The holidays are a time of sentiment and of commerce. One of the responsibilities of a performing arts organization is to develop the commerce side of things. To do otherwise would be irresponsible.
The bottom line is sometimes the bottom line.
The holiday show is usually an important factor in a regional theater company's yearly revenue. This year, for the first time, the Denver Center Theatre Company joined with its cousin organization, Denver Center Attractions, to produce a holiday show rather than produce separate ventures and thereby cut into each other's potential box office receipts.
It makes sense for the two producing entities, both housed at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. But the joint venture, "Irving Berlin's White Christmas," feels more like commerce than seasonal sentiment.
Much creative energy went into building the show, based on the 1954 film starring Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. And this "White Christmas" is a marvel in many ways. It's grand spectacle. If any expense was spared in bringing the design team's ideas to life on stage at the Buell, it doesn't show.
Sets, lights and costumes are terrific. Patti Colombo's choreography is top-shelf. It's all very seductive. But what's underneath all the visuals is less than appealing.
The story is trite and nearly soulless. Adapted from the original screenplay by Paul Blake and (the usually clever) David Ives, its jokes are remarkable stale. Most of them limp along like a toy that breaks an hour after it's been pulled from beneath the Christmas tree.
A scene in which several characters end up in a train car headed north during Christmas is so patronizing, it plays the way bad children's theater sometimes does. And a Jewish character who gets a few "Happy Hanukkahs" thrown his way -- a bit that wasn't in the film -- is simply politically correct nonsense.
The story involves a pair of World War II soldiers who work as entertainers after the war, and the pair of singing sisters they romance. The four characters end up at a retired commander's New England hotel, where they help save the day by putting on a show.
As one of the romantic pairings, Benjie Randall (Phil) and Kate Marilley (Judy) tear it up whenever they break into a dance number. Their nimble moves on "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing" highlight the first act, as does the snazzy "Blue Skies" just before intermission, which features the duo, plus Andrew Samonsky (Bob) and chorus ensemble, decked out in elegant white.
Samonsky boasts a tremendous baritone, which fills the Buell Theatre on several of Berlin's songs, including the title number. He and Amy Bodnar (as Betty) offer a lovely duet during "Count Your Blessings." But the romantic pairing lacks chemistry elsewhere.
Mike Hartman, who plays General Henry Waverly with crotchety charm, finally gives the production some heart when he addresses a group of gathered former soldiers.
Yet, while the Denver Center Theatre Company -- which handled casting and directing -- proves it can put on a big, Broadway-style show with "White Christmas," count me among those who miss DCTC's annual "A Christmas Carol."
DCTC had staged the Charles Dickens classic 16 times, and, according to DCTC artistic director (and "White Christmas" director) Kent Thompson, the company needed a breather.
That's understandable. But sitting in the Buell, it's difficult not to compare that annual tradition with "White Christmas." It pales.
"A Christmas Carol" gets at the heart of the season. There's true transformation for its central character, and, when done well (as DCTC always does), it's transformative for the audience, too.
"White Christmas," with its glitz, spectacle and polish reflects the season, too. It's like a trip to the shopping mall.
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What "Irving Berlin's White Christmas"
When 7:30 p.m. today, Monday, Thursday and Dec. 28, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Dec. 29-30
Where Denver Center Theatre Company, Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets
Tickets $35-$95 Info 303-893-4100 or www.denvercenter.org
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The Dean Of American Songwriters
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