White Christmas - Dark Publications

Location: Home » music » General » White Christmas

Similar Items:

•	Young Frankenstein: The New Mel Brooks Musical

Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
A bright splash of holiday cheer, Irving Berlin's White Christmas is a stage version of the classic 1954 Bing Crosby film. The plot is basically the same: two GIs (Brian D'Arcy James and Jeffry Denman in the Bing and Danny Kaye roles) become a song-and-dance team after World War II, run into a couple of dames (Anastasia Barzee and Meredith Patterson in the Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen roles), then head up to Vermont with the girls to put on a show in a barn to save the inn run by their former commanding officer. The familiar songs are borrowed from the show ("Sisters," "Snow," "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," the title tune), augmented by other Berlin hits ("I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," "I Love a Piano," "Let Yourself Go") and snappily orchestrated in period style by Larry Blank. The four principals are the ones who debuted the show in San Francisco in 2004, plus Karen Morrow as Martha Watson. Irving Berlin's White Christmas is already becoming a favorite for major repertory companies to perform during the holiday season. --David Horiuchi

Album Description
'Tis the season, and all the more reason to be jolly - a new stage adaptation of the beloved classic film White Christmas is coming to a theatre near you this season. This new holiday tradition made its stage debut on 2004 in San Francisco, garnering rave reviews and establishing it status as a don't miss Holiday show. The show expanded last year and played in Boston & Los Angeles.

Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

WONDERFUL! They don't write shows like this anymore November 2, 2006
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Using songs from the 1954 film, and a few other gems and even unknown treasures from the Berlin cannon, the show creators have put together a very strong, enjoyable score that out-performs anything offered on Broadway in recent memory. The orchestrations are lush, the cast seems very well suited for the material, and the interpretaion both pays homage to the classic film, and finds new life for itself. All in all-- an EXCELLENT project.

5 out of 5 stars

Wonderfully tuneful and vintage feel make this a winner. January 10, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

The cast album (the San Francisco production with Karen Morrow added) of the touring production of Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS is delightful from start to finish. Full Broadway-style arrangements and orchestrations of the film tunes supplemented by Berlin catalog songs are razzmatazz vintage 1950s style, which makes this set engaging and spirited. Especially when it's as well sung as this is by Broadway pros young and old - not to denigrate Karen Morrow's age in any way, she's a great addition to this set as the show-biz vet housekeeper. The whole score is full of sparkle and memories, bolstered by some terrific production numbers - first-act finale "Blue Skies" and second-act showstopper "I Love a Piano" are supreme - and new takes on faves "Happy Holidays", "Snow" and "What Can You Do with A General?". Morrow delivers in socko fashion on her solo "Let Me Sing a Happy Song" and provides superb support on the interpolated charm song trio "Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun". Everyone gives themselves to the spirit and style of this songstack, it's a fantastic souvenir of the show and a welcome addition to anyone's original cast album collection. Lots of good feelings all the way round and you'll listen to this one over and over again, whether it's holiday time or not!

5 out of 5 stars

WhiteChristmas...the new theatrical cast version February 21, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Oh my Lord! Who would think you could beat Bing Crosby and the rest of the original cast for this musical. I saw it in the theater, when I was seven years old and have my whole family addicted! We watch it every Christmas and in between. It's a family tradition. This album is absolutely fantastic. I hesitated getting it. I was afraid I would not like it compared to the movie track, (which is non existent, actually). To make a long story short, you will NOT be disappointed! The extra Irving Berlin songs are incredible. The theatrical renditions of these time-honored tunes is wonderful and inspiring! It you are a fan of Irving Berlin, you enjoy great vocals, and you love Broadway, you will love this album. It couldn't be better! (... Not the same as Bing and company, of course, but equally wonderful to listen to!)

5 out of 5 stars

Yeah !!! April 14, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I love this album -- I saw the show in SF twice and recently in Detroit -- the album captures all of the wonderful score and the cast on the album is super -- although they made one curious recording faux pas as far as I am concerned -- why records a Randy Skinner tap dance show without including any of the tap on the recording? Still -- I listen to it constantly in the car -- it feels like Christmas year round!

5 out of 5 stars

Gives new life to the classic film story... November 12, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Irving Berlin's White Christmas: White Christmas is one of the best musicals ever made - make that one of the best movies ever made. I absolutely adore it. This CD is the soundtrack to the stage version of the film. I so want to see this show. If the music is any indication, the show is an absolute blast. It's chock-full of the classic Irving Berlin songs from the movie, with the addition of other Berlin classics such as "Happy Holiday," "Blue Skies," "How Deep Is the Ocean," and "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm." The arrangements positively hum with energy - the music has a full, big-band flavor. And the principal vocalists, led by Brian d'Arcy James and Jeffrey Denman, are terrific - they don't try to imitate their filmic predecessors Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen. If they had, that would've equaled disaster. What makes this album work is that you are given top-notch Broadway singers performing timeless Berlin tunes with life and energy. They're not trying to present a carbon copy of the film onstage - the show is more of a love letter to the film, if you will. The story's been tweaked, some of the movie's songs eliminated ("Choreography" is no great loss IMO) or rearranged, but the nostalgic heart of the film's story is vibrantly present.

Powered by Associate-O-Matic

T-shirts, Posters

Pentagram T-shirts, bags, etc...

Gothic Posters