Phil Davis (Bryce Wiley), Judy Haynes (Reagan Gray), Betty Haynes (Heidi Willis-Smith) and Bob Wallace (Alex McRoy), celebrate the holidays as they sing Irving Berlin’s classic White Christmas during rehearsal at SIC.
Fall weather may be hanging around, but the Christmas season is almost here, and the Southeastern Illinois College theatre will usher in the holiday season by presenting Irving Berlin’s White Christmas on Dec. 2-4.
The popular musical (made so by Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney in 1954) is directed by SIC’s theatre instructor and co-division chair of humanities, Allan Kimball.
Based on the beloved, timeless, film, this heartwarming musical adaptation features seventeen Irving Berlin songs. In the storyline, veterans Bob Wallace (Alex McRoy of Harrisburg) and Phil Davis (Bryce Wiley of West Frankfort) have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters (Reagan Gray of Eldorado and Heidi Willis-Smith of Harrisburg) en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander (Bodie Beckman of Galatia).
Far from home on Christmas Eve 1944, the men of the 151st Division celebrate the holidays during rehearsal of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at SIC.
Additional lead roles include Hannah Owen of Harrisburg as Martha Watson and Sarah Baldwin of Eldorado as Susan Waverly.
“This is such a big production that we started rehearsals much earlier than usual back in early October before our children’s performance even hit the stage,” said Kimball. “With nearly 60 cast members and a famous film to live up to, these students have been committed to putting forth extra effort, and I believe the audiences will be pleased.”
Managing the stage once again is Aaron McRoy, and music instructor Cory Garmane will be conducting. Josh Kimball is the choreographer for the show, and costumes are being designed by Janet Hart and Gareth York. John Hart of Hart’s Music in Harrisburg will once again provide sound equipment.
Along with the musical, SIC is hosting two events alongside White Christmas.
A Holiday Dinner catered by BBQ Barn in Harrisburg will take place Friday, Dec. 2 at 5:45 p.m. in the theatre lobby. Dinner will include barbecued chicken breast, sliced smoked pork loin, garlic and cheese mashed potatoes, green beans and bread pudding for dessert. The cost is $25 per person or $130 for a table of six, and includes tickets to see White Christmas immediately following dinner that evening. There will also be special silent auction items up for bid during the dinner and at intermission on Friday night only. Silent auction items include cabin rentals, floral arrangements, dinners, wine tastings, framed photos, and much more. Seating is limited and must be reserved by Monday, Nov. 28.
SIC will also host a Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 3 from 9-11 a.m. in the Harry L. Crisp Student Center Cafeteria. The cost is $5 per person and will include a pancake breakfast and a picture with Santa, as well as other fun activities for the children, such as making snow with Jack Frost and hearing stories told by Santa’s elves. Upon registration for this event, tickets to White Christmas can be purchased at a discounted rate of $5 for any showing. Registration is requested by Nov. 28.
The Friday and Saturday performances of White Christmas will begin at 7 p.m. and Sunday’s performance at 2 p.m. All performances will be in the George T. Dennis Visual and Performing Arts Center Theatre. Seating is reserved. Admission is $10 and the cost for students, staff, and seniors is $8. Reservations for the Holiday Dinner, Breakfast with Santa, and tickets to performances may be reserved by calling 618-252-5400, ext. 2468 or ext. 2487, or 618-841-4649 or emailing[email protected].
More information about these events and more can be found at www.sic.edu/events.
