White Christmas
New theater productions offer comedy, cookies and Christmas cheer.
By Brandon Burt @brandontburt
The lack of character development in the original is faithfully carried over into the stage version. The book is weak, and genuine laughs are few and far between. It’s not the cast’s fault but, in Act 1, it does make for a long slog between production numbers. Of these, there are many standouts. The hat-and-cane first-act finale “Blue Skies” is properly thrilling, as is the fabulously black-and-white ensemble piece “I Love a Piano.” The Act 2 finale—“White Christmas/I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm”—is cheery and seasonably appropriate.
Read the review of Around the World in 80 Days
Read the review of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
As Martha Watson, Mary Fanning Driggs is superb. “Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun” with Betty (Amy Justman) and Judy (Kaitlyn Davidson) in close harmony proves Driggs’ considerable chops as a belter and a power mixer. For their parts, Justman and Davidson are enchanting in their playful signature duet “Sisters.”
The state of the economy brings a rather sad holiday mood to 2010, so perhaps it’s appropriate for PTC to mount a Christmas extravaganza devoid of much humor. But the fact that this was intended as a comedy makes it sort of depressing. Given the strength of the musical numbers, it would work much better—and brighten our spirits—as a revue.
WHITE CHRISTMAS
Pioneer Theatre Company
300 S. 1400 East
801-581-6961
Through Dec. 24
$17-$54
PioneerTheatre.org
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