Do Something Different This Holiday Season And See The Lowcountry Premier of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas—The Musical
November 11, 2010
CHARLESTON, SC – December 2010 – Footlight Players Theatre, the oldest continuously performing arts group in Charleston, is proud to present the Lowcountry premiere of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas—The Musical under the direction of the company’s own Artistic Director, Robert Ivey. This classic show is an uplifting, nostalgic story with seasonal music that will have you hoping all your Christmas’ be white.
Based on the beloved, timeless film, this heartwarming musical adaptation features seventeen Irving Berlin songs and is based on the book by David Ives and Paul Blake. White Christmas—The Musical is the story of World War II Veterans and best friends Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act. 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.
Originally premiering on Broadway in 2004, White Christmas—The Musical has gone on to be performed off Broadway and around the world; it has enjoyed successful tours in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The show returned to Broadway for a brief revival in 2009 where it earned two Tony Award nominations for Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations.
The dazzling score features well known standards including Blue Skies, I Love A Piano, How Deep Is the Ocean and the perennial favorite and Academy Award winning song, White Christmas. Also included in the score are a number of songs that were originally cut from the 1954 film.
WHITE CHRISTMAS is an uplifting musical worthy of year-round production and stars a cast of sixteen that includes Ben Pulisipher (Bob Wallace), Nick Piccola (Phil Davis), Caroline Bogel (Betty Haynes), Emily Poff (Judy Haynes), Chris Gilmer (Gen. Waverly), Jackie Helmer (Martha Watson), Elizabeth Ludlam (Susan Waverly), Gary Ludlam (Ralph Sheldrake), Maddy Chitty (Rita), Kelly McDavid (Rhoda), Austin Jur (Mike), Annie Powell (Tessie), Stephanie Woodward (Cigarette Girl/Train Passenger), Josh Woolwine (Conductor), Rebecca King (Sheldrake’s Secretary) and Steven Bryan (Ezekial Foster).
Music Director for this production is Marsha Goldsmith, newly arrived from Annapolis, Maryland who has worked with Ivey on other shows for Footlight. Jennifer Morlan is the cast Vocal Coach. Both musicians bring a plethora of experience to the Footlight stage.
Robert Ivey is Artistic Director for The Footlight Players. He studied ballet at the American Ballet Theatre School and Ballet Arts School at Carnegie Hall. His professional credits include major roles on Broadway and in Europe, and his work has earned him numerous grants and awards. He was a member of the Swedish State Theatre and Royal Norwegian Ballet for seven years. He has studied dance in Russia and pantomime in Poland on a state grant. His European tours include performances with E. G. Marshall, Sada Thompson, Ester Rolle, and Liv Ulman.
In addition to his duties as artistic director of the Robert Ivey Ballet, he is director at the Charleston Dance Studio. He has served as dancer and choreographer in residence for Brevard Music Center, and for Spoleto USA, and is currently Professor Emeritus at the School of the Arts at the College of Charleston, where his company is the Company in Residence.
Performance dates for White Christmas—The Musical are December 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 at 8:00 p.m. and December 5, 12 & 19 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults, $27 for seniors, $20 for students $15 for children 10 and under. Tickets go on-sale on Friday, November 12, 2010.
