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Overview

Synopsis

Soldiers Bob Wallace and Phil Davis served under General Henry Waverley in World War Two and, ten years later, they are still working together in a popular song and dance duo, Wallace and Davis. When they meet the singing sisters, Betty and Judy Haynes, Phil becomes enamoured with the beautiful Judy, while Bob is more reserved about his feelings for Betty. The two men follow the sisters up to their seasonal engagement at The Columbia Inn in Vermont. They discover the inn is owned by General Waverley but, unbeknownst to him, the inn is struggling to survive. With the help of Martha, the concierge, and the General’s granddaughter, Susan, Bob, Phil, Betty and Judy decide to put on a big show to draw in business.

Bob arranges for his old friend Ralph Sheldrake to bring the General’s former troops up to Vermont to support the show. Betty overhears Bob’s plans and misinterprets his intentions, believing that he wants to buy the inn instead. Confusion ensues as Betty leaves to go back to New York alone. Bob follows her to attempt to reconcile but, believing he has lost her, he goes on the Ed Sullivan Show to reach out to his former comrades. Back in Vermont, the rehearsals are coming to an end and the General is convinced to wear his uniform to watch the show. He is moved to see his former men return to support him and decides to put his efforts into making the inn a success. Betty returns to apologize to Bob and the couple finally declare their love for each other. With the show a huge success, Bob leads the whole theater in a rendition of “White Christmas”.

Show Information

Lyrics
Irving Berlin
Based on the Play/Book/Film
White Christmas (1954 film)
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2000
Genres
Comedy, Romance
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
America, 1954
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
Heavy
Ideal For
Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Child, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Bob Wallace

Lead

Male

Tenor

Phil Davis

Lead

Male

Baritone

Betty Haynes

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Judy Haynes

Lead

Female

Alto

General Henry Waverly

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Martha Watson

Supporting

Female

Alto

Susan Waverly

Supporting

Female

Ralph Sheldrake

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Rita

Featured

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Rhoda

Featured

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

Act One

*Happy Holidays / White Christmas (Pre-Reprise) - Bob, Phil, Ralph Sheldrake and Ensemble

*Happy Holidays / Let Yourself Go - Bob, Phil and Ensemble

Love and the Weather - Bob and Betty Haynes

*Sisters - Betty and Judy Haynes

*The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing - Phil, Judy and Ensemble

*Snow - Bob, Phil, Betty, Judy, and Ensemble

What Can You Do With a General? … - Martha Watson, Bob and Phil

Let Me Sing and I'm Happy - Martha and Ensemble

Count Your Blessings - Bob and Betty

*Blue Skies - Bob and Ensemble

Act Two

*I Love a Piano - Phil, Judy and Ensemble

Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun - Martha, Betty and Judy

*Sisters (Reprise) - Bob and Phil

Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me - Betty

How Deep Is the Ocean - Bob

We'll Follow the Old Man (Pre-Reprise) - Bob and Male Ensemble

Let Me Sing and I'm Happy (Reprise) - Susan Waverly

How Deep Is the Ocean (Reprise) - Bob and Betty

*We'll Follow the Old Man - Bob, Phil, Ralph and Male Ensemble

White Christmas - Bob and Company

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Full Company

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher