How is Lorna Luft in "White Christmas"??

[PeteGonBway]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 12:23am

Anyone seen the tour yet?? I haven't heard any reviews! How is Lorna as Martha??

[philly03]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 2:07am

I didn't post a review, but I did see it.

Lorna Luft was fantastic! One of the strongest parts of the cast, not over done or anything. Very funny, and a great Martha. (First time seeing it - liked her much better than the woman on the cast album!)

[The Boy From Ohio]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 6:39pm

I agree with philly03, she was fantastic. I thought the whole show was fantastic. I can't remember the last time I saw that much dancing (esp. tap) in a show. It was great... Go if you can.

[hmpeterson]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 6:45pm

I saw the show on Saturday night and I thought the cast was outstanding.

Lorna Luft can still belt it out like the best of them. I thought her acting was a little hokey, but there is no denying her voice or her stage presence. She was great.

The stand out for me was Megan Sikora...boy can that girl dance!

[The Boy From Ohio]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 6:58pm

^ The whole show was "a little hokey", but that's what I loved about it.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 7:10pm

Looking forward to seeing the tour (especially Ms. Luft) when it hits Louisville, KY.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 11:48pm

We saw it yesterday, and the whole show is the kind of thing that makes you smile from ear to ear for hourson end.

Lorna is an old-school powerhouse, with an incredible voice. Her "Let Me Sing and I'm Happy" kind of sums up the show.

Kerry O'Malley as Betty is pretty terrific, and her 2nd-act ballad, "Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me" is a killer.

As previously noted, Megan Sikora is sikora-ble as the dancing sister, and she plays beautifully with David Elder, who is the real things as a dancer/singer/actor/comedian.

Stephen Bogardus gives the show gravitas, and his plaintive rendition of "Count Your Blessings" to the little girl had me wiping my eyes.

The choreography by Randy Skinner is like a shot of theatrical antidepressant. Such energy and dynamics! And he was helped by a terrific ensemble, most notably Matthew Kirk, Jacob ben Widmar and Megan Jimenez.

But Lorna hits the role out of the park.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 8:37am

First thread on this piece that made me want to see the show. Too bad this company is on the road.

I think the score and imagery of WHITE CHRISTMAS resonates deeply for most baby boomers. But not -- like, say CHRISTMAS STORY -- because it captures childhood. The postwar America it depicts is the almost MAD MEN era adult one we recall surrounding our childhoods, the kitsch fur-trimmed 50's clothes, the glittery holiday palette, and the sense that the Christmas season also belonged to chic, partying grown-ups. I remember my parents' parties in the late 50's (vaguely!), the house decorated in that postwar sophistication that in a way was the opposite of the waiting-for-Santa small town Norman Rockwell covers. Children are participants, but there was something alluring and cozy at the same time about watching adults don their holiday duds, sip cocktails and enjoy the merriment for themselves. WHITE CHRISTMAS absolutely captures that quality. I may have to buy a ticket.

Updated On: 12/2/09 at 08:37 AM

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 9:55am

For those in Philadelphia, I just received an email from the Kimmel Center about discount code HOLIDAY valid for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday *evening* performances only for Balcony and back.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 1:48pm

Since some of you have seen this you may be interested to know that Rosie O'Donnell auditioned for the Luft role but was passed over. Rosie admitted it was a belting role and she can't belt (and can't really sing). This was revealed on her blog yesterday. Just FYI.

P

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 3:22pm

"How is Lorna Luft in 'White Christmas'??"

First of all I read that wrong or it reads funny to me, like "how", as is "how did Lorna come to be in WC" as opposed to "reviews of Lorna". Anyway, I was about to get indignant, like "you're lucky Lorna even agreed to a supporting part since she is soooo divine."

I saw the tour last year and it warmed my heart. Lorna could only make Martha even more of a standout. Im sorry to miss her. I hope Lorna gets some starring roles. She is tremendous and deserves bigger and better parts.

[TheaterBoy7777]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 4:43pm

If we happen to get a third incarnation in the city next year I hope she makes it to the Great White Way to reprise the role