Pennsylvania Playhouse has staged a charming and rewarding “White Christmas” through Dec. 22 at the playhouse, 390 Illick’s Mill Road, Bethlehem.
The show fills the playhouse’s stage with tuneful songs accompanied by plenty of high-energy tap-dancing.
Smoothly anchoring “White Christmas” is the suave and professional Anthony Hahn playing the song and dance man Bob Wallace. Hahn initially projects a world-weary air, but comes around slowly, but satisfyingly, as he spars with Lucy Moore’s overly cautious Betty.
Hahn is in fine voice on standards like “Blue Skies,” and leading the ensemble on “White Christmas” and “Happy Holidays.”
Bob’s partner Phil Davis is played with humor and a comical touch of subterfuge by Armand Reiser. Reiser also adds nice harmonies to the mens’ duet numbers. Reiser and Hahn are particularly hilarious on the reprise of “Sisters.”
Lucy Moore’s Betty is hopeful but wary, as she tiptoes into romance. Moore has a great voice for torch style songs and sounds just right on “Love You Didn’t Do Right by Me.”
Hahn and Moore also blend well in their duets on “Love and the Weather,” “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” and “How Deep is the Ocean,” all of which are enjoyably melodic.
Judy is perky and vivacious as played by Caitlin McDermott. McDermott’s and Moore’s “Sisters” is well done and lots of fun. It is is believable that Bob and Phil would be charmed by the women.
McDermott also pairs well with Reiser in numbers like “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing” and “I Love a Piano.”
Zoli Heft and Ava Sardi are covers for the roles of Betty and Judy respectively, and will go on in the roles on Dec. 13.
Bob and Phil’s former World War II commander General Waverly is played with just the right amount of gruffness and bluster by Mark Boyer.
Nancy Sturm is appealing as the inn’s no-nonsense concierge Martha, who secretly harbors a desire to break out on stage to dance and sing. The general’s precocious granddaughter, Susan, is played winningly by Luci Schneck.
Mackenzie Lewis and Marissa Brewer are delightful as Rita and Rhoda, a pair of bubbly dancer who lead the ensemble in the many energetic dance numbers, choreographed by Joey Schubert.
Gary Boyer has a funny turn as terse farmhand Ezekial and a little spotlight in the entertaining “Snow.”
The entire cast comes together for the memorable finale "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm."
The cast also includes Sean McFarland, Keith Miller, Thomas McElhinny, Abbey Gildner, Misha Holt, Nicole Shelly, Johnny Bertone, Lisa Suppan and Sara Woodring, many of whom shine in small roles.
Brett Oliviera’s set is simple but effective, opening and closing for different scenes.
Todd Burkel’s costumes are attractive and eye-catching.
Director Parker Ryan keeps the all the parts moving cohesively and music director Amanda Haag makes everyone sound good.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $15 for students.. The Dec. 14 performance is “pay what you are able.”
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 19, 20 and 21; 3 p.m. Dec. 15 and 22; and 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 14.
For information, call 610-865-6665, or go to www.paplayhouse.org/