Irving Berlin’s White Christmas makes its debut at the Springfield Municipal Opera

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas makes its debut

at the Springfield Municipal Opera

Springfield, IL – July 14, 2017 – Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, sponsored by Edward Jones and directed by Joe-Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Cheney, will debut on The Muni stage on Friday, July 21. The production will run July 21- 3 and July 26-30. Curtain time is 8:30 p.m.

In White Christmas, Bob Wallace (DJ Schultz) and Phil Davis (Greg Donathan), two iconic song-and-dance men, follow a sister act to Vermont, only to discover that the nearly-bankrupt lodge they were o perform at is owned by their former commanding general.

“Wow is there a lot of great music and dancing!  We have been challenged with some professional level choreography, and I think audiences are going to enjoy the ever-moving and creative dance they will see come to life on stage,” said Greg Donathan, who wanted to be part of WhiteChristmas because of the Irving Berlin score. “Berlin's music is classic and makes me happy simply by listening to it!  So, performing it is proving to be more rewarding than I could ever have imagined.”

White Christmas, nominated for two Tony Awards for Best Choreography and Best Orchestration, premiered on Broadway in 2008. It features favorites such as “White Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” “Sisters” and “Blue Skies.”  

“The musical selections in the movie are heard but featured more in the musical. Even though the music may be a bit different from the movie, the spirit and energy of the movie is still portrayed,” said co-director Elizabeth Cheney. “The warmth of the characters grow more in the stage version as they embrace the spirit of the storyline.”

The Muni will feature free, special activities before the show every night from 7-8 p.m. During the run of White Christmas, The Muni is encouraging all military to come wearing military attire or your branch emblem. On Wednesday, July 26, it will be Family Night and Military Night. On Family night, ticket prices for children are $10 for a reserved seat and $5 for the general admission (or lawn seating). For the active and veteran military it will be $12 for reserved and $9 for general admission seating.

Additionally, Thursday, July 27 is Senior Night. On Senior Night, ticket prices for seniors are reduced to $12 for Reserved Seating and $9 for General Admission. A Senior Shuttle Bus Service, sponsored by the King’s Daughters Organization, will also run on Senior Night.  

An interpreted performance for the hearing impaired is scheduled for Sunday, July 23.

The regular price of reserved seating is $17 or $15, and general admission (or lawn seating) is $12 for Adults, $10 for Seniors/Military/Students, and $10 for children 12 and under. Reserved Seating tickets can be purchased in advance online – www.TheMuni.org – or by calling or visiting the Sangamon Auditorium Box Office at 217-793-MUNI (6864). Patrons can also purchase reserved seating and general admission tickets on-site at The Muni’s Box Office, which opens 90 minutes prior to curtain time.

About The Muni

The Springfield Municipal Opera (The Muni) is a not-for-profit theatricalorganization that has become a Springfield summer tradition, providing the best of Broadway to enthusiastic audiences for more than 50 years. Located at 815 East Lake Drive in an outdoor amphitheater, The Muni is one of the largest all-volunteer community theatre organizations in the nation. For more information on The Muni, please visit www.TheMuni.org.