Irving Berlin s Musical White Christmas Delivers Romance, Comedy and Holiday Cheer

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1 PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, November 19, 2012 CONTACT: Patrick Finlon, Marketing Director or Irving Berlin s Musical White Christmas Delivers Romance, Comedy and Holiday Cheer Performances Thanksgiving Weekend through December 30 (Syracuse, NY) The title song alone is a celebration and a reminder of a time when the simplest pleasures mattered most and having a big heart was genuinely considered a virtue. Two successful showmen join forces to help out their old army commander. Along the way they find, lose, and find romance, have plenty of laughs, and demonstrate what it means to be loyal. The score is filled with favorites "Happy Holiday," "Sisters," "Blue Skies," "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," and the choreography calls for plenty of tap. Based on the Paramount Pictures film, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, the Syracuse Craig Waletzko (as Phil Davis) and Denis Lambert (as Bob Wallace) rehearsing with the ensemble of White Christmas at Syracuse Stage. Stage production of White Christmas will be directed by Paul Barnes (The Miracle Worker, 2011) with musical direction by Christopher Drobny (Caroline, or Change, 2012) and choreography by David Wanstreet. White Christmas runs November 23 December 30 in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage, 820 East Genesee Street. Tickets, $30-$54 for adults and $20 for age 18 and under, are available at the Syracuse Stage Box Office, or Patrons visiting Syracuse Stage this holiday season are asked to please bring a nonperishable food item for the food pantry at Grace Episcopal Church. Suggested items: grits, pancake mix, dried beans (pinto, lima, great northern and black-eyed peas), canned vegetables (no salt added corn, green beans and peas) and spaghetti sauce. Syracuse Stage season sponsors are The Post-Standard and Time Warner Cable. Sponsors for White Christmas are Excellus, Key Bank, Hiscock & Barclay and Welch Allyn; and media sponsors are Eagle Newspapers, Syracuse.com and WCNY. White Christmas is coproduced with Syracuse University s Department of Drama (SU Drama). With 175 costumes, 900 costume pieces and 125 shoes outfitting a cast of 30, White Christmas is one of the largest and most visually spectacular productions to date at Syracuse 1

2 Stage. As with all Syracuse Stage productions, everything appearing on stage has been created by resident, local artists in the scene shop, costume shop and props shop, and in the areas of lighting and sound. Featured in the cast of White Christmas are eight professional actors with significant Broadway and regional theatre credits: Zakiya Young as Betty Haynes (Broadway: Stick Fly, The Little Mermaid; Regional: Aida at the Kauffman Center in Mo.), Denis Lambert as Bob Wallace (National Tour: Phil Davis in White Christmas; Elvis Presley in Picasso at the Lapin Agile at Syracuse Stage), Craig Waletzko as Phil Davis (Broadway and National Tours: Guys and Dolls, Young Frankenstein, Spamalot, Steel Pier and Gypsy), Mary Michael Patterson as Judy Haynes (Broadway: Hope Harcourt in Anything Goes), Mary Jo Mecca as Martha Watson (Regional: Superior Donuts at Geva Theatre Center, Little House on the Prairie at the Guthrie Theatre), John Shuman as Ezekiel Foster/Snoring Man (Broadway: La Cage Aux Folles and 13 Rue de L Amour), James Van Treuren (Broadway: The Scarlet Pimpernel; Caroline, or Change at Syracuse Stage) and Duke Lafoon as Ralph Sheldrake (It s A Wonderful Life at Westchester Broadway Theatre, Monica the Musical at Manhattan Theatre Club). A 20-member ensemble, comprised of students from Syracuse University s Department of Drama, portrays additional characters and is featured in several large-scale dance and choral numbers. Completing the cast is local, 13-year-old actress Jacqueline Baum as Susan (last seen at Syracuse Stage as Helen Keller in the 2011 production of The Miracle Worker). Directing White Christmas is Paul Barnes, who also returns to Syracuse Stage after working previously on The Miracle Worker. According to Barnes, White Christmas offers much for audiences to love. White Christmas the song, the movie, the stage play reaches an audience in many, many ways. It s a beautiful story. I m particularly drawn to it under what I think of as the two large umbrellas that encompass White Christmas. One has to do with what happened in WWII: a general who was heroic in the extreme, and now has fallen on hard times. So much of the story is about getting the men to come to his aid, which they do, said Barnes. Then the other chief story is about show business. Show business is so much a part of American life and the American ethos. This play, this musical, is a real love letter to show business. Within that there are lots of love stories between people, people finding their way to each other through song and dance. In that respect, there are so many heartwarming and uplifting elements of the story that brighten our spirits and lighten our lives. At the heart of White Christmas is the title song. White Christmas was first sung by Bing Crosby for the 1942 film Holiday Inn. Irving Berlin expected another song from the film to be the breakout hit. However, when Armed Forces Radio included White Christmas to its rotation, the song struck a chord with GI s spending their Christmas overseas. White Christmas won the 1942 Academy Award for Best Song of the Year and is the most recorded Christmas song of all time with over 500 different cover versions by varied artists such as Kenny Rogers, Babyface, Gloria Estefan, Michael Bolton, Willy Nelson, Garth Brooks, Hanson, Mandy Patinkin, Destiny s Child, Brooks & Dunn, Barbara Cook, Bette Midler, The Vienna Boys Choir and The Flaming Lips. Bing Crosby s version is considered the standard, having sold over 100 million copies worldwide. 2

3 In his 101 years, Irving Berlin wrote over 1,000 songs. Berlin s complete scores for stage include The Cocoanuts, As Thousands Cheer, Louisiana Purchase, Miss Liberty, Mr. President, Call Me Madam and Annie Get Your Gun. Hollywood movie musical scores by Berlin include Top Hat, Follow the Fleet, On the Avenue, Alexander s Ragtime Band, Holiday Inn, This is the Army, Blue Skies, Easter Parade, White Christmas and There s No Business Like Show Business. A private in WWI, Berlin penned God Bless America and donated millions in royalties to Army Emergency Relief among other organizations. His patriotism was recognized by President Truman (1945 Army s Medal of Merit), President Eisenhower (1955 Congressional Gold Medal) and President Ford (1977 Freedom Medal). EVENTS Food Drive - Nov. 23-Dec. 30 Patrons visiting Syracuse Stage this holiday season are asked to please bring a non-perishable food item that will be donated to the food pantry at Grace Episcopal Church on Madison Street. Suggested items include: grits, pancake mix, dried beans, canned vegetables and spaghetti sauce. Live in the Sutton Series - FRI, Nov. 30 A post-show party in the Sutton Pavilion following the 8 p.m. opening night performance. Live music by Jazz vocalist Nancy Kelly. Prologue Join us for a free, intimate, insightful and entertaining pre-show talk led by members of the cast. One hour prior to curtain. SUN, Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. in Room 141 SAT, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. in the Sutton Pavilion THURS, Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sutton Pavilion 1 Lecture Series - WED, Dec. 5 Peabody Award winning broadcaster and critic Michael Lasser's talks about "Irving Berlin: The Unlikeliest Genius" at 1 p.m. in the Sutton Pavilion before the 2 p.m. matinee performance Open Captioning Series - WED, Dec. 5 & SUN, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. Open captioned 2 p.m. performance Sign Interpreted Series - SAT, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. Happy Hour THURS, Dec. 13 from 6-7:15 p.m. Half-price drinks and complimentary desserts from Provisions Bakery and Speach Family Candy Shoppe in the Sutton Pavilion. Plus, get a taste of our Signature Drink: Wintery Mix (Creme de Menthe, Bailey's and Creme de Cocoa, garnished with a candy cane). Audio Described Series - SAT, Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. Patrons who are blind or visually impaired may pick up an infrared audio receiver upon arriving at the theatre, and during the performance a live narrator will verbalize visual details about the actors and scenic elements. Due to limited availability, audio receivers must be reserved in advance through the box office,

4 Actor Talkback Series - SUN, Dec. 16 Meet the actors after the 7 p.m. performance ABOUT SYRACUSE STAGE Syracuse Stage is Central New York s premier professional theatre. Founded in 1974, Stage has produced more than 241 plays in 39 seasons including a number of world, American, and East Coast premieres. Each season 90,000 patrons enjoy an adventurous mix of new plays and bold interpretations of classics and musicals featuring the finest theatre artists. In addition, Stage maintains a vital educational outreach program that annually serves over 30,000 students from 24 counties. A solid core of subscribers and supporters helps keep Syracuse Stage a vibrant artistic presence in Central New York. Additional support comes from the government, foundations, corporations and Syracuse University. Syracuse Stage is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and a member of the Arts and Cultural Leadership Alliance (ACLA), the University Hill Corporation and the East Genesee Regent Association. Syracuse Stage is a member of The League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the largest professional theatre association in the country. 4

5 Info Sheet BASIC INFO SPONSORS Irving Berlin s White Christmas Based on the Paramount Pictures film Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin Book by David Ives and Paul Blake Directed by Paul Barnes Musical Direction by Christopher Drobny Choreography by David Wanstreet November 23 December 30, 2012 Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage 820 East Genesee Street Season Sponsors: Show Sponsors: Media Sponsors: The Post-Standard Time Warner Cable Excellus Key Bank Hiscock & Barclay Welch Allyn Eagle Newspapers Syracuse.com WCNY TICKETS CAST Adults: $30-$54 18 & Under: $20 40 & Under: $30-$32 *Senior discounts available all performances except Friday and Saturday evenings. *Rush tickets day of performance only: $20-$25 general public and $20 with valid student ID, subject to availability. Online: Call: In person: 820 East Genesee Street Groups (10 or more): Katie Anderson (Rita, Ensemble) Kyle Anderson (GI, Ensemble) 5

6 DESIGNERS Benjamin Ashe (Waiter, GI, Ensemble) Louis Baglio (Ed Sullivan Announcer, Conductor, Mike Nulty, Regency Room Announcer, Ensemble) Travante Baker (Ensemble) Jacqueline Baum (Susan) Elizabeth Boyke (Ensemble) Madeleine Corliss (Cigarette Girl, Ensemble) Thomas Countz (GI, Waiter, Ensemble) Avery Bryce Epstein (Ensemble) Joseph Fierberg (Maitre D, GI, Ensemble) Tyler Jimenez (GI, Ensemble) Lauren Koss (Understudy Susan) Duke Lafoon (Ralph Sheldrake, Patron at Jimmy s) Denis Lambert (Bob Wallace) Mary Jo Mecca (Martha Watson, Patron at Jimmy s) Helene Morse (Ensemble) Micah Nameroff (Ensemble) Christian Palmer (Waiter, Ensemble) Mary Michael Patterson (Judy Haynes) Elliot Peterson (Jimmy, Ensemble) Dan Reardon (Waiter, Ensemble) Jonalyn Saxer (Dance Captain, Ensemble) John Shuman (Ezekiel Foster/Snoring Man) Lily Smith (Ensemble) James Van Treuren (General Henry Waverly) Craig Waletzko (Phil Davis) Jordan Weagraff (GI, Scooter, Ensemble) Joanne Wilkens (Rhoda, Ensemble) Zakiya Young (Betty Haynes) Emily Zinski (Tessie, Mrs. Snoring Man, Ethel, Seamstress) William Bloodgood (Scenic Designer) Susan Branch Towne (Costume Designer) Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz (Lighting Design) Jonath an R. Herter (Sound Designer) STAGE MANAGER DIRECTION Stuart Plymesser (Production Stage Manager) Directed by Paul Barnes Musical Direction by Christopher Drobny Choreography by David Wanstreet SHOW CALENDAR (November/December): 6

7 SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT P P P P P O 3: OC, W 3:00 S H 3:00 AD OC 3:00 7:00 D : :00 P=Preview O=Press Opening, LIVE in the Sutton H=Happy Hour S=Sign Interpreted AD=Audio Described OC = Open Captioned D=Actor Talkback 1 Lecture ### Syracuse Stage I Producing Artistic Director: Timothy Bond I Managing Director: Jeffrey Woodward 820 E. Genesee St. I Main: I Box Office: I 7