Merry and Bright (Clarksville Little Theatre)

Irving Berlin's White Christmas Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin

Book by David Ives and Paul Blake

Based on the film White Christmas by Norman Krasna,

Norman Panama and Melvin Frank Directed by William Strauss

Review by Brian Kennedy

Entire contents are copyright @2025 by Brian Kennedy. All rights reserved.

Some people dream of a white Christmas. Clarksville Little Theatre brings it to life on stage in a pretty good production. 

William Strauss directed Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, which also featured musical direction from Cathy Ryan and choreography from Rebecca Brewer and Mary Kate Vanegas. Based on the 1954 movie starring Bing Crosby, the musical featured the song-and-dance team Bob Wallace and Phil Davis (Elijah Borwick and Brayden Glass, respectively). Ten years after the war they served in, the duo head to Vermont with the sister act of Betty and Judy Haynes (Jessica Ray and Juliet Gahan, respectively). 

The chemistry between the four leads was wonderful. Phil and Judy harmonized and danced energetically and lovingly during the appropriate number "The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing."  Bob and Betty, on the other hand, were initially cold and somewhat wary of each other, leading to some of the duo’s more humorous moments. 

The two groups head to Vermont where Bob and Phil’s former leader General Waverly (Richard Ryan) runs an inn that, unknown to him, is going under. Ryan gave General Waverly an appropriate stern demeanor with a heart underneath. 

The show had plenty of heart and humor. Dan O’Neil was easily the best overall comedic performance with his laughter-inducing characters, including a snoring man on the train and the “ah-yup” farmhand Ezekiel. In both roles, his mannerisms, over-the-top with the snoring man while facial expressions, his unique walk and the “ah-yup” responses as Ezekiel, sent the crowd into uproarious laughter at many points in the show. 

Meanwhile, the flirtatious duo of Rita and Rhoda (Jaden Berry and Ava Vanderkolif, respectively) added their own comedic moments as the “Oxidol” advertisement girls (complete with wearing full-length boxes) and, later, trying to get Phil’s attention, much to the comedic chagrin of Judy.

As for the music and dancing, it was pretty good. Borwick’s rendition of the title song was lovely and getting the audience to sing this song with the cast near the curtain call was a nice touch. Also, Ray and Gahan’s harmonies on "Sisters" were terrific. The rest of the songs were performed adequately but suffered from constant problems with mics going in and out. Hopefully, that can be cleaned up throughout the rest of the run. 

Ultimately, with good chemistry from the leads and enough comedic moments from the aforementioned cast members, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at Clarksville Little Theatre can be an adequate addition to anyone’s holiday plans.

Irving Berlin's White Christmas

Clarksville Little Theatre

December 5,6,11,12,13 @730 pm October 7& 14@ 2pm 301 Montgomery Ave. Clarksville, IN 47129   www.clarksvillelittletheatre.org