REVIEW: “White Christmas” Again Dazzles With Heart, Soul and Style, at Rock Island’s Circa ‘21
Classic entertainment is classic for a reason, and freshly tugs at our heartstrings every time, even though we may know every musical note, or spoken line.
This time-tested formula is not guaranteed, for nostalgia only works when you have performers who have the professionalism, poise and polish to turn familiar pieces (both timeless and unforgettable) into something gloriously new, urgent and overpoweringly emotional as if we’re feeling them all for the first time – as John Denver wrote, “Comin’ home to a place he’d never been before.”
As it’s true with the staggeringly beautiful “Sound of Music” now at Quad City Music Guild in Moline, we’re treated to another perfect rendition of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” at Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, Rock Island, just three years after it unwrapped the flawless, gleaming gift in a production with a number of the same key players.
But rather than a “ho-hum, I’ve-seen-this-before” rote repetition, the tireless male leads Kyle DeFauw and Bobby Becher again sleekly step into the song-and-dance shoes of Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, dazzling us with their immense heart, soul and style (some of that certainly due to their impressive acting abilities).
The cast of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” running through Dec. 28, 2025 at Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse.
Three years ago after seeing this show, I wrote: “DeFauw is the total package – a drop-dead gorgeous singing voice (a velvety, buttery tenor), as well as a magnetic stage presence, relatable and sincere, with confident, smooth dancing moves.”
That all is on display in the new production, but given the dance demands of Phil’s role, Becher seems the more confident and polished hoofer.
Again directed and choreographed with endless panache and affection by Ashley Becher (Bobby’s uber-talented wife), this exuberant, effervescent “White Christmas” gives the entertaining men and the rest of this excellent cast many opportunities to create picture-perfect moments, songs and scenes.
Based on the iconic 1954 film starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, veterans Bob and Phil have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II, following the opening Christmas Eve 1944 scene, where (with fellow veteran Sheldrake, played by Circa vet Tristan Tapscott) they sing the beloved chestnut, “White Christmas,” originally penned by Berlin in 1942.
With romance in mind, Bob and Phil (the former is cynical and Scrooge-like, and latter more idealistic and playful) follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former Army commander.
Brynne Davidson (left), Kiera Lynn, Bobby Becher, Sarah Beth Ganey, Savannah Rhodes, and Elly Rebeka.
Featuring a classy, elegant score with well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the timeless title song, “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” is a nonstop visual and sonic treat.
Bob literally meets his match in the love department, as he’s side by side (in split screen mode) with Betty Haynes (Claire McPartland, in her amazing Circa debut) as they sing how unreliable affection can be, in their “Love and the Weather.”
McPartland and Sarah Beth Ganey make a solid sibling pair, as Betty and Judy, from the start in their cute duet “Sisters.” Phil falls for Judy, and Becher and Ganey strut their stuff in the intoxicating “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing,” which naturally features superb, sparkling choreography they seem to effortlessly unfurl in a variety of styles, including waltz and Latin.
Sarah Hayes (who comes right from her great work in Circa’s “Come From Away”) is another standout from the 2022 holiday production, ideally embodying the fittingly named Martha “Megaphone” Watson and she showcases her big, brassy voice in “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy.” With a top hat and cane, Hayes makes it into a walloping, blissful showstopper.
The cast of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” running through Dec. 28, 2025 at Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse.
Supporting performers who also make big impressions are Topher Elliott as the wildly loud, super-stressed stage manager Jimmy (they really are going to put on a show in that barn), and Kiera Lynn and Brynne Davidson as the flirty, loud Rita and Rhoda, in very short blue skirts (isn’t it, um, winter?).
Paul Gregory Nelson is spot-on as the gruff, flinty general, who doesn’t know anything about show business, and of course later turns out to have a mushy heart of gold.
True to the bountiful gifts of the holiday season, the magic moments flow one after the other in this priceless production.
When Bob finds young Susan (alternately played by Elena Skadal and Dace Sommer) unable to sleep, and scared of her grandpa (the general), DeFauw comforts her with “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.” As she falls to dreamland, amid a starlit backdrop, the song becomes a romantic duet between Bob and Betty.
The cast of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” running through Dec. 28, 2025 at Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse.
Also returning in the Circa crew are set designer Becky Meissen and costume designer Bradley Robert Jensen, who lend their wondrous color and sensitivity to the show, including the spectacular group numbers “Blue Skies” and “I Love a Piano,” which close Act I and open Act II, respectively, and reveal exacting, synchronized movements.
DeFauw leads “Blue Skies” with his smooth, seductive voice, and Becher leads “I Love a Piano” with impeccable grace, as he and Ganey again are tremendous in a very demanding, extended ensemble dance.
Hayes, Ganey and McPartland are great in three-part harmonies in their Andrews Sisters-style “Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun,” and more fun is definitely had as Becher and DeFauw do their “Sisters” reprise with their big feathery fans.
McPartland and DeFauw gave me chills in their combined club number, alternating stunning solos in “Love, You Didn’t Do Right By Me” and “How Deep Is the Ocean.” McPartland is simply statuesque, passionate and mesmerizing in her torch song, decked out in a black dress with long silver, sparkly gloves. Kyle and Claire are both touching and powerful.
Tristan Layne Tapscott (left), Bobby Becher, Kyle DeFauw, and Paul Gregory Nelson.
The show is fittingly bookended by Christmas Eve scenes, a decade apart, both with heartfelt singalongs of the title number.
Special mention must be made of the clever medley during the Bootleggers’ pre-show, which included Christmas classics (like “Let It Snow” and “Winter Wonderland”), as well as popular songs celebrating all the seasons and the change in weather.
Listening to the main show, I hadn’t realized how many of the “White Christmas” songs are also meteorological – “Snow,” “Love and the Weather,” “Blue Skies,” the title song and even “How Deep Is the Ocean,” with its roses sprinkled with dew.
Claire McPartland and Kyle DeFauw play Betty Haynes and Bob Wallace in Circa ’21’s new production of “White Christmas.”
Even though we’re headed into cold season, this terrific production fills our hearts with warmth, and shows Christmas doesn’t always have to be white to be merry and bright.
“White Christmas” will run at Circa ’21 through Dec. 28, with performances on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday matinées at 1:15 p.m. Pre-show entertainment featuring the theatre’s waitstaff the Bootleggers will also precede all performances.
Tickets are $70 for the Friday – Sunday dinner-and-show productions and $63 for the Wednesday shows. Reduced prices for students, seniors, and groups of 12 or more are also available.
Reservations are available through the Circa ’21 ticket office, 1828 3rd Ave., Rock Island or by calling 309-786-7733 ext. 2. You can also visit circa21.com to reserve your seats online.
“I Love a Piano” from Circa ’21’s new production of “White Christmas.”
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