Drury Lane, Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, a story based on the beloved Bing Crosby/Fred Astaire film, is about an entertaining song-and-dance trio of Jim Hardy, Ted Hanover, and Lila Dixon. They perform at a club in New York City; however, Jim decides to ask Lila to marry him and wants them to retire and move to a farm in Connecticut. On the other hand, Lila still wants to be in show business and decided to go on a six-week tour with Ted, then be with Jim afterward, which never happens. 

With the help of a talented schoolteacher Linda, whose Mason family farm Jim purchased that recently foreclosed, and former house repair person Louise, they came up with a plan to save the farm by opening it up as an Inn performing shows celebrating all holidays. 

This 1942 film production turned into a musical that opened on Broadway in 2016. Featuring great hits like Blue Skies, It’s A Lovely Day Today, Easter Parade, Cheek to Cheek, and Steppin’ Out with My Baby. And one of our favorites, White Christmas (famously known in the 1954 movie “White Christmas,” featuring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye). Holiday Inn is a love gone wrong story where admiration and dreams battle against true love. It’s a family treat and a fabulous evening of fun.    

Adrian Aguilar, who had retired from performing, played the role of Jim Hardy, a singer/dancer that wanted to leave show business and have a normal life. However, Aguilar, who has been away for nearly four years, hasn’t lost a touch. His chemistry on stage was spot on, and you could see that spark of excitement in his eye. Welcome back, Mr. Aguilar. Drew Humphrey (Ted Hanover), who is making his Drury Lane Theatre debut, is perfect as the lady’s man to Jim’s, the “Be Careful,” It’s My Heart devotion. One of Chicago’s own, Darilyn Burtley (Lila Dixon), grew up singing in a gospel girl group alongside her sisters, is a natural as Lila Dixon, who’s reluctant to give up performing and inspired to be a Hollywood star. 

It was delightful to see Erica Stephan(Linda Mason) back on the Drury Lane stage. From her performance as Belle and The Beauty and The Beast, Stephan is an accomplished actor who brings elegance and grace and a little comedy as Linda. Although not having a significant role in this play, Honey West’s performance needs to be recognized. West, who was recently at Porchlight Theater, Gypsy, was a joy as Dannai Reed.  

Top recognition goes to Danielle Davis as Louise. Davis is an actor that Broadway needs to discover. We have seen her in numerous plays, and she is multitalented, and her energy on stage is electrifying. Davis is so funny and intoxicating as Louise that you could see others on stage gravitating to her warmth and genuine love. We can’t wait to see what’s next for this talented actor, and the audience that night loved her performance! Another show-stopper was the adorable Nicole Scimeca as Charlie. Her performance is a reminiscence of great child superstar actors like Natalie Wood, Margaret O’Brien, or even Eva Lee Kuney, who played in the original movie, Holiday Inn. Scimeca is a star in the making. Finally, kudos to Drury Lane’s commitment to having a diverse group of performers.  

The singing was a little off-pitch at times, but that doesn’t affect the overall performance of this play. Instead, the original songs and dancing in this classic musical will have you tapping and dancing in your seats. As a result, audiences will enjoy Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn. 

Fun Fact. This fictional farm converted to an Inn used in the film Holiday Inn was constructed into a hotel named Riverview Inn and was later named to match the original name.  

Let’s Play Recommends Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn. 

Drury Lane Theatre

Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn

Based on the film from Universal Pictures

Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin

Book by Gorgon Greenberg and Chad Hodge

Directed and Choreographed by Matt Crowle

November 19 – January 9, 2022