Irving Berlin's
HOLIDAY INN
Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
Book by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge
From 22 November at Hayes Theatre Co
Bursting with irrepressible charm, irresistible humour and a nostalgia that promises to delight – Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn tap dances onto the Hayes stage to ring in the Christmas season.
"Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn appeals to me for several reasons," said Producer and Director of Holiday Inn Sally Dashwood. "The music is, first and foremost, gorgeous. I have a dance background and a passion for choreographing tap dance for stage whenever I have the opportunity. The score together with a gorgeous and heartwarming story about characters that feel authentic yet larger than life, Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn is the show that just needed to be my directorial debut.
Crooner Jim Hardy says goodbye to the hustle and bustle of big-city showbiz to settle down on his farmhouse in Connecticut. He longs for fresh air and Blue Skies, but it turns out life isn't the same without his beloved song and dance. Enter Linda, a passionate schoolteacher with talent of her own. Together Jim and Linda – with the help of unlikely friend and local handy-gal Louise – transform the farmhouse into a fabulous inn, with dazzling performances to celebrate the holidays. It isn't all bright lights and razzle dazzle, however, when Jim's best friend Ted tries to lure Linda away to be his new Hollywood dance partner. Will Jim be able to salvage his last chance at love and finally dance Cheek to Cheek with Linda?
"I'm excited to work with my husband Tim on our first musical theatre production as producers," continued Sally Dashwood. "We met when we were cast in a musical, and we've worked together in many different capacities since then - as choreographer and fight director, as co-directors of our company Well Done Creative, as staff members at teaching institutions, and in our most important roles as parents to two young children. All this means we communicate in shorthand and know the expectation between us. As producer, Tim is very much behind the scenes working spreadsheets, while I love to be the one making it happen in the room."
Based on the film that introduced the song White Christmas'to the world, and featuring other Irving Berlin classics such as Stepping Out With My Baby, Easter Parade, Shaking the Blues Away and more, Holiday Inn guarantees a toe-tapping good time for audiences of all ages, with acclaimed choreographer Sally Dashwood (Godspell, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Deb) making her directorial debut with this timeless Christmas classic.
Last week the producers of Holiday Inn held Auditions with over 200 artists attending.
Director: Sally Dashwood
Musical Director
Choreographer: Veronica Beattie George
Costume Designer Brendan de la Hay
Cast Announced Soon
Season Details:
Performances from 22 November
Tuesday – Saturday 7:30
Thursday 1pm
Saturday 2pm
Sunday 5pm
