Ghostlight Productions staged “White Christmas” in 2017 to what Creative Director Mark Lorentzen said was an overwhelming response.
“Because the film holds a special place in many hearts as a holiday tradition, we decided early on that we would revisit the musical every few years,” he said.
The classic holiday story is back for a two-week run, starting with the show opener at 7 p.m. on Thursday Dec. 15, at the Sequim High School auditorium, 533 N. Sequim Ave.
Other shows are set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 16-17, and Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 19-21, with a 2 p.m. matinee set for Saturday, Dec. 17.
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Director Mark Lorentzen rehearses Ghostlight Productions’ “White Christmas” with Cecie McClelland, playing Betty Haynes, Jeremy Pederson playing Bob Wallace, and Anna Pederson, playing Judy Haynes.
The matinee on Dec. 17 features an ugly Christmas sweater contest. All are encouraged to wear their best ugly Christmas sweater, with a prize going to the winner.
Tickets are $12-20 and available at ghostlightwa.org.
Based on the popular film, “White Christmas” features military veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis — now a successful song-and-dance act after World War II — who, with romance in mind, follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge. The lodge happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander.
“With a dazzling score featuring well-known standards including ‘Blue Skies,’ ‘I Love A Piano,’ ‘How Deep Is the Ocean’ and the title song, plus a collection of thrilling dance numbers and a whole lot of nostalgia, ‘White Christmas’ is an unforgettable way for the entire family to usher in the holiday season,” wrote Lorentzen, the production’s director and musical director.
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Performers Sarah Kauffman (Rhoda) and Noah Long (Phil Davis) laugh with director Mark Lorentzen during a rehearsal for Ghostlight Productions’ upcoming “White Christmas.”
Noah Long stars as Phil Davis, Anna Pederson as Judy Haynes, Cecie McClelland as Betty Haynes and Jeremy Pederson as Bob Wallace.
The show features dancers from the Ballet Workshop, with choreography by Anna Pederson and additional choreography by Long and Kate Robbins.
“We weren’t looking to do a mere replication of the 2017 production but build on it instead,” Lorentzen wrote “[This] ‘White Christmas’ has been completely redesigned with new looks, stage magic, nearly double the original cast, a live orchestra, and enough tap dancers to bring down the house.”
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Ensemble dancer Eden Batson warms up during a practice for Ghostlight Productions’ upcoming White Christmas, to be performed at Sequim High School.
Lincoln Theatre’s future in view
Ghostlight Productions board president Ron Graham said that every show the 501(c)3 nonprofit has produced since announcing partnership with the owners of Port Angeles’ Lincoln Theater “has had at its heart the idea of making the Lincoln Theatre Ghostlight’s home.
“The Lincoln is truly an icon of Port Angeles, having been here for over 100 years, and many people were quite sad to see it close … The idea of renovating the building to retain something of the look and feel of the original building, while making sure the technical heart was absolutely state-of-the-art, was shared by everybody involved,” Graham said.
“Everyone was also on board with involving the community with the renovation in all aspects, from being involved with the funding to hiring local companies to do the work.”
Graham said that the work that has been done so far, including removing old seats, walls and ceilings, has been done by local companies, organizations or individuals, including the owners of the Lincoln, members of Ghostlight, Port Angeles High School Junior ROTC members, and Carlsborg-based companies Tracy’s Insulation and Murray’s Disposal.
According to Graham, the project is projected to ultimately cost between $5 million-$6 million.
“The next projects we’d like to see done are finalizing the architectural drawings needed for the final building permits and removal of the old marquee,” he said. “Most of the work so far has been done inside the building, so people might be wondering if anything is still being done. Removing the marquee and sprucing up the facade a bit will remind them that, yes, the project is on-going.
Sequim Gazette PHOTO BY EMILY MATTHIESSEN Ensemble dancers Clare Wegener and Isa Ramsey practice during a rehearsal for Ghostlight Productions’ upcoming “White Christmas.”
Graham said that Ghostlight as an organization is grateful to theaters who allow for their performances.
”Just imagine what we will be able to do in a theatre of our own design, modelled after the best you can find anywhere from Seattle to Broadway,” he said.
The money Ghostlight makes from shows, including “White Christmas,” helps the organization move toward the day the Lincoln Theater will reopen, Graham said.
Anyone wanting to donate to the project, he said, can do so online at ghostlightwa.org.
“We want the community to feel like they helped bring this building back to life in the center of the downtown,” he said.
‘White Christmas’
From Ghostlight Productions
Dates/times: 7 p.m. Dec. 15-17 and Dec. 19-21; 2 p.m. Dec. 17
Location: Sequim High School auditorium, 533 N. Sequim Ave.
Tickets: $12-$20
