Dreaming of White Christmas
The enduring thing about classic songs, plays and movies is the appeal of being able to share a titch of nostalgia across the generations.
Grandparents, parents and children — young and old — can delight in a Christmas special that has spanned the decades and still has the ability to bring a smile to faces and get an audience tapping toes.
White Christmas, presented by Kelowna Actors Studio, promises to do just that as the cast takes to the stage with the ageless musical with a message.
“Without a doubt it has a Christmas thread throughout, and it’s a play that anyone can enjoy,” said Anna Jacyszyn, who portrays Betty, one half of a singing sister’s duo.
“It’s a story of nostalgia and Christmases of the past with great songs like Blue Skies, I Love Piano, Sisters, My Love Didn’t Do Right By Me and of course, White Christmas.”
The storyline creates a simple theme as army veterans turned song-and-dance duo Bob Wallace (Randy Leslie) and Phil Davis (Nate Flavel) follow the singing sisters to a winter lodge with romance on their minds.
But circumstances take the group in a different direction when they discover the old lodge, owned by their former commander, played by Jason Casey, is in dire financial straights and needs a helping hand.
The plan is to hold a Christmas concert to raise funds, but there are twists and turns along the way, with misunderstandings, good laughs and of course, a happy ending.
While Jacyszyn has a longstanding affinity for singing on world stages, newcomer Sidney Cummings is cutting her acting chops with the Christmas classic.
“My character is absolutely like me—we have a lot in common so it’s fun playing her, and really a lot of fun having Anna as my sister,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of dance moves, a big tap number, and great being on stage with so many supportive people,” she added. “The story has a real holiday pull, it’s a time of year where we just want to get involved with choirs and theatre and feel-good songs.”
Leslie is reprising his role as Bob, and will be joined on stage for the first time in several years by KAS co-founder Flavel, whose last role as Emcee in the production of Cabaret, is a far cry from the “class clown-like” role of bumbling but loveable, Phil.
“White Christmas is one of the most-requested shows that our audience surveys come up with,” Leslie said. “So we brought it back, with new costuming and a great cast. Everybody loves a good love story and good moral, and that’s what this classic show is about.”
The circa 1950s setting allows the creation of fun costumes, including the “great blue dress outfits and huge fans we get to use when we do Sisters,” said Jacyszyn. “The costuming is authentic for the time, and we’re not using any wigs—those pin curls are going to be real!”
Both ‘sisters’ were enthusiastic about the big show stopper ending with everyone on stage to sing the ageless Bing Crosby hit, I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas, that will undoubtedly leave a few misty eyed and soft-hearted as the snow falls on stage.
The show is quick-paced with plenty of heart, a good message and feel-good nostalgia at a very heart warming time of year.
This encore production opens Nov. 29 and runs through to Dec. 17, with tickets available at Kelowna Tickets in Orchard Park Mall, online www.kelownaactorsstudio.com or 250-862-2867.
As KAS is a dinner theatre, tickets can be purchased as dinner with show; show only or show with dessert during matinee performances.