The film White Christmas is a classic: its iconic cast headed by Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, and Danny Kaye, have crooned and swooned their way into our collective hearts since 1954. The stage version  – renamed Irving Berlin’s White Christmas is a musical tribute to the great man himself and still follows the basic storyline of the film.

Full disclosure: I’m never a fan of movies on stage. This version now on stage at the Festival Theatre in Niagara on the Lake, does its very best to keep the spirit of the film.

The storyline is pure Hollywood by way of a Vermont country inn. A song and dance duo learn that their commanding officer’s post-war inn is in trouble. They make a plan to reunite their old Army buddies and show the inn and its owner their support. Along the way, they meet a couple girls, fall in love, sing some songs, and set themselves up for a happily ever after.

Like every Shaw Festival production, this one has a beautiful set, outstanding music, and a great cast. Kevin McLachlan is the joker and Jeff Irving is Bob Wallace the crooner. One of their early goals in the show is to add a “sister act” to their road show; enter Camille Eanga-Selenge as Betty Haynes and Mary Antonini as Judy Haynes who charm us early on with the “Sisters” duet, complete with feathery fans. Of course, they fall in love with “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing,” and Bob and Betty share a poignant moment when the “Count Their Blessings.” Eanga-Selenge does Rosemary Clooney proud with her sultry cover of “Love, You Didn’t Do Right By Me” and the whole thing comes together when the snow starts falling and the whole cast warms up with “White Christmas.”

What’s different about the stage version is the addition of more Berlin tunes like “I Love a Piano” and the absence of the Minstrel Show. General Waverly’s granddaughter is a very young girl, charmingly played by Celine Jung, and Emma the housekeeper is now Martha the concierge (Jenni Burke), a good ol’ vaudeville gal who is itchin’ to get back onstage.

I did like the more rustic, country costuming, using lots of red and green plaid and similar fabrics and colors. It gave a cozy and warm feeling against the more elegant evening wear in other scenes.

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas onstage at the Festival Theatre (always such a treat to see a show here) is the feel-good holiday musical that we crave this time of year, full of songs you know and love. It’s onstage here until December 21. Check out tickets and details at https://www.shawfest.com/playbill/white-christmas/.