I was dreaming of a White Christmas, until we were pounded with tiny little snowfalls over and over this winter…and it is only Christmas. However, I am always dreaming at Christmas time of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas made famous by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. It is one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies. I have even had the privilege of working on the theatrical show in a backstage capacity at my school.

In the 2024 and 2025 holiday seasons Chanhassen Dinner Theater, a main stay in Minnesota, has presented their own rendition. My family had gone to see the other Irving Berlin classic, Holiday Inn, at Chanhassen several years ago and we had seen White Christmas at the Ordway (where, fun fact, I had won a wedding in 2008), but this rendition was in its last run at Chanhassen after having sold out the year before even after having their run extended. I love White Christmas…I don’t love White Christmas in October, so I purchased the tickets early as a Christmas present for my family.

Chanhassen delivered on the fun and the eternal hope that White Christmas brings…even for the biggest skeptic.

No one could ever recreate the role played by Bing Crosby, and it is almost unfair to ask Michael Gruber to attempt to try. Tony Vierling was sold as Phil Davis, but both seemed tired and well-rehearsed more than extremely talented. The women were the scene stealers in the show, with a stellar performance by Ann Michels as Judy Haynes. She gave a nuanced performance of the character and nailed the sultry and campy tunes of the time. Andrea Mislan as Judy was equally solid. Kersten Rodau as Martha Watson was hilarious and nailed her “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy number.

My personal scene stealer for the show was Shad Hanley as Ralph Sheldrake. You could tell that he was loving every single moment of being the big executive in all his slimy glory. He was constantly spot on and full of energy and a smile.

The benefit of performing the same show multiple years in a row and night after night is that the staging is incredibly solid. The dance numbers were really well choreographed and seamless transitions between scenes made the show click like clockwork.

The experience of going to the theater is well worth the cost of the ticket and that includes the supper club type ambience of the Chanhassen with mass-produced menus of decent food. The theater performances are fun more than awe inspiring, right along the line of Minneapolis Children’s Theater Company. The drive from my end of the city makes it a tough sell as to whether or not the cost is worth the ticket – White Christmas at the Holidays, the memory is worth the experience if you can possibly find your way to an opportunity to see a holiday show at the  Chanhassen, I recommend it—if you can get tickets!