White Christmas, Irving Berlin’s much-loved musical will embark on a UK tour this winter, it has been announced.
Starring Jay McGuiness as Bob Wallace, Lorna Luft as Martha Watson, Michael Starke as General Waverly and Dan Burton, Jessica Daley and Monique Young returning in their roles as Phil Davis, Betty Haynes and Judy Haynes respectively.
Jay McGuiness’ theatre credits include Josh Baskin in Big The Musical at the Dominion Theatre and Rip It Up at the Garrick Theatre, both in London’s West End. He also starred as Sam in new musical Sleepless – A Musical Romance at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. Jay is best known as a member of boyband The Wanted, as well as winning BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2015.
Hailing from theatrical royalty, Lorna Luft (daughter of Judy Garland and Sydney Luft) is a star of stage and screen. Her credits include the role of Fran Kubelik in the original Broadway production of Promises, Promises, and the original Off-Broadway production of Snoopy! as Peppermint Patty. Lorna previously played the role of Martha Watson in the 2016 US tour of White Christmas. Her film credits include Grease 2, Where The Boys Are, 54 and My Giant.
Based on the iconic film, White Christmas follows two ex-army pals who team up with a pair of sisters to save a remote Vermont ski lodge that’s fallen on hard times. With a little mischief, a few misunderstandings and a whole lot of romance the musical comedy features breathtaking dance numbers by Stephen Mear (Mary Poppins) and some of great songs including Blue Skies, Sisters and the most famous festive song of all… White Christmas.
White Christmas opens at the Truro Hall for Cornwall (12 – 19 November) before visiting the Nottingham Theatre Royal (22 – 26 November), Sunderland Empire (28 November – 3 December) and Liverpool Empire (6 – 31 December).
The show has Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin and a Book by David Ives and Paul Blake. It is based on the original production by Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (Annie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s). It is directed by Ian Talbot OBE (High Society, Anything Goes) and choreographed by two-time Olivier Award-winning choreographer Stephen Mear CBE (Mary Poppins, Gypsy). Set Design is by Michael Taylor and Costume Design is by Diego Pitarch. Musical Supervision is by Stephen Brooker, Lighting Design by Mark Henderson and Sound Design by Tom Marshall. Orchestrations are by Larry Blank with New Musical arrangements by Jason Carr.
Tickets for Irving Berlin’s White Christmas are now booking.
