EMMIE BOESE
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. —Nick Amezola has performed in many productions but he will debut his first time in the directors chair for a full-length musical production of White Christmas. Family Community Theatre will open the curtain at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Flag Theatre.
Amezola was a music director for a kids summer camp when he heard that White Christmas was in need of a director.
"And I was like, you know what, I would love to direct,"Amezola said. "And then they were just like, okay and then it was just kind of a very informal process."
White Christmas is based on the 1954 Paramount Pictures Film which was written for the screen by Norman Panama, Melvin Frank and Norman Krasna. Amezola said Family Community Theatre performed White Christmas a decade ago and received rights to showcase it again in 2023.
"It's a very popular movie," Amezola said. "Like it's been out for awhile and it is very different from the movie so I'm hoping people will get that nostalgic feel but also it's a whole new experience. So it's going to be funny. It's going to be some heart wrenching moments you know. All the above."
There are 36 total cast members which includes the ensemble. The four lead characters are Bob Wallace, Phil Davis, Betty Haynes and Judy Haynes. Nilo Reynoso and Nicholas Amezola will be the male leads and Keeley Coon/Savanna Burt and Catherine Vessey will be the female leads.
"Well White Christmas is about a duo, Bob and Phil who come across these two sisters from a friend they knew back in the Army and then Phil and Judy who is one of the sisters, end up really hitting it off," Amezola said. "And they want to get Bob and other sister Betty together so they come up with this whole plot to go with the sisters to Vermont to their general from the war. The general, he owns an Inn so they go up to Vermont and find out that the general is in a bit of financial trouble so they end up trying to put on a show there to get him out of it."
Amezola said there are quite a few musical numbers throughout the show. He said folks may recognize the tune White Christmas that was written by Irving Berlin.
"There's like Best Things Happen While You're Dancing, there's Snow but that's sung by the whole cast rather than just the four leads in the movie," Amezola said.
The cast will perform at the same tomorrow night and on Sunday at 3 p.m. Next week, Family Community Theatre will host three more nights of White Christmas. The curtain opens at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for children and can be bought before the show. Tickets can also be bought online. Season passes can be used for admission.
Flag Theatre is located at 310 N. Main St. More information about White Christmas and Family Community Theatre is available at familycommunitytheatre.org.
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White Christmas:
Bob Wallace - Nilo Reynoso
Phil Davis - Nicholas Amezola
Betty Haynes - Keeley Coon/Savanna Burt(Dec. 1st & 2nd)
Judy Haynes - Catherine Vessey
General Henry-Waverly - Ted Weis
Martha Watson - Natalia Anna Geuy
Susan Waverly - Esther Blakley
Ralph Sheldrake - Nate Hershberger
Rita - Amalia Geuy
Rhoda - Erikka Geuy
Ezekiel Foster/Snoring Man - James Pope
Mike - Micah Christian
Tessie/Mrs. Snoring Man- Adolaide Clobes
Jimmy/Ed Sullivan/Regency Room Announcer - Matthew Christian
Train Conductor - Samuel Basgall
Dance Captain - Addison Rains
Seamstress - Wendy Pope
Sheldrake's Secretary - Crystal Clobes
Girl Trio - Ava Johnston, Bristol Perez, Spencer Dugnolle
Ensemble: Nate Hershberger, James Pope, Micah Christian, Adolaide Clobes, Matthew Christian, Samuel Basgall, Addison Rains, Wendy Pope, Crystal Clobes, Rohn Chapman, Bristol Perez, Spencer Dugnolle, Amara Dugnolle, Nicholas Hockett
Screenplay: Norman Panama, Melvin Frank, Norman Krasna of Paramount Pictures Film
Music and Lyrics: Irving Berlin
Book: David Ives and Paul Blake
Original Stage Production: Walter Bobie
Orchestrations: Larry Blank
Vocal and Dance Arrangements: Bruce Pomahac