EAST LANSING, Mich. - Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," the stage adaptation of the classic film, has announced casting for its national tour, which will visit Wharton Center's Cobb Great Hall Dec. 9-13.
In the principal roles, the show will feature Stephen Bogardus as "Bob Wallace," David Elder as "Phil Davis," Kerry O'Malley as "Betty Haynes" and Megan Sikora as "Judy Haynes."
"White Christmas" tells the story of two showbiz buddies who put on a show in a Vermont inn and find their perfect mates in the process. It offers dancing, romance, laughter and songs including "Count Your Blessings," "Happy Holiday," "Sisters," "Blue Skies" and the title song "White Christmas."
In its 2008 Broadway debut, the "New York Times" said, "This cozy trip down memory lane should be put on your wish list." And the "New York Daily News" hailed "White Christmas" as "a holiday card come to life."
A production of the show will also appear on Broadway Nov. 13-Jan. 3 at the Marquis Theatre, in New York City, for 61 performances. A new anniversary edition DVD was released Nov. 3.
"White Christmas" is directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie ("Chicago," "Sweet Charity"). It features a book by David Ives and Paul Blake; choreography by Randy Skinner ("42nd Street"), who was nominated for a Tony Award for this production; set design by Anna Louizos ("Avenue Q," "In The Heights"); costumes by Carrie Robbins ("A Class Act"); lighting design by Ken Billington ("The Drowsy Chaperone," "Annie"); sound design by Acme Sound Partners; orchestrations by Larry Blank, also nominated for a Tony Award for this production; vocal and additional arrangements by Bruce Pomahac; music direction by Rob Berman; and casting by Jay Binder, C.S.A.
"White Christmas" is produced by Kevin McCollum, Paul Blake, The Producing Office, Dan Markely and Sonny Everett in association with Paramount Pictures. The stage production is based on the Paramount Pictures film, written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama and Melvin Frank.
The following individuals will also appear in the national tour of "White Christmas:" Lorna Luft as "Martha Watson," John Antony as "Ralph Sheldrake," Tom Deckman as "Mike Nulty," Barry Flatman as "General Waverly," Richard Pruitt as "Ezekial Foster," Sarah Safer as "Susan Waverly" and Camille Mancuso as the understudy for "Susan Waverly."
Rounding out the cast are Jacob Ben Widmar, Scott Brateng, Barry Busby, Abbie Cooper, Melinda Cowan, Brandon Davidson, Lianne Marie Dobbs, Steven Donahue, Jenny Florkowski, Kristen Gaetz, Chad Harlow, Karen Hyland, Megan Hart Jimenez, Matthew Kirk, Lisa Ramey, Tory Ross, Melissa WolfKlain, Lois Enders, Billy Griffin, Emily Morgan and Dennis O'Bannion.
Interviews with cast members are currently being scheduled with Bob Hoffman, who can be contacted at hoffma95@msu.edu or (517) 884-3115. For more information about "White Christmas," visit www.whitechristmathemusical.com.
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