The producers of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, the stage adaptation of the beloved classic film, have announced casting for the upcoming National Tour.
The 2019 season will star David Elder as “Bob Wallace,” Jeremy Benton as “Phil Davis,” Kerry Conte as “Betty Haynes,” and Kelly Sheehan as “Judy Haynes.” Also featured are Conrad John Schuck as “General Waverly,” Lorna Luft as “Martha Watson,” Brad Frenette as “Ralph Sheldrake,” Danny Gardner as “Mike Nulty,” and Cliff Bemis as “Ezekiel Foster.” Additionally, Emma Grace Berardelli and Kyla Carter will be reprising the role of “Susan Waverly.”
Rounding out the cast of returning cast members are Darien Crago, Sarah Fagan, Drew Humphrey, Bryan Thomas Hunt, Brianna LaTrash, Stephanie Brooks Martin, Chris McNiff, Daniel Plimpton, Kristyn Pope, Sean Quinn, and Karilyn Ashley Surratt. Additional new cast members for the 2019 season include Lamont Brown, Kimberly Immanuel, Tina Johnson, Kristie Kerwin, and Chris Shin.
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas tells the story of a song-and-dance team putting on a show in a magical Vermont inn who fall for a stunning sister act in the process. Full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written, including “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” “Happy Holiday,” “Sisters,” “Blue Skies,” and the unforgettable title song, Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.”
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas features music and lyrics by Irving Berlin with book by David Ives and Paul Blake and is based upon the Paramount Pictures film written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama and Melvin Frank.
Cast Biographies
DAVID ELDER (Bob Wallace) is happy to be returning to this wonderful White Christmas family! Recent: Boy From Oz (Peter Allen), ACL (Zach), and Chicago (Billy Flynn). Broadway: Curtains (Bobby Pepper), 42nd Street Revival(Billy Lawlor, Outer Critics Circle, and Astaire Award Nominations), Kiss Me, Kate (Bill Calhoun/Lucentio), Titanic: The Musical (Frederick Fleet, the Lookout), Once Upon a Mattress starring Sarah Jessica Parker (Sir Harry), Damn Yankees starring Jerry Lewis (Bomber), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Salt, u/s Beast), and Guys and Dolls starring Nathan Lane(Guy, Crapshoot specialty). Film and TV: Across the Universe, Cradle Will Rock, Jeffrey, and “Guiding Light.”
KERRY CONTE (Betty Haynes). National Tour: Mary Poppins (Winifred Banks). San Francisco: Roman Holiday. Off-Broadway: Hey, Look Me Over!, Lady, Be Good! (City Center Encores), Meet Me in St. Louis, Ernest in Love, The Irish…and How They Got That Way (Irish Rep), York, 92nd St Y. Regional: My Fair Lady (Eliza); Mary Poppins (Mary) at Theatre by the Sea/North Shore; Hello, Dolly! (Irene); Carousel (Julie); Guys and Dolls (Sarah) at MT Wichita/Wichita Symphony, City Springs Theatre, Muny, New London Barn. Love to this wonderful company of people, family (Ma, Joe), and always for Dad. kerryconte.com
JEREMY BENTON (Phil Davis). Most recently: Perfect Picture (with Lillias White), Don Lockwood in Singin’ in the Rain, Bob Hope in the L.A. premiere of Cagney The Musical (Astaire Award nomination for his Off-Broadway performance of the same role). Favorite performances include Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street(Broadway,opposite Shirley Jones), Billy Crocker in Anything Goes (National Tour,opposite Rachel York), Springtime Tapper in the film The Producers, Wally Winston in Animal Crackers (Denver Center), Kenneth Gibson in Call Me Madam (opposite Beth Leavel) and Fred Astaire in Backwards in High Heels: The Ginger Musical (original cast). Follow him on Instagram: @jeremywbenton
KELLY SHEEHAN (Judy Haynes) is thrilled to once again be touring across the country with White Christmas! Broadway: 42nd Street, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Ensemble ’08 and ’09). Other credits include Guys and Dolls;The Will Rogers Follies; Oklahoma!; A Chorus Line; Singin’ in the Rain; On the Town; Anything Goes; No, No, Nanette; Lady Be Good. Thanks to Work Light, Randy, Michael, and Binder! “Love to my supportive parents and the most handsome fella I know, Bryan Hunt! Happy Holidays!”
CONRAD JOHN SCHUCK (General Waverly). Broadway: Annie with Sarah Jessica Parker, Annie Get Your Gun with Reba, Nice Work If You Can Get It with Matthew Broderick. London: The Caine Mutiny with Charleton Heston. Film: M*A*S*H (Painless), Star Trek IV and VI (Klingon Ambassador), Outrageous Fortune with Bette Midler, Woody Allen’s Curse of the Jade Scorpion. TV: Sgt. Enright in “McMillan & Wife” with Rock Hudson and recent guest roles in “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: SVU.” “I am thrilled to be asked back for my sixth season of White Christmas! No “Bah Humbug,” from me!”
LORNA LUFT (Martha Watson). Born to the legendary Judy Garland and producer Sid Luft, Lorna began her career on her mother’s TV show. Theatre: Promises, Promises; Snoopy, the Musical; Extremities; They’re Playing Our Song; Guys and Dolls; Grease; The Wizard of Oz; Holiday Inn; White Christmas. Film/TV: Grease 2; Where the Boys Are (’84); Trapper John, M.D. Lorna co-produced Life with Judy Garland, the Emmy-winning miniseries and her latest book, A Star Is Born: Judy Garland and the Film that Got Away was released to rave reviews. She also celebrates her mother’s songbook in a one-woman show and CD, Songs My Mother Taught Me.
CLIFF BEMIS (Ezekiel, Mr. Snoring Man, u/s General Waverly) originated the role of Ezekiel Foster in Irving Berlin’sWhite Christmas on Broadway. First National Tour of The Drowsy Chaperone. Regional theatre work includes Bucks County Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, Papermill Playhouse, Cleveland Playhouse, and Pasadena Playhouse. Films: Billy, Nancy Drew, World Trade Center, Au Pair II. TV: “Younger,” “The Blacklist,” “White Collar,” “Law and Order: SVU.” He established a music theatre scholarship at his alma mater Baldwin Wallace University. Celebrating 50 years as a member in Actors’ Equity.
EMMA GRACE BERARDELLI (Susan Waverly) is overjoyed to once again be touring with her White Christmas family!! Off-Broadway: Matilda (Matilda), Annie (Annie), Seussical (JoJo), Gypsy (Baby Louise), Ragtime & High School Musical. Proud Member: AEA, KOTA, Broadway Youth Ensemble & NYC Tap Crew. Many thanks to Lisa Calli, Barry Kolker, Amelia DeMayo, DMO, TEDS & Acting Out! Extremely Grateful to Binder Casting, the entire White Christmas creative team & Work Light Productions for this dream come true!! “Always count your blessings.” Love to mom, dad, Alexandra, Ava, family, friends, Sparky & God. @officialemmaberardelli www.emmagraceberardelli.com
KYLA CARTER (Susan Waverly). SAG/AFTRA/Equity actress. National tour: The Sound of Music(Gretl/Marta VonTrapp-original cast), Irving Berlin‘sWhite Christmas (Susan Waverly). Pre-Broadway: Diana (Young Diana), The Bedwetter (Amy). Television: “Trolls: The Beat Goes On!” (DreamWorks, CJ Suki), “WallyKazam!” (Nickelodeon, Hattie the Witch). Has appeared on ABC, Bravo, HBO, NBCUniversal, Netflix, PBS. Recipient of the 2017 Encore Award for Excellence in Long Island Theater – “Best Child Actor” in Gypsy (Baby June). “Warm thanks and sincere gratitude to the entire White Christmas creative team for inviting me back and to my loving family for allowing me to live my dream!” http://www.kylacarter.com @KylaDCarter.
BRAD FRENETTE (Ralph Sheldrake, u/s Bob Wallace). National tour: Hello, Dolly!. European tour: Madagascar. Regional credits include Goodspeed Opera House, Paper Mill Playhouse, Stages St. Louis and Pennsylvania Centre Stage. B.F.A. Penn State. “Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!” @bjfrenette.
DANNY GARDNER (Mike Nulty, Ed Sullivan, Quintet, u/s Sheldrake). Credits: Dames at Sea (Broadway);The NY Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes (Radio City Music Hall); Lady, Be Good! (Encores!); Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (National Tour); 42nd Street (National Tour);Here to Stay – The Gershwin Experience (National Symphonic Tour);Neurosis (Off-Broadway); Room 17B and Everybody Gets Cake (Off-Broadway); Crazy For You (Signature Theatre); Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder (Engeman Theatre); Mary Poppins (Theatre Under The Stars); The Music Man (Asolo Repertory Theatre). @dannyjgnyc