Celebrate Christmas a little early this year

The house lights slowly fade, the music pounds in the audience members’ chests, and the curtain rises on the annual fall musical. The Milford Theatre Company (MTC) will present the beloved show White Christmas to audiences from Nov. 17-19. The classic Christmas tale is based upon the 1954 Paramount Pictures hit movie by the same name. The show portrays two army buddies, Captain Bob Wallace (Senior Ben Mondrush) and Private Phil Davis (Senior Joe Meagher), on their musical adventures after World War II. While looking for an opening act for their new show, they are introduced to sisters Betty (Senior Jillian Armstrong) and Judy Haynes (Senior Vivian Lakin). Enthralled by their talent and hoping for romance, the two men follow the sisters to a cozy inn in Vermont that just so happens to be owned by their former Army General, Henry Waverly (Senior Austin Matlis). Up in Vermont, they meet a retired Broadway star, Martha Watson (Senior Aubrey Snavley), now the inn’s housekeeper, and Susan Waverly (Senior Peyton Wheeler), the general’s granddaughter. Both shenanigans and drama ensue while everyone prepares a grand production as a plan to rescue the struggling inn. “We choose this show because we’re ready for something big,” Director Megan Weeks said. “It feels like this is going to be the first really big one after COVID….and it just seemed like we had the right group with a lot of dancers.” This is also a show with a large orchestra because it is the beloved pianist Brenda Granroth’s 20th and last show and a bittersweet ending to her time with MTC. “I feel like it’s the kind of show you will never be able to see again,” Matlis said. “It’s a show that is very unique in what it does….It’s just a fun, easy-to-digest kind of show that is worth your time.” Auditions were held on Sept. 8 and 9; the majority of the cast will spend over 194 hours at rehearsal, not including the many practices held over the summer. “We’re putting everything we have into it, and it’s going to be a good time,” Mondrush said. While the show is still a few weeks away, that time will roll by quickly. Mondrush is looking forward to the first performance with the full orchestra. He describes it as a “magical experience” and explains how this is the first time he feels they will genuinely have a show. This is the first time the MTC has put on a Christmas show, but that is not the only new addition this year. The Thursday night of show week, they will offer a Spotlight Gala fundraiser. This $100 ticket will buy audiences a dinner at Union 212 in Milford, drink tickets, a specialty swag bag, VIP seating for opening night of the show and a behind-the-scenes tour backstage afterward. “We are just hoping to involve the community and get more local business members in to support the arts at the school and see what great things our kids can do,” Weeks said. White Christmas is sure to make audiences smile, laugh and have that sentimental holiday feeling. With its phenomenal lead actors and talented ensemble dancers, this is not a show to miss. So come and sing along to songs such as “Happy Holiday,” “Snow,” “Sisters,” “How Deep is the Ocean” and the title song: “White Christmas.” Tickets can be purchased for $14 at the door or at the MHS Performing Arts website.