A Toby's Dinner Theater production has two strong appeals:
The make-it-yourself sundae bar (maybe it's an allergies issue, but would be great if Toby's could add chopped peanuts along with the other toppings offered) and unbridled enthusiasm.
A Toby's production is a FUN production-like that aforementioned ice cream, sweet, cool, it goes down easy. If you're looking for David Mamet, Ernst Toller or any play that makes you go "Eh?", Toby's isn't for you. If, however, you're a fan of splashy musicals served with roast beef, rice pilaf and a cube of carrot cake, you've come to the right place.
Toby's of Baltimore recently kicked off the holiday season with their rendition of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," perhaps best remembered as the 1954 movie starring Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney and Danny Kaye. While no one will confuse the cast of Toby's with these icons, or a million-dollar Broadway production (actor and Toby's assistant director of marketing, Daniel McDonald, greeted the audience with news that tickets for "White Christmas" in New York were going for $180 apiece, significantly more than Toby's charges...plus, no dinner rolls and vegetable medley on the Great White Way), the show provided a mid-sized audience with over two hours of flashing sequins and smiles, melodic voices and sweet sentimentality...and that's entertainment.
Granted, the story of "White Christmas" is somewhat dated-women being defined by the ring they have (or don't have) on their finger, marriage trumping career-but if one is willing to suspend one's 21st century cynicism, the story has its appeal.
Lawrence Munsey and David James are Capt. Bob Wallace and Private Phil Davis, two Army buddies fighting World War II apathy with song-and-dance as their curmudgeonly general, Henry Waverly (Samn Huffer) ponders the stuff-and-nonsense with a begrudging smile. Jump 10 years to 1954; Wallace and Davis are now fixtures on the Ed Sullivan Show. The boys catch fellow entertainers Betty and Judy Hanes' (Janine Gulisano-Sunday and Julia Lancione) performance of "Sisters," and before you can grab your fedora, all four are on a train on their way to Vermont...where a retired Gen. Waverly just happens to own an inn.
Naturally everybody falls in love, there's a brief misunderstanding due to a self-proclaimed busybody and Ethel Merman wannabe Martha (Jane Boyle) and there's no snow in the forecast, but it's an Irving Berlin musical, so you know everything will be as right as the Christmas is white by curtain's fall.
While no one performer's voice dominated the production, it's clear all those on stage know their way around a musical phrase. Two-time Helen Hayes Best Supporting Actor winner David James has the right energy and boyish glee to make his Phil the perfect foil to Munsey's slow-to-warm Bob. Kaila Frieman's pre-teen Susan provides the requisite touch of child-adorability, and Ray Hatch's Mike was a crowd pleaser as the desparately harried director of a show-that-must-go-on with or without snow.
Huffer's characterization of the gruff-but-with-a-heart-of-gold General Waverly was touching and sincere without being maudlin-not an easy act to pull off. Boyle's Martha and Daniel McDonald's Ezekiel might have been plucked from the cast of Bob Newhart's "Newhart," a sit-com about a Vermont innkeeper.
Paula Lynn deserves credit for her choreography as production numbers were nearly flawless with a cast of 25 performing a variety of dance and tap moves to the delight of the audience.
Toby's Scenic Designer David Hopkins and the set construction staff do an admirable job in creating a variety of different scenes, from a railway car to a TV studio to hotel lobby to a Vermont barn. Special kudos to Mr. Munsey who, in addition to playing the male lead in this production, is also the costume designer. Munsey effectively brought the 1950s back to life, from tap dancing Oxydol detergent boxes to a showgirl outfit that will change your perspective on Christmas trees forever.
Toby's of Baltimore's presentation of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" continues now through January 10, 2010 at the Best Western Hotel and Conference Center at 5625 O'Donnell Street. For ticket information, call the box office at 410-649-1660 or 1-866-99TOBYS or visit www.tobysdinnertheatre.com.
