Wrap your arms around this ‘White Christmas’ holiday present

The breakout number, “Let Yourself Go,” at the start of Gateway’s “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical,” with the cast and ensemble, is a gorgeous, rousing start of things to come.

It’s full throttle, hands up, skirts sashaying song and dance. They sing “Happy Holiday,” ring bells.

It’s “I’m happy to be alive!” 

You would want to be with them at the Columbia Inn this season.

That’s in Pine Tree, Vt. It’s the Christmas season, and former World War II Army Gen. Henry Waverly is struggling to keep the customers coming. On top of that, there’s no snow. Uh oh!

But here come former soldiers from his 150th First Division, who performed in the field, Bob Wallace (Jeremiah James) and Phil Davis (Jeremy Benton), who turn up and pitch a show to save the inn. Throw in two gorgeous sisters, Betty Haynes (Marie Eife) and Judy Haynes (Kelly Sheehan), the grumpy General (Tom Galantich), a sassy inn concierge (Amy Bodnar), romantic snafus, comedy, an ebullient ensemble, an orchestra that plays full-tilt, music and dancing.

There are 20 terrific showstoppers. It was angst choosing a few, but here goes.

The “Sisters” song, with Betty and Judy, is a winking, funny performance with the actresses singing while wearing gorgeous sequined turquoise dresses, gracefully dancing with big feather fans. Their voices are top notch and present the kind of classy enchantment you rarely see nowadays.

I was actually singing “Snow” on a walk with my dog the day after I saw the musical.

That’s launched into when Phil wrangles the train ticket from Grand Central, Track 22, for Vermont, tricking Bob instead of heading to a gig to Miami, after learning the General was in trouble. And after discovering that Betty and Judy are going there, too, for a performance. The passengers in the train car are all set for snow with skis, hats, scarves gloves. Phil, Judy, Bob, Betty, Snoring Man and Mrs. Snoring Man (yep, those are the characters) sing this buoyant, harmonic song with choruses that raise the bar.

Watch Benton and Sheehan (she’s been performing “White Christmas” for almost 15 years on Broadway and the National Tour) as they light into “The Best Things Happen When You’re Dancing.” It’s pure American theater choreography with sweeping, romantic steps, swing, tap and Latin.  Kudos to Sheehan; it ain’t easy with heels.

The barn scene with the ensemble in “Blue Skies” is a gorgeous movement, with blue and white jackets, white hats for emphasis, batons. Wow!

So, words about the actors. There are 14 Actors Equity performers, including ensemble players in this fab company of 31; the six main cast have Broadway and/or Broadway National Tour experience. Besides Broadway, Jeremiah James as Bob Wallace, is a West End performer and international recording artist.

His baritone/tenor voice in “Count Your Blessings” is tender and touching. “How Deep Is the Ocean” is a smoky, passionate yearning when he’s wooing Betty.  James is hilarious when he and Benton dance and vamp to “Sisters” with pants rolled up.

Benton as Phil Davis played Fred Astaire in Off Broadway’s “Cheek to Cheek: Irving Berlin in Hollywood,” and was an Astaire Award nominee in Off Broadway’s.  “Cagney.” He teaches tap at Steps on Broadway. Long, intricate production numbers, especially tap, aren’t easy, but Benton energizes his dances and glides through.

Amy Bodnar (Broadway in “Oklahoma” and “Ragtime”) as Martha Watson, the concierge, is the surprise inclusion to Bob and Phil’s show when she struts and belts out “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy” in the barn.

Marie Eife (Broadway National Tour, “Wicked) as Betty scorches with the torch song, “Love, You Didn’t Do Right By Me.”

Tom Galantich plays General Waverly (Broadway and TV) as a soft touch under all that bluster. And Sofia Da Costa-Wilson got  cheers as granddaughter Susan Waverly when she auditions for a part.

So, here’s the thing. The stars of the show are superb, the ensemble is terrific, the costumes are colorful couture, the orchestra plays this lovely score with skilled abandon. And while the musical is an adaptation of a 1954 movie of the same name, its themes of romance, joy, and loyalty still endure. Go see it. 

For tickets: visit www.thegateway.org.