By Hannah Cass
Although St. George seldom gets snow for the holiday season, The Stage Door’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas invites Southern Utah residents to experience the magical ideal in the classic Christmas song. So picture this: you’re out in the winter cold, bundled up to the nines. You must admit that you feel Christmas calling, but there’s definitely something missing.
Now imagine that you’re holding the most perfect, most delicious cup of peppermint hot chocolate that you’ve ever tasted. It warms your very soul and instantly puts a relaxed smile on your face with every sip. Mmm, that’s better, but something still isn’t quite right—there’s no snow in the desert of St. George. In this near-complete moment, with the cold biting your nose and ears, your winter wardrobe is wrapped around you, and your delicious hot chocolate steams in the cool air, you close your eyes and wish you could be transported to someplace that will truly awaken the magic of Christmas within you.
Unfortunately, everything remains the same when you open your eyes. You haven’t left your spot, but there is something new that you didn’t notice before. Just a block away, people are walking into the doors beside the Arrowhead Gallery. Curious, you make your way there and see the sign against the glass: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.
You peek through those doors and see the cozy lobby of the Electric Theater Center, so warm and inviting that perhaps it won’t hurt to look around; after all, you have no conflicts at the moment. Hot chocolate finished, you decide to buy a ticket and with program in hand you make your way to your seat. The newly remodeled Electric Theater is certainly a wonderful venue, and your eyes are drawn to the majestic crimson stage curtains. Moments later, the introduction music begins, and you can’t help but smile.
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas is based on the 1954 film of the same name, which was also the most successful film of that year. White Christmas centers on a talented song-and-dance duo that served in the war and a pair of talented sisters looking for their big break. Fate brings these four people together in a magical holiday adventure filled with plenty of dancing, singing, and, of course, Christmas magic.
This particular production highlights an all-star cast, featuring Brodie Perry as Bob Wallace, Brayden Morgan as Phil Davis, Melissa Ricks as Betty Haynes, Chelsea Sweaney as Judy Haynes, and Steve Campbell as General Henry Waverly. Also gracing the stage are Nicole Kimzey as Martha Watson, Kaytley Hunstman/Lilly Mae Stover as Susan, and Ronny Reusch as Ralph Sheldrake, as well as an extremely talented ensemble of passionate actors and dancers.
The Stage Door’s production of White Christmas is directed by Kelly Olsen, together with Stage Manager Theresa Olsen, Music Director Kris Barber, Costumer Emily Holt, Choreographers Brayden Morgan and Sweaney, Hair Artist Tammi Hansen, Lighting Designers Mike King and Jesika Graf Neemann, Set Helpers Gary Payne, Jeremy Bird and Tysen Bang, Tech Assistant Benjamin Bergens, and Producer/Set Designer/Box Office Manager Kerry Kimball Perry. This production team perfectly sets the stage to recreate a 1950s Christmas.
Every single individual involved in this production offers something amazing to the show. The longer you watch these passionate people, the more you realize the number of different hats many of them wear, figuratively and literally. All the dedication and effort put into the play really opened my eyes to the wonderful bond that the members of this group share with each other. I had the opportunity to speak with a few cast members and ask them what they love most about this production.
Nicole Kimzey (Martha) gave a bit of insight into the behind the scenes with the cast:
“Working on this show is a breath of fresh air, and the cast has been always positive and really enjoyable. This is my first time on the front of the curtain in a production in almost four years, and they’ve made it totally worth it.”
Caleb Christensen (Train Conductor/Ed Sullivan Show Announcer/Jimmy the Club Owner/Scooter) shared what he believes potential audience members will enjoy most about the show:
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“Something really cool about this play is that all of the cast has worked really hard to get where we are today, and a lot of them are young, but they are really good dancers and are very talented. I think a lot of people will enjoy it. There are a lot of touching moments in the show that bring people close together, and all of us strive to bring that out for the audience to feel.”
Ashlie Davenport (Rhoda/Ensemble) explained her favorite part of working on the production:
“My favorite element of the show is Brayden and Chelsea’s choreography; it’s super clean, but it looks and is super hard, and the hard thing with choreography is making sure that it’s simple enough that everyone can do it, but complex enough that it gives a ‘wow’ illusion, and we have so many ‘wow’ moments. Also, learning how to tap has been fun. I’m not much of a tapper at all, and they are teaching me how to tap one show at a time.”
If you are dreaming of a White Christmas this year, you might not have to leave Southern Utah to find it. Go to the Stage Door’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical and find Christmas spirit in St. George, and in your heart.
The Stage Door presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical, Music by Irving Berlin, Book by David Ives and Paul Blake
The Electric Theater, 68 E Tabernacle, St. George, UT 84770
December 6-16, Wednesday-Saturday 7:30 PM, Saturday 2:00 PM
Tickets:$16-21
Contact: 435-656-4407
The Stage Door Theater Facebook Page
The Stage Door’s White Christmas Facebook Event
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