Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS

Character Descriptions

BOB WALLACE

Male presenting, late 20s to mid-40’s. Vocal range: C3-A4.

Bob is the guiding force behind the song and dance team of Wallace and Davis. He wears his fame easily and is a born leader but has some trouble with social and romantic interactions. Despite his occasional gruffness, he is a deeply kind and principled man who is searching for his true love. Seeking a singer with a crooning style who moves very well. 

PHIL DAVIS

Male presenting, age range: late 20’s to mid-40s. Vocal range: A2-F4.

The fun loving, go-getting song-and-dance partner of the team of Wallace and Davis. An irrepressible clown, operator and incorrigible ladies' man with boyish charm who is determined to see his friend happy, even if it requires scheming and outright deception.  Actor should be a strong tapper/dancer. 

BETTY HAYNES

Female presenting. Age range: mid-20’s to 30’s. Vocal range: A3-F5.

Betty is Judy’s older sister and the one half of the up-and-coming song and dance duo,

The Haynes Sisters. Although she is ambitious and would like to be a star in her own right, she is still hesitant to take the spotlight due to her loyalty and care for Judy. Like Bob, she hides her yearning for true love under a protective shell. Must move well.

JUDY HAYNES

Female presenting, age range: mid-20’s to 30’s. Vocal range: G3-E5.

Judy is the younger sister of Betty and one half of the song and dance duo, The Haynes Sisters. She is flirtatious, making her popular with the men. Judy embarks on a relationship with Phil Davis, one half of the song and dance duo, Wallace and Davis. Major song-and-dance performer.

GENERAL HENRY WAVERLY

Male presenting, age range: late 50’s to mid-60’s.

A retired U.S. Army General, adjusting to returning to civilian life in post-World War II America. Once a powerful leader, he now struggles to run an Inn in Vermont. Beneath his curmudgeonly military exterior lies a warm, compassionate man of great principle and dignity in need of family and love. Except for one line, this is a non-singing role.

MARTHA WATSON

Female presenting, age range: late 50’s to early 70’s. Vocal range: G3-D5.

Once a Broadway star, now the general's housekeeper at the Inn, Martha is witty with a dry, wry, wisecracking sense of humor. Bighearted but completely unsentimental, she runs the General's life despite his protestations. She is an irrepressible meddler, but always for what she believes to be the other guy's best interests. She is practical and unsentimental

comedienne with a clarion belt voice.

SUSAN WAVERLY

Female presenting, age range: 9-12.

Susan is a lovable and outgoing real kid who is also the General's granddaughter. A born performer, Susan is a smart, talented tap dancer, who is wise beyond her years. She wants to protect her grandfather and help the Columbia Inn to succeed. Actor must have an excellent belt voice and be able to move well.

RALPH SHELDRAKE

Male presenting. Age range: mid to late 30’s.

An ex-army buddy of Bob and Phil's, Ralph is now a major television executive with the Ed Sullivan Show.  He is a fast-talking New York professional, a class clown and loves to make people laugh. This role may be doubled with other ensemble roles.

RITA AND RHODA

Female presenting. Age range: late 20’s to late 30’s.

Bob and Phil's two star chorus girls. They are brash and fun, although perhaps not the smartest. May double in the ensemble as featured dancers.

EZEKIEL FOSTER

Male presenting. Age range mid-40’s to 60’s.

A practical, laid-back New Englander who enjoys a slower pace in everything he does.  A man of few words, Ezekiel is the caretaker at the inn. Will double in the ensemble.

MIKE

Male presenting 30’s to 40’s.

A comic foil with a clipboard, Mike/Mickie is the Stage Manager for Wallace and Davis.  This actor should have a flair for the dramatic and a big laugh. Good comedic timing and skills required. Will double in the ensemble. 

ENSEMBLE ROLES

Ensemble Members will also play the following roles and may be doubled:

TESSIE

 Bob and Phil’s extremely competent assistant.

JIMMY

 The proprietor of ‘Jimmy’s Back Room’ night club.

CIGARETTE GIRL

MR. SNORING MAN

MRS. SNORING MAN

Both have featured singing lines in ‘Snow’. Ability to sing close harmony required.

TRAIN CONDUCTOR

DANCE CAPTAIN

SEAMSTRESS

ASSISTANT SEAMSTRESS

ED SULLIVAN ANNOUNCER

TRAIN PASSENGERS

INN GUESTS

"JIMMY'S BACK ROOM" CLUBGOERS

PATRONS OF THE REGENCY ROOM

CHORUS KIDS (ages 16 to 30’s)

QUINTET/QUARTET

 Sings portions of ‘The Best Things Happen When We’re Dancing”. Ability to

sing close harmony required

REGENCY ROOM ANNOUNCER (offstage voice)

SHELDRAKE’S SECRETARY (offstage voice)