Come From Away tells the true — and utterly heartwarming — story of what happened when 38 planes
were ordered to land unexpectedly in a small Newfoundland town following the 9/11 attacks. The
show, described as “a big bear hug of a musical,” is a tribute to the essential goodness of humanity.
SUMMER 2018 | artsLife 73
hit Broadway shows.
Hello, Dolly!, with lyrics and music by Jerry
Herman and a book by Michael Stewart, is
one the most enduring musicals in theater
history for good reason. It’s pure entertainment,
with over-the-top characters, spectacular
costuming and memorable songs
— not the least of which is the title tune.
The familiar story follows the adventures of
meddling matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi
match for the miserly “well-known unmarried
half-a-millionaire” Horace Vandergelder.
“When I saw the new Broadway production
starring Bette Midler, I literally wept with
happiness,” says Buckley. “It was one of the
most joyful productions I’ve ever witnessed.
I’m delighted and honored to be added to
the list of the wonderful actresses and singers
who’ve played the role of Dolly.”
■ Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (December
18–23). Everyone knows White Christmas
Bing Crosby,
Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-
Ellen — along with songs by Irving Berlin, one
of the greatest American composers in the
history of popular music.
But it’s also a stage musical that debuted
in 2004 in San Francisco before two limited
runs on Broadway (in 2008 and 2009) and
national tours that still continue.
The lavish stage version, Irving Berlin’s
White Christmas-
rious dancing and — a treat for Floridians—
plenty of snow.
It’s the story of a pair of producers, Bob
Wallace and Phil Davis, who fall for a sister
act, Betty and Judy Haynes, and stage an
extravaganza at the Columbia Inn in Pine
Tree, Vermont. It’s a delightfully loopy love
story that ends happily despite many twists
and turns.
You may recall that the song “White
Christmas” was originally sung by Crosby in
Holiday Inn, winning an Oscar
for Best Original Song. But it sounded just as
good in 1954 — and will still make you want
to sing along in 2018.
The musical earned Tony nominations for
Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations
in 2009, as well as numerous Drama Desk
Award nominations.
PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY