Paper Mill Playhouse has announced an extended holiday schedule for its hit musical, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Irving Berlin’s White Christmas is directed by Marc Bruni, with choreography by Randy Skinner and musical direction by Steven Freeman. The cast features: James Clow (Bob Wallace), Tony Yazbeck (Phil Davis), Jill Paice (Betty Haynes), Meredith Patterson (Judy Haynes), Edward James Hyland (General Waverly) and Lorna Luft (Martha Watson). Irving Berlin’s White Christmas opened to critical acclaim on Wednesday, November 16 and runs at the Millburn theater through Saturday, December 24.
Remaining performance of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas include: Friday, December 16 (7pm), Saturday December 17 (1:30pm and 7pm), Sunday, December 18 (1:30pm and 7pm), Tuesday, December 20 (7pm), Wednesday, December 21 (7pm), Thursday, December 22 (1:30pm and 7pm), Friday December 23 (1:30pm and 7pm) and Saturday, December 24 (1:30pm). Single tickets are on sale from $25. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.papermill.org. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted.
Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2011 Holiday Village and Animated Light Spectacular also run through Saturday, December 24. More than 75,000 animated lights, timed to music will bring holiday cheer to the masses! On Monday, December 19 guests can enjoy some of the best choirs in the state performing holiday selections in the theater’s courtyard and an opportunity to shop in the Paper Mill Playhouse Holiday Gift Bazaar in the theater’s lobby and art gallery from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. In addition, guests can receive free photos with Santa Claus, free hot cocoa and warm apple cider in The Carriage House. Check the Paper Mill Playhouse website (www.papermill.org) for a complete schedule of events and light-show times.
Based on the beloved Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye film, this merry musical tells the tale of two famous song-and-dance men who stage a show in a scenic, snow-topped Vermont inn — and end up finding love with two singing sisters under the mistletoe. With laughter, crazy plot turns, Broadway-size production numbers and the unforgettable music and lyrics of the legendary Irving Berlin, a book by David Ives and Paul Blake, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas is a brightly wrapped holiday gift.
“We are thrilled to bring this cast of Broadway veterans to our stage,” remarked Paper Mill Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee. “There is no better way to celebrate the holidays than a trip to Paper Mill Playhouse to experience this holiday spectacle.”
Director Marc Bruni was the Associate Director on 14 Broadway shows including Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and last year’s Tony-winning revival of Anything Goes. Bruni’s last staging at Paper Mill Playhouse was the critically acclaimed production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Other directing credits include: Fanny (City Center Encores!), Ordinary Days (Roundabout), In the Mood (Berkshire Theatre Festival), and at St. Louis Muny: The Music Man (Kevin Kline Award nomination). Choreographer Randy Skinner’s Broadway credits include: 42nd Street (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Astaire nominations), Ain’t Broadway Grand (Tony, Outer Critics nominations), Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Tony, Drama Desk nominations), State Fair (Outer Critics nomination), Lone Star Love (Lucille Lortel nomination). City Center Encores!: Do Re Mi, Of Thee I Sing, Face the Music and No, No, Nanette. London’s West End: Lend Me a Tenor: The Musical. The 2001 Tony Awards telecast (opening number).
James Clow plays Bob Wallace, stepping into the role Bing Crosby made famous. Clow was seen on Broadway in: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Assassins, Wonderful Town, Company, She Loves Me and Blood Brothers. Clow was last seen at Paper Mill Playhouse as George Bailey in A Wonderful Life. Tony Yazbeck portrays Phil Davis, the role played by Danny Kaye in the classic film. Yazbeck’s Broadway credits include: Chicago (Billy Flynn), Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Phil Davis), Gypsy with Patti LuPone (Tulsa; Outer Critics Circle Award nomination), A Chorus Line (Al), Never Gonna Dance, Oklahoma!, and Gypsy with Tyne Daly.
Sisters Betty and Judy Haynes are played by Jill Paice and Meredith Patterson. Paice was seen on Broadway in: 39 Steps (Annabella/Pam/Margaret), A Little Night Music (Anne), Curtains (Niki Harris) and The Woman in White (Laura Fairlie). Patterson was seen on Broadway in: 42nd Street (Peggy), Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Judy Haynes) and Irving Berlin's Face the Music (Kit Baker) for City Center Encores! Edward James Hyland plays General Waverly. Hyland starred in several feature films including: The Happening, College Road Trip, On the Hook, Trial By Fire and Expiration Date. On the New York stage, Hyland was featured in Arcadia, Festen, and Ah, Wilderness! at Lincoln Center.
