After a sold out run last year, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas has returned to Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. The beloved holiday musical, with iconic songs like “Sisters,” “Snow,” “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” and the titular number, runs now through Feb. 7, allowing attendees to ride that joyful holiday feeling well into the New Year.

“It’s rare we produce a remount,” said Andy Kust, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres musical director. “But there was such demand last year.”

Who can blame audiences for wanting more? “There’s such great music and great nostalgia,” said Kust. 

“This is a show about bringing people together,” said Shad Hanley, who plays Ralph Sheldrake in the production. “That’s what the holidays are all about.”

White Christmas is the story of two friends, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis (played by Michael Gruber and Tony Vierling), bonded by their service in WWII, who become a popular song-and-dance act after the war.

When they learn that their former commanding general is struggling to keep his Vermont inn afloat, they call in the “troops” and, with the help of the talented Haynes sisters (played by Ann Michels and Andrea Mislan), organize an ambitious holiday show.

From Screen to stage
White Christmas was first made famous as a theatrical release starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen in 1954. The stage adaptation premiered in San Francisco in 2004. But whether on stage or screen, watching White Christmas has become a holiday staple for many.

“There’s something so wonderful about the message of helping others,” said Kust. 

“People have a hankering for unity,” agreed Hanley. That includes last year’s cast, 80 percent of which have returned for this year’s show. “This ensemble is so wildly talented,” said Hanley. 

As a result of such a high return rate, Kust said they were able to jump right in at rehearsals and dig much deeper, improving even on last year’s show. Audiences have responded in kind.

“I’m the first one out on stage,” said Hanley, who plays an old Army buddy turned television executive. “And I’m a character that’s not even in the movie so right away, audiences are wondering, ‘Who’s this guy?’ It’s my job to pump them up. The audiences keep it fresh.” 

“It’s live theater, which is in and of itself wildly unpredictable,” said Kust, who sees it all happen alongside a group of 10 musicians playing just above the stage.

But with a show chock full of nostalgia and holiday cheer, the cast of 30 is well armed to please audiences.

“My favorite part is the final number,” said Hanley, of the show’s reprise of “White Christmas.” “You can look out and see people wiping tears from their eyes. It’s so cool to see it so viscerally.”

Timeless music
While this year’s production pays homage to the 2024 show, directed by the late Michael Brindisi, theatergoers will notice some changes.

“We completely redid the finale,” said Tamara Kangas Erickson, president and artistic director of the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. “We brought more levity this year. We fluffed a lot of the scenes.”

At its core, White Christmas remains a story of generosity that’s embedded into the fabric of the season, guided by heartfelt performances and timeless music. “For me, it’s the Irving Berlin music,” said Erickson. “It’s so full of the holiday spirit.” 

Kust agreed, noting that the show is stuffed with familiar songs that have become part of many a holiday tradition.

“Berlin wrote 1,500 songs,” he said. “It’s really an embarrassment of riches to choose from, the ultimate richness in the tapestry of the artform.”

Among his favorites are “Happy Holidays” which opens the show, “Let Yourself Go” and “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.”

“It’s the beating heart of the show,” Kust said of the latter number.

For Hanley, Ann Michaels as Betty Haynes singing “Love, You Didn’t Do Right By Me,” is a standout number. “It puts me in a haze,” he said. “Ann Michaels, she’s a local legend. She’s a legend.” 

Erickson loves the story of Henry Waverly (played by booming baritone JoeNathan Thomas), a former commanding general who has struggled to find his footing after the end of the war and continues to wage a battle to keep his floundering inn afloat.

“There’s a lot of relevant emotion there,” she said. “It’s really healing.” 

“The cheering up of the old man, watching as he rediscovers his purpose and joy, it’s wonderful,” said Hanley.

Dinner and a show
Tickets for White Christmas can be purchased online at chanhassendt.com or by calling the box office at 952-934-1525. “This is the last time we’ll produce White Christmas for the foreseeable future,” said Kust. 

“That’s reason enough alone to see it,” offered Hanley. 

“It’s pure, unadulterated joy,” said Kust. “Such a wonderful family-friendly show.” 

And for those who haven’t been to the dinner theater in a while, White Christmas is a reminder of just what a rare gem exists in the southwest metro.

“There used to be hundreds of dinner theaters across the country and now there is something like 30 left nationwide,” said Kust. “We are the biggest one.”

“It’s the oldest kind of entertainment — dinner and a story,” he added. 

Next up at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is Guys and Dolls, its first time on the main stage since 1989. Guys and Dolls opens Feb. 13.