Do the “best things happen while you’re dancing,” or just at the Waterville Opera House?
The Waterville Opera House’s 2025 theatrical season will draw to a close not with a fizzle, but with a bang, as their presentation of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas enjoys the longest ever run of a community theatre production in WOH’s history.
The Opera House, part of Waterville Creates, is celebrating its 123rd year in 2025 with record attendance to over 100 performances of theatre, live music, comedy, and variety. In response to steadily increasing demand from audiences, WOH is staging nine performances of White Christmas across three weekends, November 14–30.
The stage musical is based on the beloved 1954 Paramount Pictures film starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen. The story follows two World War II veterans, Bob and Phil, who launch a successful song and dance act after the war. With romance in mind, they join two singing sisters, Betty and Judy, en route to their Christmas performance at a failing Vermont lodge. By coincidence, the lodge just so happens to be run by Bob and Phil’s old commanding officer. Soon, the four performers hatch a plan to give the former army general an unforgettable Christmas gift.
“I have always loved the story of White Christmas and being able to see it come together with this cast and team has been magical,” said Christopher Dostie, who plays Bob. “There are these moments where the dancing, the music, and the story all click and you can feel that energy on the stage.”
Waterville Creates has another active holiday season coming up, with performances of The Nutcracker, Christmas with the Celts, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra at the Opera House, holiday movies upcoming at the Maine Film Center, the opening of Made: Maine Makers Market (formerly the Holiday Bazaar) at Ticonic Gallery, and the eighth annual Joy to the Ville free community celebration. For all that’s going on in December, the cast of White Christmas agrees that there’s no better way to kick off the festive season.
“This is my absolute favorite Christmas show. I watched it as a child growing up and I always wanted to be in this show,” said Jessica Haviland, who plays Betty. “Somehow here we are all these years later and I’m finally being able to do something I’ve always dreamed about doing.”
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas opens Friday, November 14, at 7:30pm. Evening performances follow November 15, 21, 28, and 29, with 2pm matinées on November 16, 22, 23, and 30. The Waterville Opera House is proud to offer an ASL interpreted performance on Sunday, November 16, at 2pm.
Tickets are available but selling fast. Go to watervillecreates.org/operahouse, call 207.873.7000, or visit the Ed Harris Box Office in the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, 93 Main Street, Waterville, to make reservations.
This production is sponsored by Marie Cormier, Allen Insurance, Back Office Solutions, Opa, Maine Savings Federal Credit Union, and the Lockwood Hotel.
Written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank. Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. Book by David Ives, and Paul Blake. Original stage production directed by Walter Robbie. Orchestrations by Larry Blank. Vocal and dance arrangements by Bruce Pomahac. Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
The 2026 theatrical season will kick off January 30 with The Nerd. A cast has just been confirmed and rehearsals are ready to commence for this uproarious two-act comedy. Learn more about what next year has in store at watervillecreates.org/operahouse/woh-2026-season.