Goodspeed's "White Christmas the Musical" outdoes the classic movie's feel-good factor

My holiday season would not be complete without watching the 1954 movie "White Christmas" for an annual dose of its musical magic and heartwarming message. Yet, in the many years, actually decades, I've watched Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen sing and dance their way through falling in love and venerating the past of a retired World War II general, I've never felt a personal feel-goodness from the schmaltzy seasonal mainstay. That is, not until seeing it onstage at the Goodspeed Opera House last week.

That's live musical theater for you. No screen, no matter how wide, can outdo a stage when it comes to pressing pause on the real world - to enter a realm where song and dance alleviates the sharps and flats our everyday lives.

For those who need a reminder of "White Christmas’ “ secular miracle - World World II veterans and successful song and dance team Bob Wallace and Phil Davis follow singing sisters Betty and Judy Haynes to a Vermont inn for a Christmas gig. By chance, they find their former Army commander, General Waverly, owns the lodge which is close to financial ruin. To make matters worse, days before Christmas there isn't a snowflake in sight.

As is only possible in a musical theater world, the vets set out to save the Columbia Inn within a few days by orchestrating a huge show onsite (unbeknownst to the General) with the help of Big Time NY contacts. Ed Sullivan, for one, facilitates a nationwide plea over the TV airwaves directed to Waverly's former 151st Armored Division.

Goodspeed's energetic cast and ensemble add unstoppable entertainment to the rescue mission under the direction of choreographer Kelli Barclay who assisted Randy Skinner in the original remake of the movie for the St. Louis Muny stage in 2000. She took over for Skinner in a 2006 revival and brought that experience to the Goodspeed stage, ready to face the challenge of limited space.

As the essential love stories go, Jonalyn Saxer’s sedate portrayal of older sister Judy affords her time to grow her attraction to wheeler-dealer Bob (Omar Lopez-Cepero). That in itself accentuates sister Betty's (Lauren Nicol Chapman) flirting-at-first-sight with ladies man Phil (Clyde Alves). Judy's consistent resolve also lends an "older but wiser" impact to her classic torch song in Act II ("Love You Didn't Do Right By Me) after having seemingly been "done wrong."

To the contrary, the power-packed duo of Phil and Betty, at first introduction, convincingly escape the reality of a crowded night club scene with the musical's first show-stopper, as they tap away to "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing " - only to be topped by the dancing duo’s opening of Act II with "I Love a Piano." While the pair could not actually dance on the spinet piano substituted for the movie's grand, to save onstage space, their hop-skip-and-jumping on and off large keyboard-decorated boxes do the trick. Special note goes to the swirling keyboard backdrop that, together with the movement of the box props, offered a kaleidoscopic effect to the number.

For all the iconic song and dance percolating throughout the production, the close of Act I tips its hat to original movie choreographer, Robert Alton. In a rehearsal of the impending show at the inn, Bob masterfully leads the ensemble through "Blue Skies," a dance characterized by Alton's more modern blend of smooth grace and sharp angles - interspersed with energetic tap. The number simmers at the start as it builds to a white hot end to Act I, suggesting the more complicated path Bob has to winning Betty's heart with every movement.

Two secondary roles from the movie -- Martha, the inn manager and Susan, the general's granddaughter -- expand in the stage production. Both gals catch the performing fever from the visiting entertainers, inducing Martha (Aurelia Williams) to grab a baton in Act I and belt out "Let Me Sing and I'm Happy," in nothing less than Ethel Merman fashion. Demur Susan (Sofie Nesanelis) becomes a impressive mini-Merman when she grabs hold of that same baton in Act II, imitating Martha"s every word, twirl and high kick, to the delight of the audience.

As one would expect in a classic holiday musical: the Columbia Inn fills to capacity with the General's former battalion, Bob and Betty kiss and make-up, and of course, snow does fall by the curtain's Christmas Eve end. As the days race to and through our own holiday peaks and troughs, pausing to take in the musical theater magic of the Goodspeed's "White Christmas" is sure of bring on a respite of comfort and joy.

“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” runs through Dec. 31 at the Goodspeed Opera House, 6 Main St., East Haddam. Performances are Wednesdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 and 6:30 p.m. There are added Tuesday performances on Dec. 23 and 30 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; 2 p.m. matinees on Nov. 28 and Dec. 4, 18 and 26. There is no 6:30 p.m. performance on Dec. 21 or 7:30 p.m. performances on Dec. 24 and 31 and no performances on Dec. 25. $35-$91. goodspeed.org.