Classic Irvin Berlin show at the Fox

Atlanta’s Theater of the Stars is bringing a classic holiday production to life this weekend at the Fox Theatre. This brand new production of “White Christmas” is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.

Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” is a delightful new musical based on the 1954 Paramount hit movie. It tells the story of two veterans, Bob and Phil, who have a successful song-and-dance act after the war. 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. The boys soon realize they are the only guests at the resort because there is no snow. In order to help the General, they come up with a scheme to bring in a crowd. They decide to stage their newest Broadway revue, as well as make a special television appeal to all their Army buddies to show up on Christmas Eve. The show features the classic Irving Berlin hits “Blue Skies,” “Sisters,” “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” “I Love a Piano?” and one of the most popular songd in history, “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.”

Starring as crooner Bob Wallace is Tom Galantich. His theater credits include leading roles in the Broadway shows “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” “Mamma Mia!” “Boys From Syracuse,” “City of Angels” and “Into The Woods.” He toured as Bobby in “Company,” Harker in “Dracula” and had the pleasure of performing at Carnegie Hall in “100 Years of Broadway.” Marla Schaffel will portray singing sister Betty Haynes. She starred on Broadway in the Tony-nominated musical “Jane Eyre” and appeared on Broadway in “Titanic” and “Les Miserables.” She has starred in Theater of the Stars productions of “My Fair Lady” and “The Sound of Music.” David Engel plays the other half of Wallace & Davis as the dashing Phil Davis. He is a two-time LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award Winner. He was in the original Broadway casts of “Seussical The Musical” and “La Cage Aux Folles” and in the original off-Broadway cast of “Forever Plaid” and the holiday sequel, “Plaid Tidings.” Kristen Beth Williams will appear as Betty’s sister and matchmaker Judy Haynes. Her credits include “Follies” and “Face The Music” at City Center Encores in New York and “Happy Days: A New Musical” at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Starring as the cheerful but nosey inn manager Martha is Karen Murphy. George McDaniel stars as the commanding General Waverly.

“White Christmas” features music and lyrics by Irving Berlin with a book by David Ives and Paul Blake.

This brand new production of “White Christmas” is produced by Atlanta’s Theater of the Stars. After the show’s run in Atlanta, concluding this weekend, the production will continue the tour through January.

Jeff Calhoun is the director for “White Christmas.” Jeff’s most recent credit is as director for the stage version of “Disney’s High School Musical” which started in Atlanta and is now touring throughout North America.

Theater of the Stars will present “White Christmas” at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree Street, from Nov. 9-11. Preview performances took place Tuesday-Thursday, and the show officially opens today at 8 p.m. with additional performances on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster. Purchases through Ticketmaster can be made in three ways: at Ticketmaster ticket centers, by calling 404-817-8700, by ordering online at www.ticketmaster.com. For group ticket sales, call the Fox Theatre Group Sales Office at 404-881-2000. Ticket prices range from $20-64.

Theater of the Stars is celebrating its 55th Anniversary this year as one of the nation’s premier theater companies. A civic non-profit cultural organization, Theater of the Stars is dedicated to presenting and producing the best in musical theater. To learn more about their history of excellence, visit them at www.theaterofthestars.com.

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