‘White Christmas’ Reminds Us To Count Our Blessings

I feel I have to be up front and honest. The movie White Christmas has never been one of my favorites. I know, I know. It's a classic and it's a musical so you would think I would love it. I always just thought it moved too slow and, dare I say it, it was boring.

However, the stage version of White Christmas was anything but boring. I loved it. I think there is just something about a show being live right in front you that holds your attention. There were also three tap numbers so that could have something to do with it, but seriously, it was so much fun.

Fans of the movie should probably know that some of the songs in the stage version are not in the movie. But your favorites like "Snow", "Sisters", and, of course, "White Christmas" are all there.

White Christmas is the story of a song and dance duo who met in the Army. 10 years after WWII they follow a beautiful sister act to their Holiday gig at an Inn in Vermont. The Inn is owned by their former General. The Inn is having a hard time so they plan a show to help save it!

My favorite moments were, as I said, the tap numbers. First we get a tap number to "Happy Holidays/ Let Yourself Go". It was full of bright costumes and fun formations and obviously, some great tap dancing.

The second tap number opens Act II., "I Love A Piano". I know they are singing about loving pianos, but this number is all about the dancing! There are sparkly outfits and the whole ensemble comes out. I didn't know they were going to dance at first and when the first little taps made noise, I literally gasped. I was so excited. And this routine went on for a very long time. The stamina of these dancers is amazing. I did a tap routine when I was in the Community Theatre production of Mary Poppins and it was nothing compared to this. It. Was. So. Good.

The third tap number was to "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm", which closes the show. It was a great way to end a great show.

You may be wondering, "I thought 'White Christmas' is the last song of the show?"

Well, it's right before "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" and I loved how they presented it. Obviously, "White Christmas" is one of the most identifiable songs in the English language so everybody knows it. They turned it into a sing-a-long with the crowd. I, for one, was glad they did, because I was probably going to sing-a-long whether they liked it or not.

Oh, I almost forgot, one dance routine that was not tap, but also spectacular was to "Blue Skies". Everyone was dressed in all white with canes and top hats! Two props, but they handled it like a pro! It ends with a beautiful contagion of a cane toss and a turn right on down the line. Beautiful.

Overall, I was very pleasantly surprised by White Christmas. Trying to bring to life a Christmas classic is no small feat, but they did it and did it so well. I may actually prefer the stage version to the movie. Sorry, Bing Crosby.

There are still four chances left to see White Christmas! For tickets and more information click here.