Arts, Dining & Entertainment

‘Holiday Inn’ ushers in holiday season

Saturday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m.—LUDLOW—FOLA’s November event is the recent Broadway adaptation of the 1942 film, “Holiday Inn.” The musical production will be screened on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Heald Auditorium of the Ludlow Town hall.

The Bing Crosby Fred Astaire movie is a favorite Christmas movie, even though this holiday-season film was made in 1942. The film is now dated with its black and white wartime feel, but that 1940s elegance is part of the charm. This Broadway production updates the music and the dances of the 1940s for a contemporary audience, while still delivering old-fashioned, good time entertainment.

The production features a libretto by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge, with music by Irving Berlin. The Broadway production opened In 2016. It is directed by Gordon Greenberg and features Bryce Pinkham, Corbin Bleu, Megan Sikora, Lee Wilkof, Morgan Gao, Lora Lee Gayer, and Megan Lawrence.

Jim [played by Bryce Pinkham] settles down in Connecticut after leaving the bustle and bright lights of show business. He meets Linda [played by Lora Lee Gayer], a local schoolteacher, who brings back a bit of the show business sparkle to his life. The two of them turn a farmhouse into a fabulous inn where they celebrate each holiday with spirited performances. When Ted [played by Corbin Bleu] tries to lure Linda away to Hollywood, things get interesting.

The musical features several songs about holidays, including an Independence Day “Song of Freedom” which critic Elyse Sommer described as a “showstopper.” Of course, there are two renditions of the ever popular “White Christmas.”

A quick bit of trivia. The original 1942 film provided the inspiration for the name of the Holiday Inn chain of motels and hotels, which first opened in August of 1952, some 10 years after the film was produced.

“Holiday Inn” will be shown on the big screen in the Heald auditorium located on the second floor of the Ludlow Town Hall . The screening will run approximately two hours.

Admission is free to all. Donations always are welcome and help us to provide quality offerings for the enjoyment of Ludlow-area folks.

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