UM rings in the holidays with 'White Christmas'

The University of Montana’s Theatre & Dance and Music schools are joining to present a holiday classic, Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” to audiences throughout November and December.

“White Christmas” is directed and choreographed by UM Associate Professor Pam Stiehl, with music direction by UM Professor David Cody. It will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23 and 24, Nov. 28 to 30 and Dec. 1 and 2, as well as 2 p.m. Nov. 24, 25 and Dec. 2 in the Montana Theatre of UM’s Performing Arts and Radio/TV Center.

General admission tickets cost $20, while senior and student tickets cost $16. Admission for children ages 12 and under is $10. Tickets are available by calling the UM Arts Box Office at 406-243-4581 from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday or ordering online at http://www.umt.edu/theatredance.

Based on a book by David Ives and Paul Blake and the beloved, timeless film, this heartwarming musical adaptation features 17 Irving Berlin songs. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by the veterans’ former Army commander. The dazzling score features well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial favorite, “White Christmas.”

“‘White Christmas’ is an homage to musical comedy in all its forms — from USO shows to vaudeville turns to movie musicals — as well as to patriotism, military service, romance, Americana and, of course, the holiday season,” Stiehl said.

For more information, call Stiehl at 303-709-8720 or email pamyla.stiehl@umontana.edu.

A complete schedule of UM School of Theatre & Dance productions for the academic year is online at http://www.umt.edu/umarts/theatredance/Season/18-19-season.php.