Holiday Inn at St. George Musical Theater is Filled with Holiday Nostalgia and Holiday Brilliance

By Marilynn Wood

There are blue skies over St George Musical Theater’s presentation of Holiday Inn in St. George, Utah as they tap and sing their way into your heart.  With dynamic dancing, authentic comedy, and an outstanding cast, Holiday Inn will take you back to the bygone days of the 1950’s. 

Holiday Inn (the musical) is based on Holiday Inn (the film). White Christmas (the film) is loosely based on Holiday Inn (the film). Gordon Greenburg and Chad Hodge adapted the book for a new more contemporary audience in 2014 and premiered the musical in the Goodspeed Opera House and then the MUNY.  It is more of a tribute to Irving Berlin than a remake of the movie, which gives them the opportunity to incorporate Berlin favorites such as “Blue Skies,”  “Easter Parade,” and “Cheek to Cheek.”

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Jim (Connor Lee) is a singer/song writer and performer who is tired of “one night stands” and longs for a more simple life of farming.  He buys a farmhouse in Connecticut only to find out his fiancé Lila (Kelby Tyrrell) likes the bright lights, and farming just doesn’t pay the bills.  Ted, (Andy Young) Jim’s partner and dance partner to Lila, with the help of their agent, Danny (Mark Speener), lures Lila away from the quiet life to pursue a Hollywood career.   Lost and depressed, Jim is rescued by Louise (Emily Zierse), the local “fix it” woman, and Linda (Tazia Murie), the small town teacher with hidden theatrical talents of her own.  They decide to turn the failing farm into a musical theater with shows only on the holidays.

Bruce Bennett directs this awesome cast with the help of Norm Lister as Music Director and Amber Shakespeare and Tyrrellas choreographers.

Lee’s beautiful crooner voice carries you away to Bing Crosby days on songs such as “White Christmas,” and “Be Careful, It’s My Heart.”  Zierse’s easy wittiness lightens the mood and her dancing skills are highlighted with her clever bucket dance. 

 Unquestionably, the best of this production is the dancing.  The show stopper is definitely “Shaking the Blues Away.” Julie Lyman, Leslie Leonard, Scott Leonard, Miriam Hall, Maddox Thompson, Elizabeth Riddell, Allana Young, and Jenelle Young all join forces to jump ropes made of Christmas lights, play ball with Christmas ornaments, and tap in perfect timing.  “Blue Skies” was also one of my favorites.  I loved the nodding heads and floating door.  The timing is spot on and they don’t miss a beat with their tapping.  Young is total energy in “Let’s Say It with Firecrackers” as he taps and snaps his way around the room, and Murie brings both grace and vitality to the dancing.  Tyrrell is outstanding in all of her dancing and brings a little “heat” to “Heat Wave.”

Rounding out the cast in this toe-tapping production is TJ Weddington as the Radio Announcer, who has a voice that is just that good; John Blasko as the Hollywood Director; Emma Bowler, Kristileigh Hafen, and Steve Mohan as part of the ensemble; and Gideon Young and Zach Wilhemsen as the precocious bank messenger.  G. Young did a great job playing an eight-year-old going on forty.   

Costume Director Wendy Walton did a beautiful job with the colors of the show, especially on the dance sequence “Plenty to be Thankful For,” and I loved the video projections by Don Gilman, especially the last movie sequence.

The unsung heroes of all productions is the backup team.  Lighting Director Jennifer Roberts, Set Design and Propmaster Jeremy Bird, Assistant Director David Stanley, and Stage Manager Jenelle Young all do an excellent job. 

St. George Musical Theater’s production of Holiday Inn is bright, airy, and spirited.   The numerous dance numbers, fast pace, and memorable Berlin melodies makes it the feel-good show of the season.  This is the premier production of this show in St. George and should not be missed, especially if you are a Berlin lover.

St. George Musical Theater presents Holiday Inn, book byGordon Greenburg and Chad Hodge.
St. George Musical Theater, 212 N Main Street, St. George, Utah 84770
November 21, 2019 – December 21, 2019 7:30 PM  Monday, Thursday-Saturday.  Matinee December 7, 14, 2019  2:00 PM
Tickets: $19 – $23
Contact: 435-628-8755
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