Irving Berlin's White Christmas: Holiday Show's Starry Opening Night Video

By Christopher Moore, Broadway Magazine

"Don't tell people I'm here, because I'm Jewish," jokes Joan Rivers with Broadway.tv at the opening night of Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Opening Night is always a special occasion on Broadway, and for this new holiday show, there was an army of Broadway and show business luminaries on hand to share the holiday cheer.

"The show has a great heart and it's been rewarding to see audience just take it in," says director Walter Bobbie. "Yes, I'm nervous," Mr. Bobbie confides, "We always want the press to like it, but the biggest answer is how the audience responds. We've been so warmly received here. I just want to enjoy the holiday season with the show, and all the great New Yorkers who come out to see it."

"It's one of the great classic movies," says Ms. Rivers in a moment of seriousness before quipping, "anyone who may not have seen White Christmas may be Helen Keller."

"Yeah, we need a little Christmas right this very minute," offers Broadway great Christine Ebersole, reflecting on the current state of the world.

"I'm very excited," smiles Blythe Danner, "I'm sure I'll cry a lot, reminiscing of the days of my youth. Of course, It will be wonderful."

"There was nothing but love up there," reflects Jeffry Denman on the opening night performance.

"I felt like we were absolutely just flying high, the whole cast had such energy and such adrenaline," recalls Meredith Patterson of the evening's performance.

"It couldn't have gone better," beams Kerry O'Malley, "It was such a wonderful, warm audience. It was such a great coming together of the Broadway community. We felt so supported and loved, and just so thrilled to bring this lovely story about generous people doing generous things to New York. We're so happy to be here."

Vanessa Williams talks with Broadway.tv about being at the show to support Kerry, who worked with her on Into The Woods. "We're cast-mates seeing a former cast-mate in a new show."

"I can't wait," smiles Tony winner Beth Leavel eagerly, " I just want to disappear into the land of White Christmas."

"I'm so excited, its such a cute movie, and it's so nice it's here now on Broadway," says Joan Rivers, before confessing, "I'm so nervous, because I don't know how it ends." As the new musical's classic title song rings out in the show's finale, we're confident Ms. Rivers was pleased with the ending, as was the entire enthusiastic opening night crowd. Check out the whole red carpet experience in a special www.Broadway.tv video feature. Happy Holiday.