This past weekend, from Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, through Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, the Bel Air Drama Company kicked off the holiday season and its 28th year of excellence, with Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. This musical is based off the Paramount Pictures Film written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank, first appearing on screen on Oct. 14, 1954.

The story of White Christmas takes place after World War II, and song and dance duo Bob Wallace (Hector Belarmino) and Phil Davis (Jack McAllister) work their way up to become top Broadway producers. Bob agrees to take in a nightclub act by the Haynes sisters, Betty (Natalie Nixson) and Judy (Kiley Ernest), because he believes it is a favor for their brother who served in the war with them. Phil always aims to set Bob up with a girl, usually one in the show, but when he notices that Bob is captivated by Betty he arranges to accompany them to their show at a small Vermont Inn. They soon discover that the owner of the inn is their old commanding officer, Major General Henry Waverley (Christian D’Achille) who has invested all his life savings and pension into the inn. Although General Waverley’s inn is his pride and joy, it is on the verge of bankruptcy due to there being no snowfall. They come up with a plan to help the general out, but a misunderstanding of the plan leads to tension between Bob and Betty, leaving it to Phil and Judy to try and get them back together.

Eli Courtney, a senior at Bel Air who plays Ezekiel Foster in the show, shares with satisfaction, “The turnout was amazing with almost 3000 students, alumni, staff, and Bel Air residents coming out to see the performance. All the dedication and time spent into this show was evident and I’m so proud of the company for our hard work.”

The fluidity of the choreography was phenomenal thanks to the dance captains; Natalie Nixson (Betty Haynes), Hariana Sethi (Martha Watson), Hannah Barsam (Rita) and Veronica Burbelo (Rhoda). The musical numbers such as “Blue Skies”, Phil and Judy’s “I love a Piano”, and the classic “White Christmas”, were absolutely jaw dropping performances. Overall the Bel Air Drama Company and directors Mr. Chuck Bowden and Mr. Benjamin Smith deserve endless rounds of applause. Hopeful for the years to come of spectacular performing arts.