MARK AUERBACH
EAST HADDAM, Conn. – “Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn”, the current Goodspeed Musicals offering, is an evening of showstopping dance numbers, some great Irving Berlin standards, a fun book, fantastic performances, costumes for days, and an entertainment quotient of 150 percent. It has already been extended through December 21, so skip to the bottom of this review for ticket information, and come back to read this summary after you’ve snagged some tickets.
Goodspeed Musicals has brought the 1942 Irving Berlin movie musical, “Holiday Inn” to life as a stage show. “Holiday Inn”, which starred Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, featured a simple plot–a vaudeville team goes their separate ways–one to Hollywood and one to Connecticut. Hollywood takes Connecticut’s fiance with him. Connecticut finds love on a farm he’s purchased in foreclosure. Director Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge have adapted the show for the stage, and their light and airy script basically connects the dozen plus Irving Berlin melodies and throws in some gags and jokes. You won’t need Wikipedia or Cliff Notes to figure out what’s happening.
The ensemble in “Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn”. (Photo by Diane Sobolewski)
What’s happening is some of the best Broadway choreography I’ve seen on any stage in years. For anyone who likes splashy productions numbers and mourns the loss of Bob Fosse or Michael Bennett, remember the name Denis Jones. (He’ll be choreographing the much anticipated “Honeymoon in Vegas” opening on Broadway this year).
Jones takes the cavalcade of Berlin hits written for the film… ”White Christmas”, “Easter Parade”, “Heat Wave”, Steppin’ Out With My Baby”, and “You’re Easy To Dance With”, and has given each a creative style of its own. From the snazzy “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” which opens the show to the showstopping “Shaking The Blues Away” each number outdoes the next. The entire ensemble are fantastic dancers. They make every move look effortless and easy.
Gordon Greenberg’s direction is flawless, and he gives the show’s most famous number, “White Christmas”, a quiet rendering… piano and singers, which really gives the music of Irving Berlin its just showcase.
Dan DeLange’s orchestrations are great, and Michael O’Flaherty’s music direction is perfect. O’Flaherty conducted opening night, and brought some great performances out of the orchestra. Anna Louizos’ sets are delightful, as are Alejo Vietti’s endless parade of costumes. (You’ll love the bonnets in “Easter Parade”). Jeff Croiter’s lighting is choreographed in synch with Jones’ choreography.
The performances are delightful. First, the ensemble is nimble on its feet, and charming to watch. The four leads, Noah Racey, Talley Sessions, Patti Murin, and Hayley Podschun, are terrific. Racey’s tap solo is tour-de-force. I loved Susan Mosher as a comic sidekick.
Irving Berlin’s music is underappreciated these days, and his songs… from the flash to the quiet, are gems. Performed with zest, and choreographed and danced with verve, they’re all solid gold.
“Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn” at Goodspeed is pure entertainment.
Goodspeed Musicals presents “Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn”. Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin. Book by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge, based on the film from Universal Pictures. Directed by Gordon Greenberg. Choreography by Denis Jones. Music Direction by Michael O’Flaherty. Scenic Design by Anna Louisoz. Costume Design by Alejo Vietti. Lighting Design by Jeff Croiter. Sound Design by Jay Hilton. Wig and Hair Design by Mark Adam Rampmeyer. Through December 21. Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, CT. For tickets: 860-873-8668 or www.goodspeed.org.
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
