Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn at Paper Mill Playhouse; Nicholas Rodriguez (Jim) and company; photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
The Paper Mill Playhouse truly delights their audiences this season with their production of Holiday Inn. Based on the film of the same name from Universal Pictures with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, this show has a book by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge.
Holiday Inn is an older style musical that plays well at this time of the year. However, under the very competent direction of Gordon Greenberg, this production has a new life to it. The cast is superb as they sing and dance musical numbers that are classics. Choreography is by Denis Jones and music direction by Shawn Gough.
Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn at Paper Mill Playhouse; Nicholas Rodriguez (Jim, center) and company; photo by Jerry Dalia
The story remains true to its original roots as it looks at the song and dance team of Ted Hanover and Jim Hardy. They are a part of a show that is ending. Jim proposes to his love, dancer Lila Dixon, and tells her of his excitement to buy a farm in Connecticut. Lila realizes that she is love with him but more in love with the potential to become a star. So when word comes extending the show, Lila eagerly jumps at the chance while remaining engaged to Jim who leaves to go to Connecticut to finalize the sale of the Mason farm. He eagerly waits for Lila to finish the show and come to Connecticut to marry him.
Farm life turns out to be more difficult than Jim imagined. Linda Mason, a family member of the former owners understands his dilemma. She helps him when he decides to turn it into a what we might now call a Bed and Breakfast that runs shows with Broadway performers on holidays only. As the Inn develops, Ted returns to help with a show and bring in badly needed audiences.
Jeff Kready (Ted), Hayley Podschun (Linda), Nicholas Rodriguez (Jim), and company; photo by Jerry Dalia
There is more to the story that involves Jim and Linda falling in love and eventually of course living happily ever after. But before that happens, the audience is treated to some of the most classic songs out of the Irving Berlin collection. “Blue Skies” sung by Nicholas Rodriquez as Jim is a stand out moment. Jeff Kready brings the show to an exciting level as he tap dances in midst of firecrackers going off onstage to “Let’s Say it with Firecrackers/Song of Freedom.” “Easter Parade” brings the entire show’s company out is full force as they display some very memorable hats. One of the biggest songs to emerge from this show, “White Christmas” is beautifully performed by Mr. Rodriquez and Haley Podschun as Linda.
The wardrobe is remarkable and many costumes are a part of this show. Scenery is done with attention to color and the front of the stage has an extension which allows the performers to come out even closer to the crowd.
The cast for this show does a fantastic job. Principal cast features Paige Faure as Lila Dixon, Jordon Gelber as Danny, and Ann Harada as Louise. Jeff Kready plays Ted Hanover with Hayley Podschun as Linda Mason. Nicholas Rodriguez is Jim Hardy with Jian Harrell and Aidan Alberto alternating in the role of Charlie Winslow.
Additional cast members include Jordon Beall, Gene Biscontini, Colin Bradbury, Tricia DeSario, and Taylor Fields. Also in the cast are Kelly Gleason, Juliane Godfrey, Berklea Going, Joshua Israel, Julie Kavanagh, Mallory Nolting. Clifton Samuels, JT Teeling, Karl Skylar Urban, Amy Van Norstrand, Scarlett Walker, Travis Ward-Osborne, and John T. Wolfe.
Holiday Inn is good entertainment for the entire family to come out and enjoy. You just can’t help but smile as you tap your feet to tunes that are a part of our culture. It is a great show to see this time of year.
To see photos of the Curtain Call on Opening Night, go to a previous article on this site: ‘Holiday Inn’ Opening Night Curtain Call.
Additional Information about Holiday Inn
Run Time: Approx. 2 hr. 30 minutes which includes one 15 intermission
Location: Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ
Performances: Eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday now through Dec. 30, 2018.
Suggested Audience: Family friendly
Special Performances and Enrichment Offerings:
Audio-described performances are on Saturday, December 29, 2018, at 1:30pm and Sunday, December 30, 2018, at 1:30pm. Prior to these performances at noon, the theater will offer free sensory seminars.
A sign-interpreted and open-captioned performance is on Sunday, December 30, 2018, at 7:00pm.
Conversation Club: Thursday evenings, November 29, December 6, December 13 and December 20 one hour before curtain for an informal, informative gathering.
Q&A with the Cast: After the matinee on Saturday, December 15 with cast members.