'White Christmas' Show Features Fairfield County Residents

The songs and story of Irving Berlin’s classic, “White Christmas,” will come alive at a dinner-theater presentation to benefit The Center for Women and Families. 

The event takes place Dec. 21 and 22 at Vazzano’s Four Seasons, 377 Kenyon St., Stratford.

The show is being produced by The Park City Players under the directions of Nancy Lessard of Shelton, and Scott Sisbarro. 

Lessard said the music comes from "White Christmas," but the players "have transformed the general in the movie into the show’s narrator."

The cast is composed of area local talent, many of them musical theater majors at colleges throughout the United States.

“It is an absolutely magical story,” Lessard says. “It is the story of friendship and of loyalty. There are so many great messages in the story, showing what is truly important in life. If exudes the message of Christmas. And if this year is a success, we would like to make this an annual event.”

“We are thankful to Nancy Lessard and Scott Sisbarro, and the wonderful cast they have put together for this event,” says Debra Greenwood, CEO and President of The Center. “They all embody the true spirit of the holiday season. It is people like them that help us in our mission, to turn victims of domestic and sexual violence into survivors. Without supporters, our mission would fail.”

Bill D’Andrea is the show’s musical director. Lead cast members include: Tyler Angotto of Fairfield, a junior at Wagner College;  Steve Autore of Fairfield, a junior at Elon University; Rachel Barlaam of Fairfield, a senior at the University of Maryland; Emily Lessard of Shelton, a senior at Elon University;  Jennifer Nivison of Monroe, a student at Jockey Hollow Middle School; and Peter Pulaski, Sr., the Yale Golf Pro; and Sabrina Toole of Westport, a senior, at St. Joseph High School.

The ensemble includes Noreen Butala of Monroe, a sophomore at St Joseph High School; Evan Byron ofTrumbull, a chemistry teacher at Norwalk High School; Alec Ciambriello of Shelton, a freshman at Manhattanville College; Sarah Guiaquinto of Trumbull, a student at Madison Middle School; Stacey Hazen of Greenwich, a student at Greenwich High School; Ali Julian or Stratford,  a graduate student at Southern University; Marissa Lindquist of Monroe, a senior at Southern University; Nicolette Massaro of Monroe, a freshman at Endicott College; Olivia Massaro of Monroe, a freshman at Masuk High School; Marcelle Morrisey of Trumbull, a sophomore at Southern University; and Carson Stewart of Darien, a sophomore at Darien High School.

Saturday, Dec. 21, doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner includes roast pork and chicken, potatoes, green beans, salad and dessert. Sunday, Dec. 22, doors open at noon. Dinner includes pasta, bracciole, sausage and meatballs, salad and dessert. All tickets cost $50 each and include dinner, the show, tax and gratuities. Beverages are extra. For more information or to buy tickets, contact Pam Dougherty at 203-334-6154, x35 orpdougherty@cwfefc.org. 

All proceeds benefit The Center for Women and Families.