White Christmas [CAST RECORDING]

Irving Berlin (Artist), Anastasia Barzee (Artist), Brian d'Arcy James (Artist), Jeffry Denman (Artist), Karen Morrow (Artist), Meredith Patterson (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 17, 2006)
• Original Release Date: October 17, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Ghostlight
• ASIN: B000ICLTFA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,647 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
A bright splash of holiday cheer, Irving Berlin's White Christmas is a stage version of the classic 1954 Bing Crosby film. The plot is basically the same: two GIs (Brian D'Arcy James and Jeffry Denman in the Bing and Danny Kaye roles) become a song-and-dance team after World War II, run into a couple of dames (Anastasia Barzee and Meredith Patterson in the Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen roles), then head up to Vermont with the girls to put on a show in a barn to save the inn run by their former commanding officer. The familiar songs are borrowed from the show ("Sisters," "Snow," "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," the title tune), augmented by other Berlin hits ("I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," "I Love a Piano," "Let Yourself Go") and snappily orchestrated in period style by Larry Blank. The four principals are the ones who debuted the show in San Francisco in 2004, plus Karen Morrow as Martha Watson. Irving Berlin's White Christmas is already becoming a favorite for major repertory companies to perform during the holiday season. --David Horiuchi

Product Description
'Tis the season, and all the more reason to be jolly - a new stage adaptation of the beloved classic film White Christmas is coming to a theatre near you this season. This new holiday tradition made its stage debut on 2004 in San Francisco, garnering rave reviews and establishing it status as a don't miss Holiday show. The show expanded last year and played in Boston & Los Angeles.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL! They don't write shows like this anymore, November 1, 2006

By	Tony "musicaltheatreguy" (Colorado) - See all my reviews

Using songs from the 1954 film, and a few other gems and even unknown treasures from the Berlin cannon, the show creators have put together a very strong, enjoyable score that out-performs anything offered on Broadway in recent memory. The orchestrations are lush, the cast seems very well suited for the material, and the interpretaion both pays homage to the classic film, and finds new life for itself. All in all-- an EXCELLENT project.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gives new life to the classic film story..., November 12, 2007

By	Ruth Anderson "Book Reviewer" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Irving Berlin's White Christmas: White Christmas is one of the best musicals ever made - make that one of the best movies ever made. I absolutely adore it. This CD is the soundtrack to the stage version of the film. I so want to see this show. If the music is any indication, the show is an absolute blast. It's chock-full of the classic Irving Berlin songs from the movie, with the addition of other Berlin classics such as "Happy Holiday," "Blue Skies," "How Deep Is the Ocean," and "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm." The arrangements positively hum with energy - the music has a full, big-band flavor. And the principal vocalists, led by Brian d'Arcy James and Jeffrey Denman, are terrific - they don't try to imitate their filmic predecessors Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen. If they had, that would've equaled disaster. What makes this album work is that you are given top-notch Broadway singers performing timeless Berlin tunes with life and energy. They're not trying to present a carbon copy of the film onstage - the show is more of a love letter to the film, if you will. The story's been tweaked, some of the movie's songs eliminated ("Choreography" is no great loss IMO) or rearranged, but the nostalgic heart of the film's story is vibrantly present.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully tuneful and vintage feel make this a winner., January 9, 2007

By	Ryff Wolf "tomovieboy70" (Southern CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The cast album (the San Francisco production with Karen Morrow added) of the touring production of Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS is delightful from start to finish. Full Broadway-style arrangements and orchestrations of the film tunes supplemented by Berlin catalog songs are razzmatazz vintage 1950s style, which makes this set engaging and spirited. Especially when it's as well sung as this is by Broadway pros young and old - not to denigrate Karen Morrow's age in any way, she's a great addition to this set as the show-biz vet housekeeper. The whole score is full of sparkle and memories, bolstered by some terrific production numbers - first-act finale "Blue Skies" and second-act showstopper "I Love a Piano" are supreme - and new takes on faves "Happy Holidays", "Snow" and "What Can You Do with A General?". Morrow delivers in socko fashion on her solo "Let Me Sing a Happy Song" and provides superb support on the interpolated charm song trio "Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun". Everyone gives themselves to the spirit and style of this songstack, it's a fantastic souvenir of the show and a welcome addition to anyone's original cast album collection. Lots of good feelings all the way round and you'll listen to this one over and over again, whether it's holiday time or not!