Theater Review: “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” by Landmark

Landmark Community Theatre is presenting a big production of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” on the vintage stage at the Thomaston Opera House just in time for the holidays.

Shelby Davis directed the large group of community theater performers with the help of Steffon Sampson, who as first time stage manager managed to keep the entire production in line.

The musical is based upon the Paramount Pictures film, featuring music and lyrics by Berlin for the book written by David Ives and Paul Blake.

The two stars of this production are the two young actresses that play the Haynes sisters. Katie Brunetto is wonderfully cast in the role of Betty Haynes and she works perfectly with the talented Brittany Mulcahy as Judy Haynes.

These two performers made “Sisters” memorable. Since both are accomplished dancers, they join the members of the dedicated ensemble to be part of the production numbers.

Mulcahy has been seen performing on professional and community theater stages all around Connecticut and Florida and looks like she is having the time of her life dancing in this energetic tap musical. She shines in “I Love a Piano” wearing a white skirt decorated with a musical score.

Brunetto, who most recently was a fabulous Mrs. Wormwood in “Matilda the Musical” at the Warner, works as a performing arts teacher, director and choreographer and holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of St. Joseph.

Sarah Fabrizio makes the most of the role of Martha, singing well in “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy” and “Falling Out of Love Can be Fun” with Betty and Judy.

J. Blaise Dimodugno, most recently an Ancestor in Landmark’s “Addams Family,” acts well as Bob Wallace and Jordan Maia worked very hard in rehearsal to match the moves of his talented dance partner, Mulcahy in the role of Betty.

Joseph Stango, who has been involved in theater for more than 30 years, returns to the stage to play General Waverly. Stango does well with his character’s monologues and even gets to sing a bit.

Co-dance captain Malie Louise Grasmere and Kitty Fernandez get to wear over-the-top matching costumes as Rita and Rhoda Bobbsey. Kudos to all of the young dancers who appeared for the first time on any stage in the big dance numbers.

Bob Hunter returns to the stage in the role of televison producer Ralph Sheldrake and Dylan Ryan, who played Jean Valjean in Landmark’s “Les Miserables,” is very funny as the bombastic stage manager Mike. Molly Crossley plays the General’s granddaughter Susan through this weekend, and Ella Sieller takes over the role for the closing performances.

A few of the members of the ensemble stood out in supporting roles. Shelby and Morgan Griffin always dance impressively. Veteran actress Susie Hackel delivers some great lines as Mrs. Snoring Man on the train in her fourth holiday show with Landmark. As Mrs. Snoring Man, Steven Sorriero sleeps through most of the train scene, but he is absolutely hysterical in the role of Ezediel Foster, the monosyllabic guy who “came with the barn” in Vermont.

The tiniest members of the ensemble are Sophia Parente and Arianna Romero, who are adorable as they accompany Ezekiel wherever he goes.

Shane Christopher designed the spectacular choreography for the very talented dancers. Debbie Cashman’s costumes fit the 1940’s era and are sumptuously red for the final scene.

The music director Trish O’Porto helped the singers sound their best with the recorded musical tracks. I caught that WATR's Tom Chute recorded an announcement for the production. Thank you to Opera House Organist Juan Cardona, Jr. for entertaining the sold-out matinee audience with Christmas compositions.

Performances continue at the Thomaston Opera House through Dec. 18. For tickets: Box Office 860-283-6250 or www.LandmarkCommunityTheatre.o...

“And may all your Christmases be white.”

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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