Westchester Broadway Theatre Presents
It Happened One Christmas Eve
By Bob Fitzsimmons
original Music & Lyrics by Barbara Campbell and Steven Silverstein.
Musical arrangements by Steven Silverstein.
Directed and Choreographed by Richard Stafford
Musical Direction by Bob Bray
November 27th – December 23rd, 2019
It Happened One Christmas Eve is the heart-warming story, about an infant left on the doorstep of an old brownstone rooming-house in Brooklyn on Christmas Eve, and the magic she brings to the lives of those who find her.
The show features a book by Bob Fitzsimmons, original music & lyrics by Steven Silverstein & Barbara Campbell, and musical arrangements by Steven Silverstein. The story of “It Happened One Christmas Eve” unfolds over several Christmas Eves. Told in flashback, it spans plenty of time periods: 1989 to 1919 to 1929 to 1938, 1941, 1944 and 1952. Then back to 1989.
Richard Stafford, the Director said; “It happened One Christmas Eve” is the heartwarming story of a boarding house family—There are many kinds of families and sometimes we create our own based on trust, love and hope. Our characters had faith and they trusted in each other. They believed in charity, not the showy kind, but the quite kind that brings comfort to the soul. Isn’t that what the spirit of Christmas is all about?”
There are plenty of story lines among a house full of interesting characters; an Irish cook, an English spinster, a Brooklyn showgirl who dreams of stardom, a proud Boston poetess and two Romanian brothers. Their lives are changed forever one Christmas Eve when a baby is placed on their Brooklyn doorstep. That baby, they name her Dolly, grows in their love, a child of charity.
There are also plenty of songs, some familiar, some penned just for this show: From “Silent Night” and “Holly Jolly Christmas” to a bouncy “We Haven’t Got Time for Christmas” that opens the show and a heartfelt “I’m All Alone in the World.”
The cast features Devon Perry reprises her role of Dolly, Elliott Litherland as BuddyAllyson Tucker as Millie, Jayson Elliottas Serge , Sarah Coltas Elizabeth, Michael Farinaas Sigmund, Amy Griffin as Bridget and Bonnie Fraseras Charlotte.Aubrey Sinn is the Standby. Young Dolly will be played, alternately, by local children;Haylie Shea and Delia Spiegelman.
Bob Fitzsimmons, a gifted actor, director and playwright, ran publicity for Westchester Broadway Theatre in its early days and shepherded successful children’s plays there. The graduate of Archbishop Stepinac High School directed school and community theatre shows across Westchester until his untimely death, at 37, in 1992. Each year, WBT gives a scholarship in his name to a Stepinac graduate who has excelled in theatre.
The production is Directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, who has been at the helm for several WBT productions including; An American In Paris and Anything Goes. Musical Director is Bob Bray. Set Design is by Steven Loftus, Lighting Design is by Andrew Gmoser, Sound Design is by Mark Zuckerman, Costume Design is by Keith Nielsen. Wig design by Gerard Kelly The Production Stage Manager is Victor Lukas. ASM is Aubrey Sinn. Properties are by Grumpy Props. As with all our productions, Lisa Tiso is the Associate Producer.
Richard Stafford (Director/Choreographer) returns to WBT, having directed/choreographed recent productions of Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, Saturday Night Fever, Show Boat, Mary Poppins, Guys & Dolls, Fiddler On The Roof, Miracle on 34th Street and many more.On Broadway, choreographer for In My Life (Music Box Theatre), associate choreographer for Aspects Of Love (Broadhurst Theatre), dance supervisor for Cats (Winter Garden Theatre). Off-Broadway credits include choreography for A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (St. Clements). Regional: Dreamgirls, Miss Saigon (North Carolina Theatre); Curtains, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Beauty And The Beast, Cats (Walnut Street Theatre), Oliver!, Joseph…Dreamcoat, Cats (Pittsburgh CLO), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Oliver!, Joseph…Dreamcoat, Cats (Sacramento Music Circus), The King & I, Singin’ In The Rain, Crazy For You, Fame, Swing, Cats (North Shore Music Theatre), Beauty And The Beast, The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas starring Sally Struthers (Ogunquit Playhouse), The Sound Of Music, Annie Get Your Gun (North Carolina Theatre), Evita (Casa Mañana).
Ticket Prices: Dinner & Show range between $61.00 to $91.00 PLUS TAX depending on the performance chosen. Beverage Service & Gratuities are not included in the ticket price. Discounts are available for children, students, and senior citizens at selected performances. Also check the website for on-going Special Offers! www.BroadwayTheatre.com
Show Times: Wednesday & Thursday & some Friday Matinees: Lunch: 11:30 am & Show 1 pm.
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday Evenings: Dinner: 6:30 pm & Show: 8 pm.
Sunday Matinees: Lunch: 12 pm & Show: 1:30 pm
Sunday Evenings: Dinner: 5:30 pm & Show: 7 pm.
Reservations: Call (914)-592-2222. Also at: www.BroadwayTheatre.com
Group Reservations: Discounts for Groups of 20 or More: Call 592-2225.
Luxury Boxes: Call 592-8730, for private parties of 6 to 22. Enjoy dining and theatre in an elegant private box. Additional features include an expanded dinner menu, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, private powder room, andLuxury Box reserved parking. Additional cost, call for details.
WBT Mainstage:
It Happened One Christmas Eve – November 27th – December 23rd 2019
Lend Me A Tenor – January 3rd – January 26th 2020
Five Guys Named Mo – January 30th – March 1st, 2020
All Shook Up – March 5th – May 3rd, 2020
Cinderella – May 7th – July 5th 2020
9 To 5 – July 9th – September 19th