Riverland Community College Theatre and Music departments present the classic holiday musical, White Christmas, starting Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. The musical continues Dec. 1, 6, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. and an early evening performance on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. All performances are at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre on the Austin Campus.

With music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and book by David Ives and Paul Blake, White Christmas is a modern theatrical adaptation of the classic Paramount Pictures film starring Bing Crosby. In this heartwarming musical, World War II veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act. 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 Bob and Phil’s former army commander. Based on the beloved film, the dazzling score features classic Irving Berlin standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean,” and of course, “White Christmas.” This musical is appropriate for all ages.

Riverland Director Lindsey Duoos Williams directs White Christmas. Coni Nelson is the musical director. Bridget Halvorson is choreographer. The scenic designer is James Douglass Cameron Davis serves as the production technical director and Jim Mallek is the Riverland technical director. The costumes are by Jennifer Wiebrand and Madlain Vander. Rachel Carlson was the rehearsal accompanist and Eric Sippel stage manages.

“White Christmas was an easy choice for us this season,” Williams said. “Irving Berlin wrote some of the greatest melodies of the last century, and it’s wonderful to see our students falling in love with these songs the same way that previous generations have. White Christmas made its Broadway debut in 2008, so it’s actually a new musical, but it’s based on the classic 1954 Paramount Pictures film, so it feels just like an old-fashioned show.”

The cast of White Christmas includes DavidAlbino (Austin) as Sheldrake, Maddie Brown (Austin), Tanner Conway (Austin), David Dahlquist (Lyle) as Ezekiel, Barbara Dudley (Austin) as Rhoda, Tiago Ferreira (International Student from Portugal) as Mike/Jimmy, Sheryl Finley (Austin), Shanice Gozali (International Student from Indonesia) as Tessie, Athena Hansen (Austin) as Rita, Amelia Holcomb (Albert Lea) as Betty Haynes, Ava Jovaag (Austin) as Susan Waverly, Suyeon Kim (International Student from South Korea), Youngha Kim (International Student from South Korea), Dick McIntosh (Austin) as General Waverly, Eric Morlan (Austin) as Bob Wallace, Claire Olson (Austin), Kaye Perry (Austin) as Martha Watson, Lyndon Pope (Milwaukee, Wisc.) plays the DanceCaptain, Michelle Possin (New Richland) as Judy Haynes, Maggi Steele (St. Ansgar), Asuka Suzaki) (International Student from Japan), Jessica Williams (Brownsdale) as Mrs. Snoring Man and Jordan Wylde (Elkton) as Phil Davis.

“We have a very diverse cast for this production, including current students, alumni, and several community members, Williams said. We have a lot of “first timers” in this cast—students who are performing in their very first show at Riverland, and some in their very first musical ever.”

The company includes five International students representing four countries including Portugal, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia.

“It’s a great experience for them to work alongside our more experienced alumni and community members,” Williams said. “It helps them to learn more quickly, and by the time the show opens, everyone feels like a pro.”

White Christmas will be performed Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 6, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. and an early evening performance on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. All performances are at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre on Riverland’s Austin Campus.

Individual tickets to White Christmas are $15 and currently on sale at the Riverland Box Office, located in room E107 in the East Building of the Austin campus. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one hour before performances. Riverland students receive two free tickets to each performance with a valid studentID. The box office can be contacted at 507-433-0595 or by emailingboxoffice@riverland.edu. Dec. 1, 6, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. and an early evening performance on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.

White Christmas is appropriate for all ages.

Riverland Theatre strives to provide quality productions that are entertaining and challenging to both the audience and the artists. Because we reach such a diverse audience, some audience members may find some subject matter, language, or situations objectionable. If you have concerns about a specific production, we encourage you to become familiar with the material before attending the performance.

Riverland’s Theatre Department is a high-energy performance-oriented program. Plays produced vary from classical tragedy to modern comedy and from full-scale large cast musicals in intimate small cast plays. Students are encouraged to get involved in all areas of theatre production including, but not limited to, acting, stage managing, set building and painting. Strong academic offerings provide challenges in and out of the classroom.