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     This week’s Muny production of Irving Berlin’s “Holiday Inn” is the newest show this season, but its 1940s settings and songs make it seem very old. It’s a compilation of the best parts of the movie, “Holiday Inn,” and highlights from other Berlin musicals, such as “Call Me Madam” and “Miss Liberty.”

Knowing that the stage version of “Holiday Inn” has only been produced once before and that the leading man and lady are real-life newlyweds adds some intrigue for the audience. Colin Donnell, who plays Jim Hardy, demonstrates his vocal abilities when he sings “Blue Skies” and “Easter Parade,” as well as some new songs written for this show. And Patti Murin (Linda Mason) sings her way into Jim’s heart with “Cheek to Cheek” and other new songs. The honeymooning pair has such chemistry that their duet of “White Christmas” seems warm and cozy in July.

The dancers nearly steal the show when they break into a tap dance and jump rope while tapping to “Shaking the Blues Away.” The audience ignited with each dance number and the ensemble deserves the thunderous applause.

“Holiday Inn” is a story of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy meets new girl, boy and girl celebrate a year of holidays, and then they finally marry. The main characters have a show business background in common and they use their musical talents to fuel their romance and pay the mortgage on the farmhouse.

Supporting actors Nancy Opel, Danny Rutigliano, and young Phoenix Lawson add some necessary spunk to this show.

“Holiday Inn” is playing at The Muny through Sunday, July 12.

-Pat Lindsey-

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