Category: 5th Avenue Theatre

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Irving Berlin’s White Christmas musical at The 5th Avenue Theatre complete with an audience singalong at the end. Starring Ashley Day & the rich-voiced Cayman Ilika. Showcasing a diverse repertoire of choreography in an old-timey glamour showbiz standards motif. #whiteChristmas

Synopsis from the Theatre: Based on the beloved, timeless film, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas comes just in time for the holiday season. After World War II, two veterans, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, begin a successful song and dance act, following two singing sisters to their Christmas gig at a Vermont resort lodge. With classic standards such as the titular hit, “Sisters,” “Snow,” “Blue Skies,” and “I Love a Piano,” White Christmas is a stirring and delightful musical that stands the test of time

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 12/1/23 – See my previous preview posts here.

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set?: No

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but I wonder if you’d appreciate the show more if you saw the original film. I didn’t see the original film, but I enjoyed the live show.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Equity Actors: All

Total Number of Actors: Too many to count

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium Speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

Was there an intermission? Yes

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Yes

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

• Music and Orchestra: From the NYC-like swinging jazzy overture hook, I knew the orchestra and score would be fabulous in this show.
• Choreography: This musical was heavy on dance. I was thrilled to discover that my favorite dance modality (tap dancing) filled this show. “Blue Skies” featured clean, tight choreography with a touch of Fosse. Additionally, the dancers in “I Love a Piano” showcased good dance synchronicity. There was also an earlier number in the first act with a little Latin flair.
• Rich Voices: Cayman Ilika (as Betty Haynes) has such a rich, developed voice with a slight transatlantic accent quality. It was immediately distinctly noticeable in her first number “Love and the Weather.” I also didn’t know that Candice Song Donehoo (as Martha Watson) could belt it until she sang “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy.” Unfortunately, her previous role in Cinderella didn’t allow her to show off her pipes like she could in White Christmas.
• Snow: Snow wasn’t isolated to just the stage. It also fell throughout the audience. They must spend a lot of time vacuuming after every performance!
• Favorite Lines:
  • While holding her boobs, Betty said, “Am I lopsided?”
  • “Put up a show in 5 days? Why not. They say God took a week.”
  • “I told you to work on the second chorus, not the second chorus girl.”
  • “I will just go to my dressing room and have a scene”

Rant(s)

• Theatre Temperature: Just like in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s December show last year The Wiz, the theatre was freezing! I overheard audience members behind me mention the same thing. I ended up wearing my wool coat and gloves during the performance. For tickets that can cost upwards of $200, I imagine one of the premium seats could pay the heating bill for one night!

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

• Holiday Inn: The premise in White Christmas is so similar to Holiday Inn that it’s almost lazy writing and I felt a little cheated. It’s akin to how Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas movies blatantly reuse the same old formula with a dash of weak plot conflict. That being said, I enjoyed both shows and I’d see either one again. Plus, I wouldn’t fault the musical’s book author too much since they were just basing the shows on the original films.
• Christmas Tree: Why was the Christmas tree moving during “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)?” I kept wondering if someone would jump out for comic relief … which would have been leftfield for a touching scene!
• Zac Efron: Is it just me or does Ashley Day look like Zac Efron?

Theatre Company: The Fifth Avenue Theatre

Venue: The Fifth Avenue Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 1308 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Price: Medium to Expensive

Tickets: https://www.5thavenue.org/shows/2023-2024/irving-berlin-s-white-christmas/

Ticket Affordability Options: The 5th Avenue Theatre often partners with organizations you’re affiliated with for discount tickets. For example, they sometimes offer a discount for my employer affiliation.

Dates: November 25 to December 24, 2023

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: When I don’t walk to the theatre or park on the street, I park in the paid garage at the Motif Hotel northwest of the theatre. The entrance is on 5th Ave. Do NOT park in the Hilton garage (entrance on 6th Ave). That’s where most of the audience (and I think the subscribers) parks, so it’s a nightmare to leave. However, the Hilton garage is the closest garage to the theatre and you can access the theatre through a tunnel if you want to avoid the elements. But, in my opinion, this benefit is not worth the time wasted leaving the garage.

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Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

• https://www.5thavenue.org/shows/2023-2024/irving-berlin-s-white-christmas/
• Program

Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures under video and in video by Tracy Martin and Mark Kitaoka.

@showsiveseen @Irving Berlin's "White #Christmas" #musical at @The 5th Avenue Theatre complete with an audience singalong at the end. Starring Ashley Day & the rich-voiced @Cayman Ilika. Showcasing a diverse repertoire of choreography in an old-timey glamour showbiz standards motif. Review: showsiveseen.com/7598 #whiteChristmas #xmas #theatre #showsiveseen #irvingBerlin ♬ White Christmas – Michael Bublé

Role	Name
Bob Wallace	Ashley Day
Phil Davis	Phillip Attmore
Ralph Sheldrake	Brandon O’Neill
General Henry Waverly	Reginald André Jackson
Ed Sullivan Announcer	Ty Willis
Tessie	Cristin J. Hubbard
Rita	Ania Briggs
Rhoda	Trina Mills
Jimmy	Eric Polani Jensen
Betty Haynes	Cayman Ilika
Judy Haynes	Taryn Darr
Quintet	Cristin J. Hubbard Eric Polani Jensen Charlie Johnson Trina Mills Brandon O’Neill
Train Conductor	John David Scott
Mr. Snoring Man	Ty Willis
Mrs. Snoring Man	Cristin J. Hubbard
Martha Watson	Candice Song Donehoo
Susan Waverly	Beatrice Cramer, Gia Pellegrini
Ezekiel	Sean G. Griffin
Mike	Ty Willis
Regency Room Dancers	Davione Gordon Charlie Johnson Rico Lastrapes Jonathan Luke Stevens
Ensemble	Ania Briggs Kristin Burch Davione Gordon Cristin J. Hubbard Eric Polani Jensen, Charlie Johnson Ashley Lanyon Rico Lastrapes Trina Mills Richard Peacock John David Scott Jonathan Luke Stevens Katy Tabb Jaclyn Wheatley Carolyn Willems Van Dijk Shelby Willis
Bob Wallace Underestudy	Michael Sharon
Phil Davis Understudy	Cayel Tregeagle
General Henry Waverly Understudy	Ty Willis
Ralph Understudy	John David Scott
Betty Haynes Understudy	Miranda Antoinette
Judy Haynes Understudy	Mallory Cooney King
Mr. Snoring Man/Mike/Ed Sullivan Announcer/Ezekiel Understudy	Erlc Polani Jensen
Mrs. Snoring Man/Tessie/Quintet Understudy	Ann Cornelius
Martha Watson Understudy	Cristin J Hubbard
Swings	Maggie Darago Jordan King Katie Marshall Christopher Sweet
Dance Captain	Maggie Darago
—	—
Conductor	Beth Grimmett-Tankersley
Keyboard 1	Dwight Beckmeyer
Keyboard 2	Rebecca Smith
Bass	Todd Gowers
Drums	Alec Wilmart
Horn	Jill Jaques
Trumpet 1	Brad Allison
Trumpet 2	Richard Titterington
Trumpet 3	Michael Van Bebber
Trombone 1	Dan Marcus
Trombone 2	Keith Winkle
Trombone 3	Antonio Portela
Percussion	Paul Hansen
Reed 1	Dane Andersen
Reed 2	Jory Tindall
Reed 3	Derek Smith
Reed 4	Lori Shepard
Reed 5	Jay Easton
Violin	Lynn Bartlett-Johnson
Cello	Christine Lee
Keyboard Coordinator	Michael Matlock
Music Assistant	Andrew Pang
Rehearsal Pianist	Dwight Beckmeyer
Rehearsal Drummer	Alec Wilmart
—	—
Directors	James A Roco and David Armstrong
Choreographer	James A. Rocco
Music Director	Matt Perri
Producing Partner	Marleen And Kenny Alhadeff
Composer and Lyricist	Irving Berlin
Orchestrations	Larry Blank
Authors	David Ives and Paul Blake
Vocal and Dance Arranger	Bruce Pomahac
Scenic Designer	Anna Louizos
Associate Director	Jimmy Shields
Costume Coordinator	Heidi Zamora
Director of Production	Joan Toggenburger
Costume Designer	Carrie Robbins
Associate Music Director/Conductor	Beth Grimmett-Tankersley
Costume Associate	Danielle Nieves
Production Manager	Ryan Gastelum
Lighting Designer	Heather Gilbert
Associate Choreographer	Maggie Darago
Associate Lighting Designer	Thorn Michaels
Technical Director	Mathew Carleton
Sound Designer	Haley Parcher
N.Y. Casting Director	Stephanie Klapper
Associate Sound Designer	Liam Steckler
Costume, Wardrobe, & Hair Director	Shannin Strom
Hair/Wig & Makeup Designer	Kelley Jordan
Seattle Casting Director	Brodrick Santeze Ryans
Assistant Hair/Wig & Makeup Designer	Juliette Lewis
Production Stage Manager	JR Welden
Assistant Stage Managers	Jamie J. Kranz Erin B. Zatloka
Swing Stage Manager	Jeffrey K. Hanson
Producing Artistic Director	Bill Berry
Managing Director	Katie Maltais
Production Assistant	Larcyn Burnett
Child Actor Guardian	Amy Jurkiewicz