Center Encores! in Promises, Promises. She can currently be seen starring in the third season of the Showtime series "Brotherhood."
David Elder will play the charismatic ladies' man "Phil Davis," a role he played last season in the Detroit production. He has appeared on Broadway in Curtains; 42nd Street; Kiss Me, Kate; Titanic; Once Upon A Mattress; Damn Yankees; Beauty and the Beast; and Guys and Dolls
Megan Sikora will play Betty's younger sister "Judy Haynes." She also starred in the role last season in the Detroit production with David Elder. She was most recently seen on Broadway in Curtains as Bambi Bernet for which she received an LA Ovation nomination.
Lorna Luft will appear in the role of "Martha Watson," General Waverly's right-hand woman. She starred in the same role in the 2006 UK production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas: The Musical. She has appeared on Broadway in Promises, Promises and Judy Garland: At Home at the Palace and in the National Tour of Guys and Dolls.
John Antony returns to the role of Bob and Phil's former Army buddy "Ralph Sheldrake" after playing it the 2007 and 2005 productions in Boston and 2006 St. Paul production.
Tom Deckman returns to the role of Columbia Inn's neurotic stage manager "Mike Nulty." He previously played the role in the 2005 San Francisco production.
Barry Flatman will play "General Henry Waverly," Bob and Phil's former commanding officer and proprietor of the Vermont inn. He returns to the role he played last season in the St. Paul production and in the 2007 Toronto engagement.
Richard Pruitt reprises the role he played in the 2008 and 2006 St. Paul productions and 2007 and 2005 Boston productions as the Columbia Inn stage hand "Ezekiel Foster."
Sarah Safer reprises the role of General Henry Waverly's precocious granddaughter "Susan Waverly" after appearing in last season's Detroit production. She has also toured with Whistle Down the Wind and performed with The Broadway Kids.
CAMILLE MANCUSO will make her Irving Berlin's White Christmas debut as the understudy for "Susan Waverly" fresh off the First National Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
For more information on Irving Berlin'S WHITE CHRISTMAS,
visit www.whitechristmasthemusical.com.
