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White Christmas Delivers Holiday Cheer At Westchester Broadway Theatre

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- We are getting ready for the holiday season. There is one destination we heartily advise you to see, and that is, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" at the Westchester Broadway Theatre.

 Sean Quinn, Karen Murphy (Martha) and Caleb Teicher perform "Let Me Sing And I'm Happy" in White Christmas.

Sean Quinn, Karen Murphy (Martha) and Caleb Teicher perform "Let Me Sing And I'm Happy" in White Christmas.

Photo Credit: Contributed by Westchester Broadway Theatre
Kelly Sheehan (Judy) and Jeremy Benton (Phil) perform "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing."

Kelly Sheehan (Judy) and Jeremy Benton (Phil) perform "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing."

Photo Credit: Contributed by Westchester Broadway Theatre
The cast performs "Let Yourself Go" in White Christmas at the Westchester Broadway Theatre.

The cast performs "Let Yourself Go" in White Christmas at the Westchester Broadway Theatre.

Photo Credit: Contributed by Westchester Broadway Theatre
The White Christmas cast performs "Snow."

The White Christmas cast performs "Snow."

Photo Credit: Contributed by Westchester Broadway Theatre

The genesis of this delightful musical comes from a song, written by the legendary Irving Berlin.  Audiences were first introduced to the song in the Bing Crosby movie  "Holiday Inn," back in 1942.  It went on to win the Oscar for Best Original Song.

A dozen years later, the song was the impetus for a movie.  The Paramount produced flick starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera Ellen and Rosemary Clooney.

We first meet the two enlisted servicemen Bob Wallace (Sean Montgomery) and Phil Davis (Jeremy Benton), serving on the European Front, on Christmas Eve 1944.  The war is winding to a close.  Wallace, once he hits stateside, will resume his Broadway career.  Davis, on the other hand, hopes to break into show business, when the war is over.  In the meantime, they spend their leisure hours entertaining their Army buddies.  

While they are performing, they learn that their beloved commanding officer, General Henry Waverly (Jamie Ross) is being relieved of his duty, and heading home to Vermont.

Ten years go by. It is 1954.   Bob and Phil are performing on "The Ed Sullivan Show."  They meet a sister act Judy (Kelly Sheehan) and Betty (Lindsie Vanwinkle) Haynes.  Phil is instantly smitten with Judy and starts to pursue her.  Bob, on the other hand, is planning to spend the holidays performing in sun-drenched Miami.  Despite his resistance, Bob finds himself dancing with Betty, where they sing "The Best Things Happen When You're Dancing."

Bob's plans are waylaid, when he tags along with Phil and the girls to the evergreen mountains of Vermont.  When they check-into a bed and breakfast, they learn, to their amazement, that Old Man Waverly is now running the establishment.  It is, indeed, a far cry from his Army days, when he led thousands under his command. 

The hotel's room clerk, Martha Watson (Karen Murphy), catches the two former army privates up to their general's activities in a rousing rendition of  "What Do You Do with a General."  

The foursome soon learns that all is not well with the hotel.  Bob and Phil concoct an idea to call all their old army buddies to help their leader. Later, Waverly is  surprised when the full compliment of his old company enter the lobby, while singing "We'll Follow the Old Man."

There are surprises along the way, that we are sworn to secrecy, not to reveal.  Rest assured, the evening ends on a truly memorable note for all.

Kudos must be given to not only the entire cast, but, most especially to the show's director and choreographer, Randy Skinner.

This delightful and touching musical lives up to the high standards of Berlin,who deemed "White Christmas" the best song he had ever written. The show will run until Jan. 12, 2014.

Whatever your holiday plans are, we encourage you to make your reservations by calling (914)-592-2222 or by going online to www.BroadwayTheatre.com.

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