Irving Berlin's White Christmas announces principal cast

The Tony Award nominated musical Irving Berlin's White Christmas, the new stage reinvention of the beloved classic film, directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Randy Skinner, has announced its principal cast.

James Clow, Melissa Errico, Tony Yazbeck and Mara Davi will star in the Broadway return production also starring Ruth Williamson, Peter Reardon, Remy Auberjonois, Cliff Bemis, Madeleine Yen and David Ogden Stiers, who will lead a cast of 33 in the limited holiday engagement.

Performances of Irving Berlin's White Christmas begin at the Marriott Marquis Theatre on 13 Nov 2009, for a limited engagement of 61 performances only, through to 3 Jan 2010.

James Clow will star as song and dance man 'Bob Wallace,' the role made famous by Bing Crosby in the classic 1954 film. He starred in the role last season in the Detroit production at the Fox Theater and has appeared in the Broadway musicals 'Assassins,' 'Wonderful Town,' 'Company,' 'She Loves Me' and 'Blood Brothers.'

Melissa Errico will play 'Betty Haynes,' one-half of the beautiful and talented sister act that teams up with Bob and Phil. She received a Tonynomination for her starring role in 'Amour' and has also appeared on Broadway in 'Dracula,' 'My Fair Lady,' 'High Society' and 'Anna Karenina.'

Tony Yazbeck will play Mr. Clow�s army buddy, the charismatic ladies� man 'Phil Davis,' a role he played in the 2007 Toronto holiday engagement of the musical. He also appeared on Broadway in the recent revival of 'Gypsy' starring Patti LuPone, 'A Chorus Line' and off-Broadway in 'On the Town' for City Center Encores!

Mara Davi will play Betty�s younger sister 'Judy Haynes' after starring in the role last season in the St. Paul production at the Ordway Center. She recently starred in the Broadway revival of 'A Chorus Line,' as 'Janet Van de Graaff' in 'The Drowsy Chaperone,' and off-Broadway in the title role in 'No, No Nanette' for City Center Encores!

Ruth Williamson will play 'Martha Watson,' General Waverly�s right-hand woman, a role she will return to after first playing it in Los Angeles in 2005 and again in St. Paul in 2006. She recently starred in the Broadway revival of 'La Cage Aux Folles.'

Peter Reardon returns to the role of Bob and Phil�s former Army buddy 'Ralph Sheldrake' from last season�s original Broadway company. He has also appeared on Broadway in 'Urinetown,' 'Passion,' 'Meet Me in St. Louis' and 'La Cage Aux Folles.'

Remy Auberjonois will make his Irving Berlin�s White Christmas debut in the role of Columbia Inn�s neurotic stage manager 'Mike Nulty.' He has appeared on Broadway in 'Frost/Nixon' and 'The Country Girl.'

Cliff Bemis appeared in last season�s original Broadway company as the Columbia Inn stage hand 'Ezekiel Foster,' a role he originated in the world premiere of Irving Berlin�s White Christmas in 2004. He also recently starred in the first national tour of 'The Drowsy Chaperone' as 'Feldzieg.'

Madeleine Yen makes her Broadway debut and returns to the role of General Henry Waverly�s precocious granddaughter 'Susan Waverly' following appearing in last season�s Detroit production at the Fox Theater. She plays 'Milli' in the upcoming Nickelodeon cartoon series 'Umizoomi,' and recently appeared at Carnegie Hall as 'Anna' in the concert presentation of the musical 'Kristina.'

David Ogden Stiers will play 'General Henry Waverly,' Bob and Phil�s former commanding officer and proprietor of the Vermont inn. The Emmy Award nominated actor, widely known to television audiences as 'Major Charles Winchester' from the iconic series 'M*A*S*H,' returns to the role he played in the 2005 Los Angeles production at the Pantages Theatre, the 2006 St. Paul company at the Ordway Center, and last season�s Detroit company at the Fox Theater. He has appeared on Broadway in 'The Magic Show,' 'Ulysses in Nighttown' and 'Scapin.'

Additional casting will be announced shortly.

White Christmas made its Broadway debut at the Marquis Theatre last season following productions around the country.

The musical tells the story of two showbiz buddies who put on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn, and find their perfect mates in the bargain, and will feature the classic songs 'Sisters,' 'Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep' and of course 'White Christmas.'

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 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.