(Above: Left to right, Eric Blanchard, Cyra Conforth, Lynnea Barry, and Ward Fairbairn have lead roles in The Shedd’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas)

By Randi Bjornstad

The classic film version of White Christmas dates to 1954 and starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. They play singer-dancer types — the men are former soldiers and the women are sisters — who meet after World War II and eventually hatch a plan to put on a show to try to save a failing Vermont inn owned by the guys’ former Army commanding officer.

The story line might have been a little predictable, but the music — being Irving Berlin — obviously was not, especially with the inclusion of the beloved (I’m Dreaming of a) White Christmas, which had won an Oscar for best original song the previous year after it had its debut in another movie, Holiday Inn, where it also was sung by Crosby.

A lot of the other songs that also have stood the test of time are not specifically Christmas-oriented, though — among them Blue Skies, Count Your Blessings, How Deep Is the Ocean, and I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm — and in truth the story line could be recast to accommodate any other holiday, or none at all.

The musical version that is onstage at The Shedd Institute for the Arts had its premiere in 2000 at the St. Louis Municipal Opera Theater, from which it spread to San Francisco, a variety of other regional theaters throughout the U.S. and Canada and eventually all through the United Kingdom, as well as to Broadway for a limited run before starting the regional tour circuit again.

This version keeps the Berlin standards, with an adaptation of the original screenplay by David Ives and Paul Blake.

In The Shedd’s production, Ward Fairbairn, Eric Blanchard, Lynnea Barry and Cyra Conforth take the roles of the young performers, with Matthew Leach playing the general/inn owner. Other feature performers are Rebekah Hope, Johanna Gilbert, Cloud Pemble, Conner Crisswell, Clarae Smith, Sophia James, and Mackenzie NesSmith.

The ensemble includes Caitlin Christopher, Tessa Douangaphalvong, Eric Elligot, Sheldon Hall, Abigail Howell, Adam Kelly, Ashley Mason, Mackenzie NesSmith, Miriam Shugar, Jared Sheffield, and Madeleine Sisson.

Ron Daum directs, with Robert Ashens as music director and conductor and Caitlin Christopher as choreographer. Costume design is by Jaimie Parker, with scenic design and painting by Connie Huston. Kristin Combs is production and stage manager, assisted by Greg Hopper-Moore, with Tabetha Crosely as properties manager and Emily Kidder as conductor’s assistant. Jim Ralph is executive producer.

Members of the live orchestra are Emily Weinkauf Kidder, Daniel Cathey II, Jesse Cloninger, Bob Ragan, Matthew Taylor, Devin Wright, Dave Bender, John Davison, Cody Simmons, Glen Bonney, Glenn Griffith, Chris Mudd, Nathan Waddell, and Sean Wagoner.

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

When: Evenings at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7, 14, 15; matinees at 3 p.m. on Dec. 2, 8, and 16

Where: Jaqua Concert Hall, The Shedd Institute for the Arts, 868 High St., Eugene

Tickets: $28 to $38 (discounts for students and groups), available at the box office, 541-434-7000, or online at theshedd.org

Pre-evening (6 p.m.) and post-matinee meals: $22.75 for adults and $17.75 for children 9 years and younger; by reservation only at 541-434-7000

Featured actors in The Shedd’s production of “White Christmas include Lynnea Barry, Ward Fairbairn, Eric Blanchard, and Cyra Conforth