‘White Christmas’ Dreams: Theatre Guild stages beloved holiday musical
Published 5:24 pm Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily Times Bob Wallace and Phil Davis (played by Houston VanLandingham and Brawdy Gupton) become friends during World War II then create a song-and-dance team in the Theatre Guild Valdosta production of 'White Christmas.'
Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily Times Betty and Judy (played by Allie Richards and Myan Montgomery) are the singing-dancing Haynes sisters in the Theatre Guild Valdosta production of 'White Christmas.'
Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily Times Theatre Guild Valdosta's 'White Christmas' features a large, local cast on the downtown Dosta Playhouse stage.
VALDOSTA – Kassandra Faye Belson dreamed of a “White Christmas.”
While the majority of Theatre Guild Valdosta members pushed to stage a live, local version of “Elf,” based on the Will Farrell Christmas movie, Belson advocated “White Christmas,” based on the Bing Crosby-Danny Kaye holiday movie, to the Downtown Valdosta stage.
When the Guild learned “Elf” was unavailable, Belson made her move. She hosted a viewing party for the movie musical. After the viewing, her fellow Guild members were sold, she said.
“I love the movie,” Belson said. “I love its feel-good feeling. … It’s a love letter to Hollywood … filled with glamour and talent.”
And great songs.
“White Christmas” is a musical featuring music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, with book by David Ives and Paul Blake. Songs include “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing,” “Snow,” “Blue Skies” and, of course, the still wildly popular title song “White Christmas.”
During a recent rehearsal, Houston VanLandingham and Brawdy Gupton along with Allie Richards and Myan Montgomery rehearsed the tap dance steps of “Let Yourself Go.” VanLandingham and Gupton play buddies Bob and Phil while Richards and Montgomery play the Haynes sisters. Belson said performers have been rehearsing intensely for the dance scenes choreographed by Kelly Barbour.
“It’s a very physical show,” Belson said.
“Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II,” according to a Guild show synopsis. “With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander. With a dazzling score featuring well-known standards and the perennial title song, ‘White Christmas’ is an uplifting, wholesome musical that will delight audiences of all ages.”
With the show opening during World War II, “White Christmas” is a light comedic musical founded in the drama of war and loss.
The war explains so much, Belson said.
“Why is Bob so solemn? Why is Phil light-hearted? They deal with the war differently,” she said.
The opening war scenes and other scenes are bolstered by the Guild’s new digital scenery technology, funded by a recent $5,000 donation from Georgia Power, Belson said.
The scenery plays a part in bringing the Guild’s Christmas card to Valdosta to life.
THE CAST: Houston VanLandingham, Brawdy Gupton, Allie Richards, Myan Montgomery, Steve McCurdy, Patti Robertson, Elizabeth Belson, Caleb Andus, Kayla Casiano, Lindsey Clanton, Paul Kirkland, Alijah Patterson, Kamari Samuels, Lydia Gentry, Megan Raabe, Janelle Brown, Darius Perkins, Adyson Peterson, Lucah Harvey, Ja’Leigh Brooks, Wyatt Burke, David Wilson, Kevin Tolliver, Jamie Workman, Taylor Sharfner, Sally Kirkland, Sunny Lee.
DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Kassandra Faye Belson, director; Jeannie Gupton, assistant director; Dena Rodgers & Sandi Parrish, producers; Kelly Barbour, choreographer; Sommers Coleman, lights; Dana Welch, set design/builder; Amanda Sanderson, stage manager; Emily Harding, sound.
