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Holiday InnOpening Date: Oct 6, 2016
Closing Date: Jan 15, 2017 Air date: Jan 14, 2017 Medium: online Where to watch: BroadwayHD |
Stage Production Notes
A new musical inspired by the 1942 movie of the same name, and featuring twenty Irving Berlin songs. The story follows Jim (Bryce Pinkham), a song and dance man who wants to retire from show business and live on a farm in Connecticut. Jilted by his girlfriend Lila (Megan Sikora), who decides to follow dance man Ted (Corbin Bleu) to a new show, Jim tries to make a go of farming on his own. With support from the farmhand Louise (Megan Lawrence) and local school teacher Linda (Lora Lee Gayer), Jim reverses the falling fortunes of the farm by transforming it into a theatre featuring shows for all the major holidays.
Universal Stage Productions, a division of Universal Pictures, invited the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut to devise a stage version of the movie. The new production opened in October 2014. The production received positive reviews, with the critics describing the show as snappy, fun, and delightful entertainment.
The production was transferred to Broadway by the Roundabout Theatre Company, opening on October 6, 2016 after a month of previews.
It seems that what was snappy and fun in Connecticut did not translate to Broadway. The Broadway production received tepid reviews. In her two-star review for The Guardian, Alexis Soloski described the dialogue as “leaden” and claimed that audience members could “check out anytime.” Charles Isherwood, writing for The New York Times called the show “perky but bland” and likened it to a “prematurely hung Christmas stocking smelling faintly of mothballs.”
Despite lamenting the tired nature of the script, the critics gave praise to the high standard of the cast. Particularly noteworthy were Bryce Pinkham’s vocals, Lora Lee Gayer’s delightfulness, and Megan Lawrence’s comedic abilities.
The critics also had universal praise for the up-tempo dance numbers “Shaking the Blues Away,” which featured an impressive tap dance routine with skipping ropes, and “Song of Freedom.”
A new musical inspired by the 1942 movie of the same name, and featuring twenty Irving Berlin songs. The story follows Jim (Bryce Pinkham), a song and dance man who wants to retire from show business and live on a farm in Connecticut. Jilted by his girlfriend Lila (Megan Sikora), who decides to follow dance man Ted (Corbin Bleu) to a new show, Jim tries to make a go of farming on his own. With support from the farmhand Louise (Megan Lawrence) and local school teacher Linda (Lora Lee Gayer), Jim reverses the falling fortunes of the farm by transforming it into a theatre featuring shows for all the major holidays.
Universal Stage Productions, a division of Universal Pictures, invited the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut to devise a stage version of the movie. The new production opened in October 2014. The production received positive reviews, with the critics describing the show as snappy, fun, and delightful entertainment.
The production was transferred to Broadway by the Roundabout Theatre Company, opening on October 6, 2016 after a month of previews.
It seems that what was snappy and fun in Connecticut did not translate to Broadway. The Broadway production received tepid reviews. In her two-star review for The Guardian, Alexis Soloski described the dialogue as “leaden” and claimed that audience members could “check out anytime.” Charles Isherwood, writing for The New York Times called the show “perky but bland” and likened it to a “prematurely hung Christmas stocking smelling faintly of mothballs.”
Despite lamenting the tired nature of the script, the critics gave praise to the high standard of the cast. Particularly noteworthy were Bryce Pinkham’s vocals, Lora Lee Gayer’s delightfulness, and Megan Lawrence’s comedic abilities.
The critics also had universal praise for the up-tempo dance numbers “Shaking the Blues Away,” which featured an impressive tap dance routine with skipping ropes, and “Song of Freedom.”
Filmed Live Production Notes
Following on from the successful screening of She Loves Me, it was announced in December 2016 that Holiday Inn would be the second Roundabout Theatre musical to be livestreamed on BroadwayHD. BroadwayHD subscribers were able to access the livestream online, via iPhone and iPad apps, Apple TV, and Roku.
According to Forbes, BroadwayHD provided the financing, and paid Roundabout a licensing fee, for the livestream.
On January 14, 2017, the production was filmed with 14 high-definition cameras. While the show went smoothly, the livestream was beset with technical issues. Due to persistent lags and freezes, many subscribers were not able to watch the livestream. BroadwayHD attempted to remedy the problem by making the livestream available on Facebook Live. Angry subscribers demanded refunds, claiming the same problems had occurred with She Loves Me.
Following on from the successful screening of She Loves Me, it was announced in December 2016 that Holiday Inn would be the second Roundabout Theatre musical to be livestreamed on BroadwayHD. BroadwayHD subscribers were able to access the livestream online, via iPhone and iPad apps, Apple TV, and Roku.
According to Forbes, BroadwayHD provided the financing, and paid Roundabout a licensing fee, for the livestream.
On January 14, 2017, the production was filmed with 14 high-definition cameras. While the show went smoothly, the livestream was beset with technical issues. Due to persistent lags and freezes, many subscribers were not able to watch the livestream. BroadwayHD attempted to remedy the problem by making the livestream available on Facebook Live. Angry subscribers demanded refunds, claiming the same problems had occurred with She Loves Me.
Despite the issues, the livestream was incredibly popular and trended briefly on Twitter.
The livestream was made available to BroadwayHD subscribers for 10 days after the initial airing.
Holiday Inn was also available to view in select cinemas around the United States on November 16, 2017.
In response to the COVID-19 shutdown, in May 2020 Roundabout partnered with Concord Theatrical, Playbill, and BroadwayHD presented a free viewing party of Holiday Inn to benefit The Actor's Fund. The stream was made available for free worldwide for 48 hours from 8pm ET on May 30, 2020.
Holiday Inn is currently available to stream on BroadwayHD.
The livestream was made available to BroadwayHD subscribers for 10 days after the initial airing.
Holiday Inn was also available to view in select cinemas around the United States on November 16, 2017.
In response to the COVID-19 shutdown, in May 2020 Roundabout partnered with Concord Theatrical, Playbill, and BroadwayHD presented a free viewing party of Holiday Inn to benefit The Actor's Fund. The stream was made available for free worldwide for 48 hours from 8pm ET on May 30, 2020.
Holiday Inn is currently available to stream on BroadwayHD.
Hear behind-the-scenes stories with associate choreographer Barry Busby on episode 10 of the Filmed Live Musicals podcast. Available on all podcast apps.
Holiday Inn Production Credits
Theatre: Studio 54
Producer: Roundabout Theatre Company, Universal Production Company, Sydney Beers
Music and Lyrics: Irving Berlin
Co-Book: Gordon Greenberg, Chad Hodge
Director: Gordon Greenberg
Musical Director: Andy Einhorn
Orchestrations: Larry Blank
Vocal and Dance Arrangements: Sam Davis, Bruce Pomahac
Choreography: Denis Jones
Scenic Design: Anna Louizos
Costume Design: Alejo Vietti
Lighting Design: Jeff Croiter
Sound Design: Keith Caggiano
Hair and Wig Design: Charles G. Lapointe
Make-Up Design: Joe Dulude II
Stage Manager: Pat Sosnow
Cast: Bryce Pinkham (Jim), Corbin Bleu (Ted), Lora Lee Gayer (Linda), Megan Lawrence (Louise), Danny Rutigliano (Danny), Megan Sikora (Lila Dixon), Morgan Gao (Charlie Winslow), Ensemble: Darien Crago, Shina Ann Morris, Catherine Ricafort, Amanda Rose, Jonalyn Saxer, Samantha Sturm, Amy Van Norstrand, Paige Williams, Malik Akil, Will Burston, Matt Meigs, Drew Redington, Travis Ward-Osborne, Victor Wisehart, Kevin Worley, Borris York, Swings: Barry Busby, Caley Crawford, Jenifer Foote, Parker Slaybaugh,
Theatre: Studio 54
Producer: Roundabout Theatre Company, Universal Production Company, Sydney Beers
Music and Lyrics: Irving Berlin
Co-Book: Gordon Greenberg, Chad Hodge
Director: Gordon Greenberg
Musical Director: Andy Einhorn
Orchestrations: Larry Blank
Vocal and Dance Arrangements: Sam Davis, Bruce Pomahac
Choreography: Denis Jones
Scenic Design: Anna Louizos
Costume Design: Alejo Vietti
Lighting Design: Jeff Croiter
Sound Design: Keith Caggiano
Hair and Wig Design: Charles G. Lapointe
Make-Up Design: Joe Dulude II
Stage Manager: Pat Sosnow
Cast: Bryce Pinkham (Jim), Corbin Bleu (Ted), Lora Lee Gayer (Linda), Megan Lawrence (Louise), Danny Rutigliano (Danny), Megan Sikora (Lila Dixon), Morgan Gao (Charlie Winslow), Ensemble: Darien Crago, Shina Ann Morris, Catherine Ricafort, Amanda Rose, Jonalyn Saxer, Samantha Sturm, Amy Van Norstrand, Paige Williams, Malik Akil, Will Burston, Matt Meigs, Drew Redington, Travis Ward-Osborne, Victor Wisehart, Kevin Worley, Borris York, Swings: Barry Busby, Caley Crawford, Jenifer Foote, Parker Slaybaugh,
Sources
Articles
Publications
Websites
- Olivia Clement, “Holiday Inn Will Stream Live on BroadwayHD,” Playbill (Dec 20, 2016)
- Jeremy Gerard, “Broadway Will Revisit ‘Miss Saigon’ & Irving Berlin As Off Broadway Juices Upcoming Slates Too,” Deadline (Nov 19, 2015)
- Sylviane Gold, “Deft Footwork Updates a Classic,” The New York Times (Nov 8, 2014)
- Marc Hershberg, “Roundabout's 'Holiday Inn' Gets a Late Christmas Gift,” Forbes (Jan 13, 2017)
- Karen Isaacs, "Magical Woods, Broadway 2-for-1, Budget Cuts, and More," Zip06 (Sept 7, 2017)
- Charles Isherwood, “Review: ‘Holiday Inn’: It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like a Recycled Movie,” The New York Times (Oct 6, 2016)
- Sangrit Malay, “Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical” Begins Previews,” New York Show Tickets (Sept 2, 2016)
- Frank Rizzo, “Connecticut Theater Review: Movie Musical ‘Holiday Inn,’” Variety (Oct 17, 2014).
- Frank Rizzo, “Broadway Review: ‘Holiday Inn,’” Variety (Oct 6, 2016)
- Roundabout Theatre Company, "HOLIDAY INN: LIVE VIEWING PARTY," Roundabout Blog (May 21, 2020)
- Alexis Soloski, “Holiday Inn review – Irving Berlin musical full of suite nothings,” The Guardian (Oct 7, 2016)
Publications
- Playbill, “Holiday Inn,” Available at Playbill
Websites
- Broadway.com, “Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical,” Accessed via: http://www.broadway.com/shows/holiday-inn-new-irving-berlin-musical/
Written by Luisa Lyons (January, 2017. Updated September 2017; May 2020)