What’s the Buzz? WHITE CHRISTMAS is pure escapism at MSMT
About this blog:
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What's the Buzz" covers what's happening, what might be happening, and what should be happening in the opinion of the author.
Eleanor Cade Busby is an unpublished award-winning writer, photographer and blogger & simply loves writing about herself in third person.She published this absolutely all true bio.
Busby grew up all over New England,a preacher's kid who set out to destroy every single stereotype about a "Minister's Daughter."
She attended Goddard College, The Rhode Island Conservatory of Music and The School of Life, majoring in everything she could stuff into her head. She once had her own office and a red stapler. Her employees learned quickly never to touch it.
Much of her very long life has been spent on or back-stage at theaters. She penned a couple of plays, directed many more and acted in scores of productions. She's done it all except hanging lighting. You can't make her climb a ladder.
She won awards locally & nationally for social services and customer care. Most recently she was awarded the PEN/Toni and James C. Goodale Freedom of Expression Courage Award along with 3 million of her closest personal friends for "galvanizing a potent global movement to resist infringements on the rights and dignity of women and many other groups."
Busby has been a theater, art and dance reviewer and commentator for several publications, including CRACKED magazine.
Opinionated, obstinate, much-abused, and under-appreciated, she believes that if it isn't funny or relevant, it isn't worth it.
Eleanor Cade Busby lives in Midcoast Maine with two cats who like to stand on her head at 3 AM demanding a sacrifice, often her sanity.
Suggestions for topics and comments are always welcome at eleanorcadebusby@hotmail.com
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Pure escapism, just when we need it, “White Christmas” at MSMT.
If there was ever a time when we needed to hark back to a sweeter time, it is now. MSMT has transformed the Pickard Theater into a wonderland, complete with a Christmas market for early shopping and trees around every corner. There are vendors and even live music at intermission.
“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” is the perfect choice for right this minute in time. We are tired. The holidays are far away and things are so hot that melting seems possible. Curt Dale Clark and his volunteers have worked magic and it is good for the soul.
As Bob Wallace, Will Ray is charming. Thankfully, he is not Bing Crosby- he doesn’t croon or play on a type. He delivers a human- and we need more of that. He sings beautifully and dances like a dream. The dear rendition of “Count Your Blessings,” which woos his lady love without his knowledge was perfection. As his love interest, Betty Haynes, Kerry Conte is genuine and lovely. Let’s face it the story itself is thin- she would never have run away – she would have confronted him- but who cares? We came to get away from the real world, and so we did. Her big number, “Love You Didn’t Do Right By Me,” is sung with a deep and sultry alto that works the song to perfection.
“The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing”- well they did for Daniel Plimpton and Darien Crago who met in “Holiday Inn” and are married in real life. Plimpton as Phil Davis is a great comic sidekick and his charm makes the instant love with Crago as Judy Haynes work. I’m sure they are tired of being told they are adorable-but… they are. They can and do dance the walls up down and sideways with the audience cheering with breathless appreciation. That all takes an incredible amount of very hard work- Olympic one might say- and that goes for the entire troupe If there existed an Olympic Gold for tapdancing the production number “I Love A Piano” wins. Remember being able to balance? Dance in tap heels? I do, barely- and not much more than a time step. These kids- all of them- give this old performer hope for a new generation. Broadway musicals- the old style, will never die if dancers like these keep on tapping. Plimpton and Crago have the audience in the palm of their hands.
David Girolmo is a heart tugging General Waverly. There were more than a few wet eyes as audience members saw service people they know, knew , or were themselves in the General who feels that his purpose is over. David Girolmo is fully present and familiar in every moment. One wishes there were bigger parts for him- he never strikes a false note nor does he “act” – he simply is REAL. Thank you, good sir.
Charis Leos gives an endearing and just the right sidekick balance to Girolmo. As Martha, the General’s housekeeper, who longs to be back on the stage she tears down the house in “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy.” I love to see Leos in her element and this is it- full voiced, having a helluva good time and sharing it with us. She radiates a love for the stage that shines over the footlights.
On opening night, Charlotte Van Ledtje played Susan, the obligatory sweet grandchild the girl and she knocked it out of the park in the reprise of “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy.”
Mark Aldrich is note perfect as New England handyman, Ezekial Foster, who shuffles across the stage, murmuring “Ayup” to just about everything, but who then has a breakout moment of song and dance. You just knew it was in there.
The principal cast of “White Christmas” features Will Ray (Bob Wallace), Daniel Plimpton (Phil Davis), Kerry Conte (Betty Haynes), and Darien Crago (Judy Haynes). MSMT fan favorites Charis Leos and David Girolmo grace the stage as Martha Watson and General Henry Waverly, respectively. Laura Guzmán, Scout Martin, and Charlotte Van Ledtje will alternate the role of Susan. The ensemble includes Karoline Brechter, Mark Aldrich, Joe Capstick, Thomas Dalceredo, Mary Beth Donahoe, Jasmine Gillenwaters, Tauren Hagans, Jessica Hoadley, Calista Jones, Tyler Johnson-Campion, Emily Kelly, Nate Krohmer, Christian Miller, Lav Raman, Mandie Rapoza, Eric Rivas, Jeff Sullivan, and Mark Tran Russ.
Ensemble members are all exceptional. Dance Captains Tyler Johnson Campion and Emily Kelly deserve kudos for their role in helping to bring this complex show to life with pizzazz.
Marc Robin directs and choreographs the production, with musical direction by Brian Cimmet. The creative team also includes Jeff Hendry (Costume Design), Paul Black (Lighting Design), Robert Kovach (Scenic Design), Shannon Slaton (Sound Design), Colin Reibel (Projections), Kevin S. Foster II (Wig Design), and Iván Dario Cano (Production Stage Manager).
Celebrate Christmas in July with the Maine State Music Theatre’s spectacular production of Irving Berlin's “White Christmas.” Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at the MSMT Box Office or online at www.msmt.org.
Photographs courtesy MSMT, Jared Morneau, photographer
WHITE CHRISTMAS runs from July 17- August 3, 2024, at MSMT’s Pickard Theater on the campus of Bowdoin College, 1 Bath Rd., Brunswick, ME 207-725-8769 www.msmt.org
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