“White Christmas,” the classic story of post WWII entertainers, comes to the Issaquah High School stage in what has become an every four-year tradition for the school’s drama department.
Although there are 40 in the cast with another dozen in the technical crew, the four leads are central to the story. In the 1954 film version, Bing Crosby played the role of Bob and Danny Kaye played Phil, former army buddies turned entertainers.
When asked to audition two sisters for their show, Betty, played by Rosemary Clooney in the movie, and Judy, played by Vera-Ellen, sparks fly between Phil and Judy — and Bob and Betty.
Junior Bryan Hanner, cast as Bob in the IHS production, is no stranger to stage. This is Hanner’s 60th show — he performs all over the Seattle area. Hanner also appeared in the national tour of “Peter Pan,” and the international tour of “The Sound of Music,” playing two of the Von Trapp children. Hanner has performed on Village Theatre’s children’s stage, and at the 5th Avenue Theatre in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and soon in “Spamalot.”
Hanner is not sure acting will be his career goal since he’s very capable academically but he has built a strong acting resume.
Senior Caroline Hamblin is Judy, making her third appearance on stage at IHS. Previously she appeared in “Fiddler on the Roof” and “The Sound of Music.”
“This is my first lead so I’m excited about that,” Hamblin said.
She intends to study vocal performance and nursing when she graduates from IHS.
Senior Ashley Young, in the role of Betty, not only is playing Hamblin’s sister in the play, the two are best friends and plan to go to the same college together. This is Young’s seventh play.
“I was already Bryan’s love interest in Fiddler, and how I’m his love interest in this one,” she said. “It’s fun because Caroline and I were nuns last year (in “The Sound of Music”) and now we’re playing sisters and are best friends.”
She also plans to study vocal performance and perhaps interior design.
“Singing has been a huge passion of mine,” Young said. “It’s just something that I love.”
Daniel Repp as Phil, is also a seasoned actor. This is his 23rd play, starting at Village when he was in the third grade. He is seen frequently at Youth Theatre Northwest on Mercer Island and is a member of its improvisational team called “Chaos Theory.”
“It’s not planned, but there is some structure,” Repp said of improv. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Repp, a sophomore, is interested in a career that involves story telling, whether it be acting or writing with improv on the side.
After a few romantic misunderstandings along the way, “White Christmas” builds to an ending that involves a Christmas show at Bob and Phil’s former commanding officer’s Inn in Vermont.
Their commander, Gen. Waverly, has invested all his savings and pension into the lodge, and it’s in danger of failing because of the lack of snow and consequently, a lack of guests. But they bring in most of their Division from the war for the show, and in the end — you guessed it — it snows.
“White Christmas” is directed by Holly Whiting, the drama teacher and theater director at IHS. Music is provided by the Evergreen Philharmonic, which consists of 60 IHS musicians, some of who also appear on stage.
“White Christmas” opens Dec. 5, with performances Dec. 6 and 7, then again Dec. 12-14 in the auditorium at IHS. There are two shows Dec. 7 — a 1:30 matinee which is a sing-along, and the 7 p.m. show.
All other performances are at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $12 for adults and students, $10 for students with an ASB card, $8 for seniors and children under 5 and $5 for the sing-along matinee. They are available online at tix2.seatyourself.biz or at the door.
