Broadway Debut For Berlin's Classic
Positively bursting with charm and wonderful songs, Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical debuts on The Great White Way in 2016. Based on the classic Bing Crosby movie from 1942, this joyous musical packs all of the holiday seasons into one! The frothy story centers on a country Inn which only opens for the different holidays, allowing Irving Berlin's wonderful score to hop from 'White Christmas' to 'Easter Parade' and 'Let's Say It With Firecrackers'.
This is only the third ever staging of this show anywhere in the world. It debuted in 2014 to great acclaim in East Haddam, and then enjoyed an extended holiday season run at St. Louis' huge Muny amphitheatre. Original director, and co-creator, Gordon Greenburg (Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris) oversees this Roundabout Theatre staging, alongside original choreographer Dennis Jones (Honeymoon in Vegas). Tony nominee Bryce Pinkham (A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder) leads the cast.
What is Holiday Inn About?
After trying his hand at being a farmer, former dancer Jim Hardy (Pinkham) realises he still needs a bit of razzle dazzle in his life. With the support of aspiring singer Linda (Lora Lee Gayer), he decides to turn his Connecticut farmhouse into an Inn which is only open during the holidays, and that will boast dazzling year-round performances themed to the different seasonal celebrations, from Christmas to the Fourth of July.
The venutre is a great success, and with romance blossoming between Jim and Linda, the future looks rosy. That is until Jim's former showbiz buddy Ted (Corbin Bleu) turns up, to tempt Linda away with promises of Hollywood stardom. Is Jim's love and life at the Inn enough to make her stay?
Did You Know?
The global hotel chain Holiday Inn is named after the Bing Crosby movie. The company's first hotel, which opened in 1952, was named Holiday Inn Hotel Courts as a jokey movie reference by its architect Eddie Bluestein.