Photo Coverage: WHITE CHRISTMAS Gypsy Robe Ceremony

Ritchie Mastascusa was the Gypsy Robe recipient for Irving Berlin's White Christmas at the Marquis Theatre on Opening Night, Sunday November 23rd. The colorful Gypsy Robe, embellished with mementos from Broadway musicals, is presented to the cast member who has the most Broadway chorus credits.  

Irvin Berlin's White Christmas, a new musical stage reinvention of the cherished classic film, arrived on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre for 65 performances only - guaranteeing New York a very "white" Christmas! BroadwayWorld.com sent our cameras on their "merry" way to join in on all the holiday fun of the opening night party!

Previews began Friday, November 14th, 2008. The show celebrated an official opening last night, Sunday, November 23rd, 2008, it has a strictly limited run through Sunday, January 4th, 2009.

Tony Award® nominee Stephen Bogardus (Love! Valour! Compassion!), Kerry O'Malley(Into the Woods), Jeffry Denman (The Producers), Meredith Patterson(42nd Street), Charles Dean (Berkeley Repertory Theatre) and Susan Mansur (Damn Yankees) lead a cast of 33 in the festive holiday engagement.

Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS is produced by Kevin McCollum, John Gore,Tom McGrath, Paul Blake, The Producing Office, Dan Markley, Sonny Everett and Broadway Across America in association with Paramount Pictures.

The musical tells the story of two showbiz buddies who put on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn, and find their perfect mates in the bargain. Full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written, Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS promises to be a merry and bright theatrical experience for the entire family.

Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS is directed by Tony Award® winner Walter Bobbie (Chicago, Sweet Charity), with a book by David Ives (Is He Dead?) and Paul Blake, choreography by Tony Award® nominee Randy Skinner (42nd Street), set design by Tony Award® nominee Anna Louizos (In the Heights,Avenue Q), costumes by Tony Award® nominee Carrie Robbins (Grease, Over Here), lighting design by Tony Award® winner Ken Billington (Chicago, The Drowsy Chaperone, Annie), sound design by Tony Award® nominee Acme Sound Partners (In the Heights, Spamalot), orchestrations by Tony Award® nominee Larry Blank (The Drowsy Chaperone), vocal and dance arrangements by Bruce Pomahac, music supervision by Rob Berman, and casting by Jay Binder C.S.A. The stage production is based on the Paramount Pictures film, written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank.

Many Irving Berlin classics are showcased in the new musical, including "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," "I Love a Piano," "Sisters," "How Deep is the Ocean" and the unforgettable title song, "White Christmas." This production of Irving Berlin'sWHITE CHRISTMAS plays during the holiday season each year in a different city, bringing the spirit of love, charity, and song around the country for all to enjoy!

Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd. 

Irving Berlin's White Christmas at the Marquis Theatre

Irving Berlin's White Christmas at the Marquis Theatre

Greg Graham (Gypsy Robe Winner-BILLY ELLIOT)

Greg Graham

Greg Graham with Ira Mont

Greg Graham with Ira Mont

Greg Graham

Ritchie Mastascusa (Gypsy Robe Winner-WHITE CHRISTMAS )

Greg Graham and Ritchie Mastascusa

Greg Graham and Ritchie Mastascusa

Greg Graham and Ritchie Mastascusa

Greg Graham and Ritchie Mastascusa

Greg Graham and Ritchie Mastascusa

Greg Graham and Ritchie Mastascusa

Greg Graham and Ritchie Mastascusa

Greg Graham and Ritchie Mastascusa

Greg Graham and Ritchie Mastascusa

Ritchie Mastascusa shows off the Gypsy Robe!

Con O'Shea-Creal, Jeffry Denman & Kevin Worley and Stephen Bogardus

Ritchie Mastascusa

Ritchie Mastascusa

The cast of White Christmas cheer on Ritchie Mastascusa

Ritchie Mastascusa

Ritchie Mastascusa wears it proudly!

Ritchie Mastascusa

Ritchie Mastascusa

Ritchie Mastascusa

Ritchie Mastascusa

Ritchie Mastascusa

Ritchie Mastascusa

Ritchie Mastascusa

Ritchie Mastascusa

Ritchie Mastascusa

Ritchie Mastascusa soaks in the joy!

Kevin McCollum and Ritchie Mastascusa

Stephen Bogardus and Kevin McCollum

John P. Connolly, Ritchie Mastascusa and Ira Mont

John P. Connolly, Ritchie Mastascusa and Ira Mont

Ritchie Mastascusa, Jeffry Denman, Stephen Bogardus, Kerry O'Malley and Meredith Patterson

Ritchie Mastascusa, Jeffry Denman, Stephen Bogardus, Kerry O'Malley and Meredith Patterson

Ritchie Mastascusa, Jeffry Denman, Stephen Bogardus, Kerry O'Malley and Meredith Patterson

Ritchie Mastascusa

Ritchie Mastascusa

Irving Berlin's White Christmas