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By Ayanna Eckblad

Albert Lea Community Theater’s opening night of their Christmas show, “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” will take place Thursday at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

The musical is based on the 1954 movie, “White Christmas,” which turned 70 in October.

According to the show’s description on ACT’s website, “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” tells the story of veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, two friends who have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. They follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge owned by Bob and Phil’s former Army commander.

It includes not only the perennial title song, “White Christmas,” but also other well known songs, “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” and “How Deep is the Ocean.”

Gordy Handeland is the director of the play. He is joined by musical director Diane Heaney and choreographer Bridget Halverson.

Because music and dance is so central to the story, ACT’s production has been in the works for months with the 17-piece orchestra beginning rehearsals in mid-September.

Handeland said he has directed plays since around 2008. He mainly does summer musicals with prior shows including “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Cinderella,” “Willy Wonka” and “Annie.”

This will be his fourth time directing “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.”

“It’s been a family favorite for years,” he said. “The movie itself is 70 years old this year, so it’s been around for a long time.”

He said he has seen the film several times, and he knows people have high expectations when they go to see a familiar musical such as this one.

“People expect the dancing. They expect the good singing,” he said. “There’s so many good songs in this one.”

Handeland said one of his favorite parts of directing this year’s show is getting to know people he has not met before. This includes married couple Linda and Robert McComas-Wood, who moved to Owatonna from the Philadelphia area a few months ago.

“This is our first endeavor here in Minnesota, and it’s been amazing with the talent that we’ve been working with. It’s kind of daunting,” said Linda, who plays the role of Martha.

Robert said he has always loved doing shows around Christmas time. He began playing the Grinch when he was in college. He plays General Waverly.

Both of the McComas-Woods said they have seen the movie “White Christmas” but decided not to watch the film to prepare for playing their respective roles.

“Martha’s character is very different in the movie than it is in the play,” Linda said. “And I didn’t want to be influenced at all.”

Robert had a similar philosophy.

“I like to do my own research, build the character myself and go from there,” he said.

Linda added she hopes the traditional message of kindness in the show is able to resonate with the audience.

Although there are new faces, there are also actors who have been involved with ACT for a long time. One such person is Selah Griffith, who plays Betty Haynes.

Griffith has also acted in “Fiddler on the Roof,” “A Christmas Carol,” “Cinderella” and “State Fair.”

She describes her character, Betty, as someone who is scared of falling in love and getting hurt.

“She’s very strong, but in a 1950s way,” Griffith said. “She’s strong, but she’s traditional. She’s still polite.”

Another longtime ACT actor, Garrin Loveland, is a dancer in the show this year. He had not seen the movie until about a week before auditions were held. He said he loved the film, especially the dancing.

“That looks fun. I hope I get to do that,” Loveland said.

“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday as well as Dec. 11 through 14. There will also be a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 877-730-3144 (service fees apply), online at actonbroadway.com or at the box office. Tickets are also available at the Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more information on tickets and box office hours, visit the ACT website.

Cast
Bob Wallace: Noah Iverson
Phil Davis: Aaron Zogg
Betty Haynes: Selah Griffith
Judy Haynes: Christie Ness
General Waverly: Robert McComas-Wood
Martha Watson: Linda McComas-Wood
Susan Waverly: Charley Collins
Ralph Sheldrake: Jackson Bighley
Rita: Kristi White
Rhoda: Liana Schallock
Ezekial Foster: Jon Cochran
Mickey, stage manager: Emma McColley
Snoring man: Tony Huizinga
Mrs. Snoring man: Amber Mattson
Seamstress: Karen Bartley
Assistant seamstress: Emma McColley
Tessie: Michelle Supalla
Jimmy: Matt Larson
Jimmy’s Quartet: Steve Stoneking, Tony Huizinga, Michelle Supalla, Amber Mattson
Featured Dancers: Garrin Loveland, Gretta Larson
Ensemble: Mady Schlaak, Grace Starman, Audrey Gustafson
Train Conductor: Garrin Loveland
Announcer: Steve Stoneking
Cigarette girl: Grace Starman
Dance captain: Gretta Larson

Production staff
Director: Gordy Handeland
Music director: Diane Heaney
Technical director/set designer: Mark Bartleson
Lighting designer: Dietrich Poppen
Choreographer: Bridget Halverson
Assistant choreographer: Christie Ness
Stage manager: Amber Mattson
Production manager: Kristan Dye, Cristy Fuller
Props, set dressing: Gordy Handeland, Crystal Schatz
Costumes: Adele Rosnow, Corissa Schwartz
Make-up: Eleanora Mykkanen
Lights: Sue Runden, Brady Schlaak
Sound: Bennett Schlaak

Orchestra
Reeds: Michael Hanson, Benjamin Jahnke, Ruby Mykkanen, Adrianne Wilder, Carter Vogel
Horn: Tony Whelan
Trumpet: Tim Davis, Trenton Mikels, Maxx Richards
Trombone: Brenda Wichman
Drums: Todd Peterson
Violins: Rebecca Crissinger, Deb Cooper, Jane Hanson
Cello: Anna Laskowske
Bass: Parker Jensen
Keyboard: Aaron Bartz, Diane Heaney