Castlebar looks forward to White Christmas

FESTIVE FEAST Castlebar Musical & Dramatic Society is gearing up to perform the stage version of 1954 musical rom-com ‘White Christmas’, which starred Vera-Ellen and Danny Kaye (pictured), and Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney.

Rehearsals for Castlebar Musical & Dramatic Society’s upcoming production, ‘White Christmas’, are in full swing. The production, the society’s fourth, will be staged on Thursday, November 30, December 1 and December 2, in the impressive surroundings of the GMIT Castlebar campus.
The much-loved film starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye was a massive hit when it was released the mid 1950s. Castlebar Musical & Dramatic Society’s production marks the first time stage version – first produced in 2000 in the US – will be performed in the west of Ireland. The songs from the original 1954 musical, all written by Irving Berlin, feature a host of well-known classics, including ‘Sisters’, ‘The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing’, ‘Happy Holidays’ and of course, ‘White Christmas’.
The story and songs will be brought to life in Castlebar by local performers – some no strangers to the stage, others treading the boards for the very first time.
The roles of Bob Wallace and Phil Davis will be played by Ronan Egan and Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS)-award winner John Byrne. Betty and Judy Haynes will be brought to life by Vivienne Lee and Stephanie Cassol. Along the way these four will meet a host of characters, played by newcomers Carrie Doran, Brendan Mullins and Andy Hannon and returning performers Michael Goulding, Emma Daly and Jim Finan.
Director Donna Ruane, another AIMS-award winner, is delighted to be at the helm of this production: “We are very excited to bring this wonderful show to Castlebar. White Christmas will give local people a terrific opportunity to showcase their musical and dramatic talents,” she said, adding: “We’re also really excited to be kicking off the Christmas spirit in Castlebar with such a heart-warming, festive family-show.”
Donna will be joined by musical director Deirdre Lee and choreographer Hazel Lloyd.
The shows will be performed nightly at 8pm, with an additional matinee performance on the Saturday at 2.30pm.

For tickets to Castlebar Musical & Dramatic Society ‘White Christmas’, call into Downtown Records in Castlebar or Westport, contact any cast member or call 094 9022312. See the Castlebar Musical & Dramatic Society Facebook page for more information.