Pictured are Laura Wilson ( Lila) and Bob Philip (Jim Hardy ) as they rehearse for RVP Holiday Inn opening )
Tickets go on sale October 12 for River Valley Players’ presentation of Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical, showing on November 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20 at St. John’s Community Center, located at 1301 Second Street in Henry.
Based on the 1942 award winning movie Holiday Inn, the musical is a fresh take on the old classic. When singer songwriter Jim Hardy tires of showbiz, he shocks his best friend Ted and fiancé Lila by leaving the bright lights of Broadway behind to seek a more tranquil life at a farmhouse in Connecticut. At first, he greets his new life with enthusiasm, but slowly realizes that life as a farmer isn't all it’s cracked up to be. Just as he is about to give up, he meets spunky schoolteacher Linda Mason. The duo brings life back to the Mason Farm by transforming it into the Holiday Inn, a charming venue for festive music performances celebrating the red-letter days on the calendar. When his best friend Ted shows up, ready to spirit Linda away to Hollywood, will Jim lose his best shot at happiness?
Audiences are sure to have an enchanted evening of entertainment between the spirited dance routines and rousing Irving Berlin classics like “Blue Skies,” “Heat Wave,“ “Shaking the Blues Away,” and, of course, beloved holiday favorite, “White Christmas.” Based on the original Paramount Pictures film, the Broadway show opened in 2016 at the Roundabout Theater Company. The libretto is written by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin.
Tickets for Saturday and Sunday performances are $40.00, which includes admission, salad bar, buffet dinner, three beverages of your choice, coffee, and dessert. Friday night performances are $20.00 for a show only, which includes a delightful display of delectable desserts available for purchase.
For more information and to meet our cast, visit our Facebook page at fb.me/rvphenry. Tickets can be purchased online at www.rvphenry.org or by calling our box office at 309-238-7878. Tickets will sell out fast, so do not wait long!
River Valley Players is grateful for the continued support of Sun Foundation and Illinois Arts Council, whose grants have partially funded our 2022 season.
River Valley Players will close the 2022 season with the holiday extravaganza Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical, to be presented November 12-13 and 18-20 at St. John’s Community Center, 1301 Second St. in Henry.
Revised and updated for a 2016 run on Broadway, Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical, with libretto by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge, features the timeless classics of the beloved film starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. As the show opens, we meet Jim Hardy, who is leaving behind the hustle and bustle of New York City showbiz for the bucolic life of a Connecticut farm. Jim’s agricultural efforts are a flop, but things start looking up when he falls for a talented schoolteacher and the duo infuses their rural setting with some Broadway razzle-dazzle. Audiences of all ages will be impressed by the lively choreography and the talents of the cast singing Irving Berlin favorites such as “Easter Parade,” “Cheek to Cheek,” ”Stepping Out With My Baby,” ”White Christmas,” ”Blue Skies,” and “Shaking the Blues Away.”
Cast members for Holiday Inn include:
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Jim Hardy: Bob Philip
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Ted Hanover: Jeff Sudakov
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Lila Dixon: Laura Wilson
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Linda Mason: Deanne Crook
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Louise: Christine Gaspardo
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Danny: Brenton Waystout
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Charlie Winslow: Dylan Kofoid
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Ensemble/nightly dancers/Midvale townspeople/Holiday Inn performers and guests: Olivia Bergfeld, Kayla Eckert, Lauren Frawley, Emma Gaspardo, Robert Gaspardo, Barb Hemminger, Kenna McCance, Jeremiah Noar, Kelli Robison, Lexi Rowe, Taylor Rowe, Elizabeth Wild
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Radio Quartet: Robert Eckert, Jane Knapp, Jeremiah Noar, Kelli Robison
Holiday Inn features the production team of:
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Director: Charlotte Balensiefen
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Music Director: Robert Eckert
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Choreographers: Christine Gaspardo and Deanne Crook
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Producer/Technical Director: Carol Stoens
Tickets for dinner theater performances (November 12, 13, 19, and 20) are $40 and include salad bar, buffet style dinner, three beverages, coffee, and dessert, all served by The Meeting Place. Tickets for Friday night’s show only performance (November 18) are $20. Tickets go on sale October 12 and will go fast! For more information or to buy tickets online, visit www.rvphenry.org or call the box office at 309-238-7878.
River Valley Players is grateful for the continued support of Sun Foundation and Illinois Arts Council, whose grants have partially funded our 2022 season.
River Valley Players is excited to announce open auditions for Holiday Inn, the Irving Berlin Musical!
Auditions will be held on June 19th and 20th, at 6:00 pm. at St. John’s Community Center, 1301 Second Street, Henry, Illinois. Callbacks TBA.
River Valley Players will be hosting a preliminary dance workshop on June 11th, 6 pm, at the same location, to learn choreography for the audition.
NOTE: We will video the dance combinations from the workshop for those unable to attend.
This Irving Berlin Musical is based on the 1942 award-winning movie, Holiday Inn, first produced as a musical in 2014. A romantic comedy, sure to captivate and warm the hearts of those you are entertaining. Come and audition to be part of this wonderful cast. The seven character roles are listed below. This classic musical, full of Broadway Style song and dance, features an ensemble as spectacular as the leading roles of the show. The ensemble carries the dynamics of the show by dazzling our audience with various dance styles and tap numbers to eleven classical hits of Irving Berlin’s songs including Blue Skies, Easter Parade, Stepping Out with My Baby, Heat Wave, White Christmas, Cheek to Cheek, Shaking the Blues Away, and more. In addition, each ensemble member will have an identifiable role as a character in the show.
Audition requirements include the preparation of 32 bars of a song from the musical theatre canon that compliments your range and personality, preferably something similar to Irving Berlin’s style. Please bring your sheet music, an accompanist will be provided. We will not allow any a cappella auditions. If you do not have a prepared song, you will be asked to sing "White Christmas". We also ask that you dress for dance movement and wear appropriate footwear. Bring tap shoes if you have them available. If you are seeking a principal role, you will be reading from the script in addition to the vocal and dance portion of the audition. Please check your calendars, as we will ask you to fill out a conflict sheet and especially check the show dates of November 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th, & 13th. If you enjoy theatre but not the spotlight, contact us on Facebook at River Valley Players or through this website, we are always happy to have new volunteers. We are looking forward to seeing many beautiful smiles and talented individuals.
Characters
Jim Hardy, Male 30 to ’50s, A performer/singer/ songwriter with a magnetic stage presence (in the style of Bing Crosby). The character is an honest, good-natured but ready to leave showbiz behind for a simpler life on a farm in Connecticut. Must be an excellent comedic actor with a great voice. lyric baritone Bb2-A4
Ted Hanover, Male, 30 to ’40s A handsome, charming ladies’ man, A bit slick and always looking for his big break. Jim’s best friend and performing partner (along with Lila). Must be a strong dancer in the style of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. An excellent comedic actor/dancer/singer must tap well, lyric baritone Bb2-F4
Lila Dixon, Female, 30s, A sexy showgirl type, and Jim Hardy’s mismatched fiancé. She isn’t the smartest girl in town, but what she lacks in
intelligence she makes up with sheer determination and a love for the spotlight. Looking for an excellent comedic actress must be an extremely strong dancer/singer; must tap, high belt B3-E5
Linda Mason, Female 30 to ’40s, A schoolteacher with hidden talents. At first, she is tough and distant, unwilling to fall for Jim’s charms, but she is ultimately won over by his kindness, humor, and the mutual love of music. A lovely, charming, and funny girl must sing and dance extremely well, the ability to belt mix G3-F5
Louise, Female 40 to ’60s, The local handywoman, tough, no-nonsense, and extremely perceptive. Seeking a strong comedic actress with a great voice and the ability to belt.
Charlie Winslow, Male 9 to 12, precocious, straightforward, and practical but oddly charming, not one to mince words. One of Linda’s students works part-time as a messenger for a bank. Seeking a strong actor/singer, with an unchanged voice.
Danny, Male, 30 to ’60s. Agent to Jim, Ted, & Lila. Character role. Funny, comedic timing.
Note ages are flexible, depending on how you appear on stage.
Looking forward to seeing you!