Overnight, the holiday spirit hit me. I spent the chilly day at home swapping out pumpkins for pine branches, popping up a tree on our front porch, and decking our halls with twinkling white lights, Santas and nativity scenes. Stockings are now hung by the chimney with care. And the perfect cap on this Christmas season kickoff was a date night with my husband to see Irving Berlin’s delightful and sparkling musical “White Christmas” at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre.
This show offers everything a feel-good holiday show should: big, splashy tap numbers, gorgeous voices, romance, comedy, and a magical snowfall finale. We were struck by the strong cast: Elliott Litherland and Kenney Green-Tilford made a powerful duo as veterans with a song and dance act, while Heather Patterson King and Deb Wims brought charisma and glowing star power to their roles as sister act Betty and Judy Hayes. Carrie Neal was a scene stealer as the innkeeper with a theatrical past and larger-than-life voice, and Jeff Stockberger brought heartfelt sincerity to his role as a retired General who discovers the “glory” he once found in the military can also be found right at home. I loved, loved, LOVED the choreography and costumes – the entire cast was delightful to watch in big production numbers like “Blue Skies,” “Snow,” and “White Christmas.” As always, the Beef and Boards Orchestra sounded flawless.
Tickets for “White Christmas” are close to sold out according to the theatre’s management, so grab them quickly – there is also some availability for a special New Year’s Eve celebration that includes the holiday dinner and show, followed by dancing to a live band, a champagne toast and a breakfast buffet! You may also want ahead to their 2024 season and consider the gift of entertainment for your loved ones, in the form of gift certificates! I have my eyes on “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” which runs February 8 – March 30.
One more note: Beef and Boards is wrapping up its 50th anniversary season, and their productions somehow just keep getting better. Congratulations to this family-owned Indy entertainment treasure on five decades of success.
For more information or show schedules, visit beefandboards.com
