Phelps County and surrounding communities were treated to an outstanding performance of Irving Berlin’s iconic “White Christmas,” presented by the Missouri S&T Arts, Languages and Philosophy Department Thursday night at Leach Theatre.
Directed by Taylor Gruenloh, assistant professor in theatre at S&T, audiences will be treated to “White Christmas” again 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and a matinee 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at the box office at Leach Theatre and online at leachtheatre.mst.edu.
This is entertainment for the entire family, performed by a talented group of S&T students.
From the singing in “Happy Holidays” and “White Christmas” to the dancing in a number of the tunes, the show had a professional feel to it.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for youth under the age of 18 and Missouri S&T students with a valid S&T ID. Tickets can be purchased online at leachtheatre.mst.edu/tickets or by calling (573) 341-4219. Tickets can also be purchased at the Leach Theatre Box Office starting one hour before the performance.
Twenty percent of ticket sales Thursday night were donated to CASA of South Central Missouri, which provides advocacy for abused and neglected children in the court system.
For those who attended the Thursday show, the ticket price also included an opening night reception at Leach sponsored by CASA supporters Sherry and Ryan Stites. The reception featured holiday-themed refreshments, carolers and photo opportunities. Trees to be auctioned at CASA’s “Festival of Trees” Saturday, Dec. 7 event were on display at Castleman Hall during the opening-night reception.
Based on the 1954 movie with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, “White Christmas” follows Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, World War II veterans with a successful song-and-dance act. With romance in mind, they travel with a pair of beautiful singing sisters to their Christmas show at a struggling Vermont lodge owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander.
With a score featuring well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean?” and the classic title song, “White Christmas” the show was a big hit with those in attendance, living up to what people might expect from their favorite Christmas movie.
Starring in “White Christmas” are Nicolas Moore (Bob Wallace), Madison Kastner (Betty Haynes), Cody Peter (Phil Davis), Samanta Warren (Judy Haynes), Kevin Edwards (General Waverly), Amanda Hodges (Martha Watson), Emily Smith (Susan Waverly), Nathan Fischer (Ralph Sheldrake), Noah Thomas (Mike), Owen Farris (Ezekiel), Josie Schnelten (Rita) and Victoria Lovett (Rhoda).
Entertainment at Leach Theatre continues Friday, Dec. 13, with “Who Brought the Humbug?,” part of the Missouri S&T Campus Performing Arts Series. Information on the show and tickets are available at leachtheatre.mst.edu.
