× Upcoming Events About Music Theater Works Special Thanks Contributors to Music Theater Works' 2024 CommunityREACH and TicketREACH Sponsors Past Events
Image for Irving Berlin’s White Christmas - Copy
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas - Copy
December 15 - January 1, 2023
Program

December 15, 2022 –January 1, 2023
42nd Season
147th Production

Music Theater Works in association with Concord Theatricals

KYLE A. DOUGAN
Producing Artistic Director
Presents

 

Irving Berlin’s
White Christmas

Book by
David Ives & Paul Blake

  Music &Lyrics by
Irving Berlin

Based Upon the Paramount Pictures Film 

Written For the Screen by Norman Krasna, 

Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank

Original stage production directed by Walter Bobbie

Orchestrations by Larry Blank

Vocal and Dance Arrangements by Bruce Pomahac

 

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

Is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals (CT).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by CT. 
www.concordtheatricals.com

Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

JOYCE SAXON is the 2022 Music Theater Works Season Sponsor

Director
Sasha Gerritson

Music Director
Roger Bingaman

Music Contractor
Linda Madonia

Choreographer
Clayton Cross

Set Designer
Shane Cinal

Costume Designer
Elizabeth Monti

Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Designer
Alice Salazar

Lighting Designer
Andrew Meyers*

Intimacy Choreographer
Elena Patterson

Technical Director
Nick Zabel 

Sound Designer
Eric Backus*

Stage Manager
Allison Gonzales

Assistant Stage Manager
Ashley Keys

Wardrobe Crew
Kristin Brinati, Alexis Lotspeich

Company Manager
Jennifer King Russell

Production Manager
Chris Chase

Producing Artistic Director
Kyle A. Dougan

A Few Words from the Director

“Nothing scary or sad, nothing anxiety-provoking or depressing. Only warmth and happiness, like delicious hot chocolate, a big hug and a favorite blanket on a cold winter’s day.” 

This short speech was what I offered to the cast at the first rehearsal, as a high-level “emotional“ description of Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS. 

After almost three years of being distressed and distraught, working on this feel-good show is the greatest holiday gift I could ever receive. My hope is that in this theatre, at least for a few hours, we can collectively unplug, relax, take a breath, and smile. 

A few fun facts - the iconic “White Christmas” movie, starring Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, was released in 1954, but many of the beloved Irving Berlin tunes were written in the 1920’s and 30’s. Think of modern musicals like Mamma Mia! - when they take a bunch of songs and make a show out of them. However, the musical version of the movie (what we are watching today) didn’t premiere until July 17, 2000.

So here we are experiencing a show, parts of which have been in the works for almost 100 years! 

A love story. A story of hope. A story of all that is good in the world. One can’t help but leave the theatre humming "Blue Skies” or ”I Love a Piano”- they are the best!

What a true honor it has been for me to direct this show. This cast is EXCEPTIONAL.  I have been blessed by the creative genius of my colleagues Roger Bingaman (conductor) and Clayton Cross (choreographer) and a technical/design team that rivals any Broadway production. Our production team of lighting, painting, costume, stage managing, and makeup professionals have worked tirelessly to help pull you into this amazing holiday fantasy world. I hope you feel as comfortable and warm as I do when I watch all of these elements come together.

I am grateful that Music Theatre Works continues to thrive and keep these important works visible and accessible to Chicagoland audiences. This company serves a very important role in our artistic community and I am proud to support them and I hope you’ll feel inspired to do the same.

 “….May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white.” 

 

A wonderful holiday season to you all.

Cast

Bob Wallace

 

Tommy Thurston

Phil Davis

 

Jimmy Hogan

Betty Haynes

 

Kelly Britt

Judy Haynes

 

Anna Marie Abbate

General Waverly

 

Brian Rooney

Martha Watson 

 

Alicia Berneche

Susan Waverly 

 

Lea Biwer

Ralph Sheldrake 

 

J. Christian Hill

Rita

 

Jazmine Tamayo

Rhoda

 

Rachel Livingston

Ensemble

 

Andrew J. Baker

Ensemble/Dance Captain

 

Jordan Beyeler

Ensemble

 

Nicholas D. Brubaker

Ensemble/US Rhoda/Rita/Dance Captain   

 

Ariana Cappuccitti

Ensemble

 

Quinn Corrigan

Ensemble

 

Chad Gearig-Howe

Ensemble/US Phil 

 

David Geinosky

Ensemble/US Betty

 

Delaney Good

Ensemble/Dance Captain

 

Alex Iacobucci

Ensemble

 

Kelly Lohrenz

Ensemble/ US Judy

 

Emma Jean Lupp

Ensemble 

 

Tuesdai B. Perry

Ensemble

 

Phil Platakis

Ensemble

 

Isa Ramirez

Ensemble

 

Adam Raso

Ensemble

 

Sofia Ruffner

Ensemble

 

Tal Schatsky

Ensemble

 

Nick Schrier

Ensemble

 

Tyler Sonkin

US Martha

 

Anita Silvert

US Bob

 

Travis Ulrich

Swing

 

Rae Robeson

Swing

 

Alexander Christie

Orchestra

Conductor: Roger Bingaman

Reed 1:Cara Strauss

Reed 2: Gail Crosson

Reed 3: Matthew Beck

Reed 4: Sophie Creutz

Trumpet 1: Amy Nelson

Trumpet 2: Gregory Strauss

Horn: Sarah Younker

Trombone 1: Audrey Morrison

Trombone 2: John McAllister

Drums: Debbie Knowles Katz

Percussion: Tina Laughlin

Keyboard 1: Stephen Boyer

Keyboard 2: Justin Kono

Violin: John Ling

Violin: Nina Saito

Viola: Vannia Phillips

Cello: Lewis Ralinson

Bass: Joseph Krzysiak


(Musicians are members of Chicago Federation of Musicians, Local 10-208)

Production Staff

Director

 

Sasha Gerritson

Music Director

 

Roger Bingaman

Choreographer

 

Clayton Cross

Set Designer

 

Shane Cinal

Christmas Set Dresser

 

Holiday Home Creative

Costume Designer

 

Elizabeth Monti

Costume Assistant

 

Justin LeBlanc

Costume Assistant

 

Annie Guter

Costume Assistant

 

Patty Mueller

Wigs, Hair, and Make-up Designer

 

Alice Salazar

Props Designer

 

MaK Cole

Lighting Designer

 

Andrew Meyers*

Lighting Programmer & Master Electrician

 

Chelsea Lynn

Intimacy Choreographer

 

Elena Patterson

Technical Director

 

Nick Zabel

Sound Designer

 

Eric Backus*

Music Contractor

 

Linda Madonia

Scene Shop Technical Director

 

Will Hughes

Paint Charge

 

Ben Lipinski

Stage Manager

 

Allison Gonzales

Assistant Stage Manager

 

Ashley Keys

Wardrobe Crew

 

Kristin Brinati

Wardrobe Crew

 

Alexis Lotspeich

Hair & Make-up Assistant

 

Karlika Clayborne

Lighting Board Operator

 

Alon Stotter

Spot Operator 

 

Ethan McIntosh

Spot Operator 

 

Caleb Woodring

Head Audio / Audio Technician 

 

Mathew Chase

Audio Technician 

 

Eric Brown

Company Manager

 

Jennifer King Russell

Production Manager

 

Chris Chase

Producing Artistic Director

 

Kyle A. Dougan


* Member of United Scenic Artists Local USA 829

Musical Numbers