'White Christmas' Holds 'Merry' Box Office Opening Celebration 10/6

By: Oct. 06, 2008
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Christmas arrives early on Broadway this year when the anticipated musical Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS celebrates the opening of the Marquis Theatre box office (1535 Broadway) on Monday, October 6th with a ribbon cutting ceremony by the stars in full costume, the first holiday tree lighting of the season and complimentary Starbucks holiday beverages.

Early Christmas shoppers will also have a chance to get the season’s best holiday gift - and one that can’t be purchased, by entering to win four tickets to the opening night performance including passes to the exclusive post-show cast party.

After officially “unwrapping” the box office Monday morning at 11:00 a.m., the stars will spread holiday cheer with gift-wrapped Ghostlight original cast recordings for anyone who purchases tickets from 11a.m. - 12 p.m.

As early forecasts call for snow, the cast will decorate two Christmas trees as part of the permanent Marquis Winter landscape to be installed in the heart of Times Square - before sending ticket buyers off with the first tree lighting of the season and the gift of Irving Berlin’s beloved music.

Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS, a new musical stage reinvention of the cherished classic film,  arrives on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre this holiday season for 63 performances only - guaranteeing New York a white Christmas!

Previews begin Friday, November 14th, 2008 for an official opening on Sunday, November 23rd, 2008, and a 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) will lead a cast of 33 in the highly anticipated 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.

Every holiday season, audiences of all ages enjoy the uplifting story of White Christmas. Now, a new generation will be able to experience this holiday tradition in a completely new way – live on stage. With the Broadway arrival of Irving Berlin’sWHITE CHRISTMAS, the show is poised to become New York’s newest holiday tradition.

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’s WHITE 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.

Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS made its world premiere stage debut during the 2004 holiday season in San Francisco, garnering rave reviews and establishing its status as a don’t-miss holiday show.

The show has since dazzled audiences across the country.

Critics have said: “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a Technicolor movie musical,” raved the Oakland Tribune. “A holiday juggernaut. There’s plenty to ooh and aah over. One well-loved Berlin tune after another” declared the Los Angeles Times. “Plenty of razzmatazz, including snow!” said the Boston Globe. The Detroit Free Press proclaimed “Highly entertaining holiday fare!” and the Minneapolis Star Tribune called the musical “A dazzling, sweet work that deserves plenty of praise.”

TICKET INFORMATION:

Tickets prices are $66.50, $91.50 and $121.50 (including $1.50 facility fee), and available by calling Ticketmaster at 212-307-4100 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For group sales details and pricing call The Group Sales Box Office at 800-223-7565 or visit www.bestofbroadway.com.

For more information including complete schedule please visit www.whitechristmasthemusical.com

Photo Credit Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.



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