“Holiday Inn has some recognizable music in it and is just a sweet and happy storyline where everyone is happy in the end,” said Alyssa Sparks, show director. “Sometimes a happy story is what we need to tell!”

Audience members will recognize Irving Berlin’s famous songs “White Christmas,” “Blue Skies,” “Cheek to Cheek,” and even “Heat Wave” in the show.

Sparks leads the production along with the creative team of Dan Cassady as music director and conductor, Shelly Bottorf as rehearsal accompanist, and Emily Eastwood as the show’s choreographer.

According to Sparks, the Comedia board chose “Holiday Inn” as this year’s show because they wanted to bring in something that everyone can enjoy.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
From left, Comedia Musica members Nathan Schelle, Alison Swanson and Jacob Shelton will be featured in Irving Berlin’s “Holiday Inn” Nov. 7-9 at the Historic Phillips Auditorium.

“‘Holiday Inn’ is really a light-hearted show and the entire cast and band are all very talented,” said Sparks. “I’ve heard in the community that people enjoy coming to Comedia’s shows because they put on such an excellent performance for the community. Yet there are some people that still don’t even know that we exist, so each time we try to do a different style of show in hopes that more people will learn about us and continue to come see our performances year after year.”

The talent on stage for “Holiday Inn” includes veteran performers as well as new actors.

“We have amazing talent in the show this year, just as we do every year,” said Sparks. “We have Brittany Thomas-Arthur as Linda, and she just has a very sweet and beautiful voice. We have Nathan Schelle as Ted and a new skill for him this year is tap dancing. Seeing Alison Swanson as Lila has been fun. She is such a sweet and genuine person and to see her playing a part that is maybe a little more materialistic has been interesting. Holli Campbell is the “fix-it man” Louise. Folks would recognize her as Dr. Seuss from last year’s show.”

Sparks said that rounding out Holiday Inn’s lead roles is Jacob Shelton who will play the role of Jim.

“I believe this is his first show with Comedia, and he is doing a fabulous job of leading the cast both on stage and behind the scenes helping with set,” said Sparks.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
AvaMarie Kirby, right, and Brittany Thomas-Arthur are part of the cast for Comedia Musica’s upcoming performance of Irving Berlin’s “Holiday Inn.”

The Comedia Musica Players will present four shows of “Holiday Inn,” including Nov. 7 at 7 p.m., Nov. 8 at 7 p.m., and Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets to “Holiday Inn” are available at Hy-Vee customer service and at the door prior to each performance.

Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn

When:

Nov. 7: 7 p.m. show

Nov. 8: 7 p.m. show

Nov. 9: 2 p.m. matinee, 7 p.m. show

Where:

Historic Phillips Auditorium, 1015 Fifth Ave. N.

Tickets:

$15 for adults, $10 for children/students through college age.

Tickets are available at Hy-Vee customer service or at the door prior to each performance.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for ticket sales.

CAST LIST:

Jim Hardy: Jacob Shelton

Ted Hanover: Nathan Schelle

Linda Mason: Brittany Thomas-Arthur

Lila Dixon: Alison Swanson

Louise: Holli Campbell

Danny: Jordan Martin

Charlie Winslow: AvaMarie Kirby

Nightly Dancers:

Stanley: Parker Gaines

Daphne: Jenna Hendrix

Stella: Esther Laupp

Rose: Abby Adams

Janie: Olivia Ferris

Susie: Mary Jo Laupp

Brenda: Jennifer McAtee

Byron: Zach Dodge

Danny’s Mother: Jody Ekstrom

Announcer: Buzz Powers

Hollywood Production Crew:

Director: Sean O’Connor

First A.D.: Alanna Kirby

Sound Man: Dawn O’Connor

P.A.: Iris McAtee

Chorus:

Matt Caruth, Rachel Castor,

Jody Ekstrom, Alanna Kirby,

Alisha Marsh, Iris McAtee,

Dawn O’Connor, Sean O’Connor,

Briley Singer, AJ Smith