âLET YOURSELF GO!â – Irving Berlin
âIRVING BERLINâS WHITE CHRISTMASâ
ANNOUNCES PRINCIPAL CASTING
JAMES CLOW, MELISSA ERRICO, TONY YAZBECK, MARA DAVI
 STAR ON BROADWAY
ALSO STARRING
RUTH WILLIAMSON, PETER REARDON, REMY AUBERJONOIS,
CLIFF BEMIS, MADELEINE ROSE YEN and DAVID OGDEN STIERS
Previews Begin Friday, November 13, 2009
Limited Engagement – 61 Performances Only – through January 3, 2010
The Tony AwardÂŽ nominated hit musical IRVING BERLINâS WHITE CHRISTMAS, the stage reinvention of the beloved classic film, directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Randy Skinner, with music supervision by Rob Berman, is pleased to announce Broadway principal casting.
James Clow, Melissa Errico, Tony Yazbeck and Mara Davi will star in the Broadway return production also starring Ruth Williamson, Peter Reardon, Remy Auberjonois, Cliff Bemis, Madeleine Yen and David Ogden Stiers, who will lead a cast of 33 in the limited holiday engagement at the Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway).
Every holiday season, audiences of all ages enjoy the uplifting story of White Christmas. Now, the Tony AwardÂŽ nominated Broadway musical IRVING BERLINâS WHITE CHRISTMAS has become New Yorkâs newest holiday tradition.
Previews begin Friday, November 13, 2009 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 3, 2010.
The musical tells the story of two showbiz buddies who put on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn, and find their perfect mates in the bargain. Full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written, IRVING BERLINâS WHITE CHRISTMAS is a merry and bright theatrical experience for the entire family.
JAMES CLOW will star as song and dance man âBob Wallace,â the role made famous by Bing Crosby in the classic 1954 film. He starred in the role last season in the Detroit production at the Fox Theater and has appeared in the Broadway musicals Assassins, Wonderful Town, Company, She Loves Me and Blood Brothers.
MELISSA ERRICO will play âBetty Haynes,â one-half of the beautiful and talented sister act that teams up with Bob and Phil. She received TonyÂŽ, Drama Desk, Outer Criticâs Circle and Drama League nominations for her starring role in Amour and has also appeared on Broadway in Dracula, My Fair Lady, High Society and Anna Karenina.
TONY YAZBECK will play Mr. Clowâs army buddy, the charismatic ladiesâ man âPhil Davis,â a role he played in the 2007 Toronto holiday engagement of the musical. He also appeared on Broadway in the recent revival of Gypsy starring Patti LuPone, A Chorus Line and in On the Town for City Center Encores!Â
MARA DAVI will play Bettyâs younger sister âJudy Haynesâ after starring in the role last season in the St. Paul production at the Ordway Center. She recently starred in the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line, as âJanet Van de Graaffâ in The Drowsy Chaperone, and in the title role in No, No Nanette for City Center Encores!
RUTH WILLIAMSON will play âMartha Watson,â General Waverlyâs right-hand woman, a role she will return to after first playing it in Los Angeles in 2005 and again in St. Paul in 2006. She recently starred in the Broadway revival of La Cage Aux Folles.
PETER REARDON returns to the role of Bob and Philâs former Army buddy âRalph Sheldrakeâ from last seasonâs original Broadway company. He has also appeared on Broadway in Urinetown, Passion, Meet Me in St. Louis and La Cage Aux Folles.Â
REMY AUBERJONOIS will make his Irving Berlinâs White Christmas debut in the role of Columbia Innâs neurotic stage manager âMike Nulty.â He has appeared on Broadway in Frost/Nixon and The Country Girl.
CLIFF BEMIS appeared in last seasonâs original Broadway company as the Columbia Inn stage hand âEzekiel Foster,â a role he originated in the world premiere of Irving Berlinâs White Christmas in 2004. He also recently starred in the first national tour of The Drowsy Chaperone as âFeldzieg.â
MADELEINE ROSE YEN makes her Broadway debut and returns to the role of General Henry Waverlyâs precocious granddaughter âSusan Waverlyâ following appearing in last seasonâs Detroit production at the Fox Theater. She plays âMilliâ in the upcoming Nickelodeon cartoon series âUmizoomi,â and recently appeared at Carnegie Hall as âAnnaâ in the concert presentation of the musical Kristina.
DAVID OGDEN STIERS will play âGeneral Henry Waverly,â Bob and Philâs former commanding officer and proprietor of the Vermont inn. The Emmy AwardÂŽ nominated actor, widely known to television audiences as âMajor Charles Winchesterâ from the iconic series âM*A*S*H,â returns to the role he played in the 2005 Los Angeles production at the Pantages Theatre, the 2006 St. Paul company at the Ordway Center, and last seasonâs Detroit company at the Fox Theater. He has appeared on Broadway in the The Magic Show, Ulysses in Nighttown and Scapin.
Additional casting will be announced shortly.
IRVING BERLINâS WHITE CHRISTMAS made its celebrated Broadway debut at the Marquis Theatre last season following acclaimed productions around the country. The New York critics stuffed the lavish musicalâs stocking full of praise! The New York Times said âThis cozy trip down memory lane should be put on your wish list,â Variety raved âA thrill. Melodious numbers, sparkling visuals and an enchanting snow-biz finaleâ and NY-1 News proclaimed the musical âThe perfect gift! Dazzling choreography and glorious tunes.â
IRVING BERLINâS WHITE CHRISTMAS is produced by Kevin McCollum, John Gore, Tom McGrath, Paul Blake, The Producing Office, Dan Markley, Sonny Everett and Broadway Across America in association with Paramount Pictures.
IRVING BERLINâS WHITE CHRISTMAS is directed by Tony AwardÂŽ winner and three-time nominee Walter Bobbie (Chicago, Footloose, A Grand Night for Singing), with a book by David Ives and Paul Blake and choreography by three-time Tony AwardÂŽ nominee Randy Skinner (Irving Berlinâs White Christmas, 42nd Street, Ainât Broadway Grand).
Set design is by Tony AwardÂŽ nominee Anna Louizos (In the Heights, Avenue Q), costumes by Tony AwardÂŽ nominee Carrie Robbins (Grease!, Over Here), lighting design by Tony AwardÂŽ winner Ken Billington (Chicago, The Drowsy Chaperone, Annie), sound design by Tony AwardÂŽ nominee Acme Sound Partners (In the Heights, Spamalot), orchestrations by Tony AwardÂŽ nominee Larry Blank (Irving Berlinâs White Christmas, The Drowsy Chaperone), vocal and dance arrangements by Bruce Pomahac, music supervision by Rob Berman, and casting by Jay Binder C.S.A. The stage production is based on the Paramount Pictures film, written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank.
Many Irving Berlin classics are showcased in the new production, including âCount Your Blessings,â âSisters,â âHow Deep is the Oceanâ and the unforgettable title song, âWhite Christmas.â
This production of IRVING BERLINâS WHITE CHRISTMAS will also embark on a national tour this holiday season, bringing the spirit of love, charity, and song to Omaha, Nebraska; Cincinnati, Ohio; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; East Lansing, Michigan; St. Louis, Missouri; Louisville, Kentucky and Kansas City, Missouri for all to enjoy. For tour information visit www.whitechristmasthemusical.com.
IRVING BERLINâS WHITE CHRISTMAS made its world premiere stage debut during the 2004 holiday season in San Francisco at the Curran Theater, garnering rave reviews and establishing its status as a donât-miss holiday show.
BIOGRAPHIES
JAMES CLOW (Bob Wallace) New York Credits include: Madison Square Garden: Peter Pan, Broadway: Assassins, Wonderful Town, Company, She Loves Me, Blood Brothers. City Center Encores!: A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. Off-Broadway: Marc Blitzsteinâs Juno. National Tours: Les MisĂŠrables, Jekyll and Hyde, Oklahoma!, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar and Into The Woods. PBSâ âGreat Performances â Sondheim a Celebration at Carnegie Hall,â and the 2005 Emmy Award-winning âLive from Lincoln Center – Passion.â BFA from Syracuse University, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts and Groundlings Improv in Los Angeles.
MELISSA ERRICO (Betty Haynes) is beyond delighted to return to Broadway where she has starred in Michel Legrand’s Amour (2003 Tony AwardÂŽ nomination, Outer Critics nomination, Drama League Honor), My Fair Lady (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Helen Hayes nominations), High Society (Drama Desk, Outer Critics nominations, Drama League Honor), Christopher Hampton’s Dracula, Anna Karenina, Les MisĂŠrables (national tour). She starred in The Kennedy Center Sondheim Celebration’s Sunday in the Park with George (âDot/Marie,â Helen Hayes nomination).  Leading roles in Off-Broadway plays include the hit revival of Wally Shawn’s Aunt Dan and Lemon (New Group) with Lili Taylor. As a member of The Irish Repertory Theatre, she starred in The Importance of Being Earnest (Drama Desk nomination), Major Barbara (Drama League Honor) and the runaway hit Finianâs Rainbow (2004 Drama League Honor), a performance that earned her the moniker “the voice of enchantment” from the New York Times.  The production transferred to another hit run at The Westport Country Playhouse, and was recorded for Ghostlight Records. City Center Encores!: Call Me Madam (with Tyne Daly), and critical acclaim for her portrayal of âthe Goddessâ in Kurt Weill’s One Touch of Venus (Lucille Lortel Award). Williamstown: The Threepenny Opera (with Betty Buckley). The Hollywood Bowl (2004-2006): My Fair Lady (with John Lithgow and Roger Daltrey), Camelot (with Jeremy Irons) and The Sound of Music (with Marni Nixon/John Schneider). Film includes Frequency, Life or Something Like It (opposite Angelina Jolie), Loverboy (with Kyra Sedgewick, directed by Kevin Bacon) and Mockingbird Donât Sing (Lifetime). TV includes âCentral Park West,â âEd,â âLaw & Order,â âMiss Match.â Graduate of Yale. Concert stages include: The London Palladium, Avery Fisher, Wolf Trap, The Kennedy Center Opera House, Feinsteins, Guild Hall. Debut album: Blue Like That (EMI), followed by 2008’s acclaimed Lullabies and Wildflowers (Velour/Universal. Melissa is the proud Mama of three very little girls: three-year-old Victoria and 9-month old twins Diana and Juliette; and lives in NYC with her husband Patrick McEnroe. She is the founder of The Bowery Babes, a NY=2 0non-profit mothers support group in New York City with over 700 members.
In recent years, Melissa has begun to establish herself as a soloist with symphonies all over the world, having appeared with The Royal Philharmonic in her London debut, The Cleveland Orchestra, The New World Symphony and repeatedly with The National Symphony at The Kennedy Center, and dozens more. She has had the honor of working with esteemed conductors such as Michael Tilson Thomas, Michel Legrand, Marvin Hamlisch, Don Pippin, John Mauceri and Paul Gemignani. She has shown herself to be an eclectic solo artist, as this career turn follows several years of working with her jazz-based band at such venues as Birdland, Joes Pub, The Living Room, Dizzy’s at Lincoln Center, The Oak Room at the Algonquin and The Cafe Carlyle, and the release of two pop-jazz-folk recordings: “Blue Like That” produced by the legendary Arif Mardin, and “Lullabies and Wildflowers,” produced by Rob Mathes (2008). Her third cd is recorded and in final mixing stages: a CD arranged, conducted and conceived by Michel Legrand and produced by Phil Ramone, with a 100-piece symphony in Brussels and featuring Legrand’s Oscar-winning songs and new material written for Melissa by Legrand and Alan/Marilyn Bergman.
TONY YAZBECK (Phil Davis) recently completed his run as âTulsaâ in Gypsy on Broadway receiving an Outer Critics Circle nomination for his performance. He also recently starred as âGabeyâ in On the Town at City Center Encores! Other Broadway credits include âAlâ in A Chorus Line, Never Gonna Dance, Oklahoma!, and Gypsy with Tyne Daly. Off-Broadway credits include âCharlesâ in Fanny Hill at the York and the City Center Encores! productions of Pardon My English, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Apple Tree, and Gypsy. Tony has toured nationally with Thoroughly Modern Millie, Annie Get Your Gun, and Doctor Doolittle. Tony starred as âPhil Davisâ in Irving Berlinâs White Christmas in Toronto. Other regional theatre includes âWally Winston/M. Doucetâ in Animal Crackers at The Goodman Theatre, âTonyâ in West Side Story at Trinity Rep., âBobbyâ in Crazy For You at Maine State, and âTonyâ in Copacabana at Pittsburgh CLO. He has appeared on television in âAll My Childrenâ and âAs the World Turnsâ and is presently in the feature film documentary Every Little Step.
MARA DAVI (Judy Haynes). Broadway: The Drowsy Chaperone (Janet Van de Graaff), A Chorus Line (Maggie Winslow, Original Revival Cast).  New York:  No, No Nanette  (Nanette) and Of Thee I Sing (Miss Emily Benson) both at City Center Encores!   Regional: Animal Crackers (Arabella Rittenhouse/Mrs. Whitehead) Goodman Theatre, Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie Dillmount) Sacramento Music Circus, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at The Ordway, St. Paul, Originated the role of Gabrielle Gerard in Dancing in the Dark  (The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego), Tour:  42nd Street (Peggy Sawyer), Japan and North America.  Workshop:  The Bandwagon (Gabrielle Gerard), Mara has performed her solo concerts for Birdland, Ars Nova and with The Lyrica Chamber Orchestra.  Website:  www.maradavi.com.
RUTH WILLIAMSON (Martha Watson) appeared in Irving Berlinâs White Christmas in Los Angeles in 2005 and the 2006 St. Paul holiday engagement. Broadway: La Cage Aux Folles, The Music Man (Outer Critics Circle nomination), Epic Proportions, Little Me, Guys and Dolls, Smile, Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Annie. Off-Broadway: MTCâs The Green Heart (Drama Desk nomination), MCCâs The English Teachers, Queen Amarantha, The Good Times Are Killing Me, The Leonard Bernstein Revue, DuBarry Was a Lady (City Center Encores!). Film: Legally Blonde II; Easy Six; Family Man; Malcolm X; Foreign Student; Die Mommie, Die (singing VO); Psycho Beach Party; Double Parked; Italian Movie. TV: “The O.C.,” “The Practice,” “Kingpin,” “ER,” “What I Like About You,” “Enterprise,” “Law & Order,” “Wonderland,” “Chestnut Hill” (NBC pilot) and recurs as Mrs. Grubman on “Nip/Tuck.”
PETER REARDON (Ralph Sheldrake) played the same role in last seasonâs original Broadway company. He has also appeared on Broadway in Urinetown, Passion, Meet Me in St. Louis and La Cage Aux Folles. National Tours: Ragtime, Falsettos, Company. Film: An Englishman in New York, Never Again. Television: âSex and the City,â âMiracle’s Boys,â âAll My Children,â âAnother World.â Recently played âLorenzo de Ponteâ in Lorenzo at NYMF and âThe Padreâ in Man of La Mancha at Sacramento Music Circus.
REMY AUBERJONOIS (Mike Nulty). Broadway: Frost/Nixon, The Country Girl. New York: Atlantic Theater, the Public, Primary Stages, Studio Dante, Rattlestick, Soho Rep, EST, HERE and others. Regional: Williamstown Festival, Yale Rep, the Old Globe, McCarter, Dallas Theater Center, the Taper and more. TV includes âLaw & Order,â âWeeds,â âMad Men,â âCriminal Intent,â âSVU,â âThe Sopranos,â âSex and the City,â âER.â Film: Michael Clayton and others.
CLIFF BEMIS (Ezekial Foster) appeared in last seasonâs original Broadway company in the role which he also originated in the world premiere of Irving Berlinâs White Christmas in 2004. He starred in the first National tour of The Drowsy Chaperone as âFeldzieg,â and can be seen on the big screen as Dr. Mordecai Ham in Billy, The Early Years. Proud member of Actor’s Equity since 1968.Â
MADELEINE ROSE YEN (Susan Waverly). Struck by the theater bug when she made her debut in A Midsummer Nightâs Dream at age 8, Madeleine has also appeared as Jessie in Annie Get Your Gun, Peter Pan in Peter Pan and Beauty and the Beast. She plays âMilliâ in the upcoming Nickelodeon cartoon series âUmizoomi,â and recently appeared at Carnegie Hall as âAnnaâ in the concert presentation of the musical Kristina.
DAVID OGDEN STIERS (General Henry Waverly). Disney Voices: Lilo and Stitch, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame; Spirited Away TV: Six years on M*A*S*H as Major Winchester (two Emmy nominations), NBC Miniseries First Modern Olympics (Emmy nomination); USA Cable Series The Dead Zone, Stargate: Atlantis, North and South, The Final Days, Star Trek: The Next Generation. Film: The Majestic; The Curse of the Jade Scorpion; Better Off Dead; The Accidental Tourist; Doc Hollywood; Bad Company; Mighty Aphrodite; Together Again for the First Time. Broadway: Ulysses in Nighttown (with Zero Mostel), The Magic Show, Beauty and the Beast Mr. Stiers has conducted numerous symphony orchestras including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago. He is the Associate Conductor of the Newport Symphony Orchestra and the Ernest Bloch Music Festival in Newport, OR.
TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets prices are $66.50, $91.50 and $126.50 (including $1.50 facility fee), and are available by calling Ticketmaster at 212-307-4100 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. A date will be announced for the Marquis Theatre box office (1535 Broadway) opening. For group sales details and pricing call The Group Sales Box Office at 800-223-7565 or visit www.bestofbroadway.com.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Beginning Friday, November 13th, 2009, IRVING BERLINâS WHITE CHRISTMAS will play the following unique performance schedule per week:
Week of November 9th, 2009:
Friday & Saturday at 8p, Sunday evening at 7p
Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2p.
Week of November 16th, 2009:
Thursday â Saturday at 8p, Tuesday & Sunday evenings at 7p
Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2p
Week of November 23rd, 2009:
Tuesday at 7p, Wednesday â Saturday at 8p
Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2p
Week of November 30th, 2009:
Thursday â Saturday at 8p, Tuesday & Sunday evenings at 7p
Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2p
Weeks of December 7th and December 14th, 2009:
Tuesday at 7p, Thursday â Saturday at 8p
Wednesday & Friday â Sunday matinees at 2p
Week of December 21st, 2009:
Monday, Wednesday & Saturday at 8p, Tuesday & Sunday evenings at 7p
Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2p
Dark on Christmas Day â Friday, December 25
Week of December 28th, 2009:
Monday, Wednesday & Saturday at 8p, Tuesday at 7p
Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2p
Dark on New Yearâs Eve & Day â Thursday, December 31 & Friday, January 1
FINAL PERFORMANCE – Sunday, January 3, 2010
For More Information Visit: www.whitechristmasbroadway.com
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