Get 'carried away' during holiday show 'White Christmas' at the OAC on Dec. 21

Posted: Dec. 19, 2012

Oconomowoc Area School District - Transport yourself back in time to 1954, when Irving Berlin's movie "White Christmas" first opened in theaters, by joining the community for a big screen viewing of the holiday classic at the Oconomowoc Arts Center.

The Oconomowoc High School Drama Mamas and Papas will show the movie at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, to benefit the OHS Theater Department Scholarship Program.

This iconic holiday film stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney in a story about two World War II U.S. Army buddies who set out to become a song-and-dance act. They meet up with a sister act and together try to save a Vermont Inn owner by the men's former commander.

The story begins on a Christmas Eve in 1944 in Europe.

 Bring your family and friends and share in the holiday movie magic of White Christmas. The suggested donation for admission is $5 per person, or $20 per family at the door.

"Drama Mama and Papas is a parent booster group that really does everything for me in terms of ensuring that the kids involved in our theater department are well cared for," explained theater director and OHS teacher Tom Klubertanz.

"The parents involved in the group prepare meals for our cast and crew during Tech Week, they work the concession booth during shows, they help organize the programs for our productions, which were recently called by one of the Tommy judges attending (the recent production of) 'Oklahoma!' 'The finest programs from a high school theater program in the state,' they assist us in finding props and set items, and they fundraise in order to offer summer scholarship opportunities to all of our kids," he said.

Last year alone the organization gave out more than $3,000 in scholarship funds to 17 students in the theater department, Klubertanz said.

"Those kids attended summer acting camps, private vocal lessons, and First Stage Milwaukee just to name a few. Without the assistance of this group there is absolutely no way we would be as successful as we are today," he added.

 Klubertanz said the idea to screen the holiday favorite came up at a recent board meeting "as another fantastic way to get folks into our beautiful facility."

"In Cedarburg, a local movie theater, The Rivoli, shows Christmas movies during the month of December, and they are always a huge hit with families. We thought why not do something similar here in Oconomowoc?" the teacher said.

"This is such a tight-knit community with loads of fun activities in the summer months, but we lack a lot of communitywide Christmas traditions that families can partake in," he added.

The event is sponsored by Drama Mamas & Papas, Ewald Auto Group, Dorn Chiropractic and Oconomowoc Realty.

"We thought this would fill a real void, and we hope everyone comes out to watch the movie. There will be snacks, a huge screen, and of course Bing Crosby; what more could you want? We hope to continue this in the future, and have it become a real tradition in Oconomowoc," Klubertanz said.

Movie night

What: Oconomowoc High School Drama Mamas and Papas will show "White Christmas" to benefit the OHS Theater Department Scholarship Program

When: 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21

Where: Oconomowoc Arts Center, 641 E. Forest St.

Cost: Suggested donation for admission is $5 per person, or $20 per family at the door