Audiences enjoy visit to David Douglas High’s ‘HOLIDAY INN’

Snappy songs, live music, tap-dance numbers, and great acting are why folks are lining up to buy tickets to the Irving Berlin musical, “Holiday Inn”, now playing in the David Douglas High Theater …

Rehearsing for their upcoming show, Holiday Inn the Musical, David Douglas High student actors, dancers, and singers perform a big opening production number in the show, “Steppin’ Out With My Baby”.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Audiences looking for a fun evening – or afternoon, at a matinee – are finding it, with the musical production of the David Douglas High School (DDHS) Theater and Music Department’s offering, Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn the Musical.

The play, which opened November 15, continues through November 24 – for dates and times, see below …

The show’s director, DDHS theater instructor Michael Givler gives creative direction during a rehearsal.

“Over the summer, I looked and considered at more than twenty musicals, and I simply wasn’t inspired by any of them,” remarked the show’s director, and DDHS theater instructor Michael Givler.

The show, also known as Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical, is based on the1942  Paramount Pictures film of the same name, Givler said. The live stage musical first premiered in 2014. It’s the show which the biggest selling hit song of all time by Bing Crosby, “White Christmas”, comes.

At their Thanksgiving Day themed show at the Holiday Inn, singers and dancers perform “Plenty to Be Thankful For”.

Holiday Inn is an unashamedly happy and light show, about real life problems that aren’t the ‘end of the world’ for the characters – and surely, we all need, and can enjoy, a happy show right now,” Givler told East Portland News.

Broadway star Jim Hardy (played by Trefor Fichtner), his long time dance partner, learns that Lila Dixon (played by Julia Archer) is dumping him and running off to be with a rich, Texas oil man.

About the story …
Tired of the big city, Broadway star Jim Hardy (ably played by DDHS student actor Trefor Fichtner) tries to settle down on his Connecticut farmhouse, but finds he misses performing song and dance routines.

Spunky and talented local schoolteacher Linda Mason (sparklingly played by Sarah Muller) helps Jim turn the farmhouse into a fabulous Inn, with glittering performances to celebrate each holiday, from Thanksgiving all the way to the Fourth of July.

During their Christmas show at the Holiday Inn, that cast heats things up with “Shaking the Blues Away”.

How dazzling? As many as 25 tap-dancing characters take the sage during each song.

They’re accompanied by the 45+ members of the DDHS Orchestra, under the baton of DDHS Music Director Jennifer Brooks-Muller who conducts  parade of hit Irving Berlin songs, including “Blue Skies”, “Easter Parade”, “Steppin’ Out With My Baby”, “Heat Wave”, “Cheek to Cheek”, “Shaking the Blues Away”, and of course, “White Christmas”.

This dazzling showpiece highlights the talented cast, as they perform “Easter Parade”.

As seasons change, “Let’s Say It With Firecrackers” sing Jim, Ted, Linda, and the Ensemble, in their salute to Independence Day.

But, Jim’s soon-to-be ex-best-friend, Ted Hanover, (played by Andrew Lottis), tries to lure Linda away to be his new dance partner in Hollywood, it looks like Jim might lose his latest chance at love.

Come see how it all works out – only as it can, in musical plays!

Will Linda and Jim find true love? Come see this delightful show, and find out.

Holiday Inn the Musical continues it’s run at 7:30 p.m. on November 16, 21, 22, and 23. And, there are special Sunday Family Matinee shows on November 17 and 24 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets: $10 Adults | $8 Students and Seniors.

For online reservations and ticket information, see their website: CLICK HERE. Or, go in person; Box Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3:00 until 5:30 p.m. at the venue; phone 503-261-8270.

All performances are in the DDHS Howard F. Horner Performing Arts Center, 1400 SE 130th Avenue, between SE Stark and Division streets.

© 2019 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™

 

 

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