Irving Berlin�s White Christmas: announces principle cast

The upcoming Broadway production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas, a new musical stage reinvention of the beloved classic film, has announced that Stephen Bogardus, Kerry O�Malley, Jeffry Denman, Meredith Patterson, Charles Dean and Susan Mansur will lead a cast of 33 in the show's holiday engagement on Broadway.

Following productions in San Francisco, Boston, Detroit, Toronto, Los Angeles and St. Paul, White Christmas opens at the Marquis Theatre on 23 Nov 2008, following previews from 14 Nov for a limited engagement running through to 4 Jan 2009.

Stephen Bogardus will star as song and dance man 'Bob Wallace,' the role made famous by Bing Crosby in the classic 1954 film. He has starred in the St. Paul and Boston companies of Irving Berlin�s White Christmas.

Bogardus was nominated for a Tony Award for his role as 'Gregory Mitchell' in 'Love! Valour! Compassion!' (1995), his other Broadway credits include 'Old Acquaintance' (2007 revival), 'Man of La Mancha' (2002 revival), 'James Joyce's The Dead' (2000), 'High Society' (1998), 'King David' (1997), 'Falsettos' (1992), 'The Grapes of Wrath' (1990), 'Les Mis�rables' (1987) and 'West Side Story' (1980 revival).

Kerry O'Malley will play 'Betty Haynes,' one-half of the beautiful and talented sister act that teams up with Bob and Phil. She played the role in Boston in 2005 opposite Bogardus, as well as in St. Paul in 2006 and returned to star in the Boston company last season.

On Broadway she has appeared in 'Into the Woods' (2002 revival), 'Annie Get Your Gun' (1999 revival) and 'Cyrano - The Musical' (1993).

Jeffry Denman will play Bogardus�s army buddy, the charismatic ladies� man 'Phil Davis,' the role he created in the world premiere in San Francisco in 2004, and reprised in the Los Angeles, St. Paul and Boston productions.

On Broadway he has appeared in 'The Producers' (2001), 'Dream' (1997), 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' (1995 revival) and 'Cats' (1982). He choreographed the long running Off-Broadway hit Naked Boys Singing!.

Meredith Patterson will play Betty�s younger sister 'Judy Haynes,' and reunites with Denman after also originating her role in the 2004 San Francisco world premiere, followed by turns in the 2005 Los Angeles and 2007 Boston productions. She recently danced opposite Denman again in the world premiere of The 'Gershwins' An American in Paris.' at Houston�s Alley Theatre.

Patterson made her Broadway debut in the ensemble of the original cast of the 2001 revival of '42nd Street' before graduating to the lead role of 'Peggy Sawyer.' She has also appeared on Broadway in Julie Taymor�s 'The Green Bird,' (2000).

Charles Dean will play 'General Waverly,' Bob and Phil�s former commanding officer and proprietor of the Vermont inn. The actor makes his Broadway debut while returning to the role he originated in the 2004 San Francisco world premiere, and reprised in last season�s Boston engagement.

Susan Mansur will play 'Martha Watson,' General Waverly�s right-hand woman, a role she has returned to for the last four holiday seasons after originating in San Francisco.

She has appeared on Broadway in the revival of 'Damn Yankees' (1994) opposite Jerry Lewis. Her Off-Broadway credits include 'Steel Magnolias' and the original cast of the musical 'Ruthless!'

Additional casting will be announced shortly.

White Christmas is directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie (Chicago) and choreographed by Randy Skinner, with a book by David Ives and Paul Blake.

The musical tells the story of two showbiz buddies, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, who put on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn and find their perfect mates in the bargain - sister act Betty and Judy Haynes, and features the classic songs 'Sisters,' 'Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep' and of course White Christmas.

The creative team includes Anna Louizos (sets), Carrie Robbins (costumes), Ken Billington (lighting) and Acme Sound Partners (sound).

White Christmas is being produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, John Gore, Tom McGrath, Paul Blake, The Producing Office, Dan Markley, Sonny Everett and Broadway Across America in association with Paramount Pictures.

The Paramount picture, released in 1954, was directed by Michael Curtiz and choreograped by Bob Fosse (Not credited), it starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellening.