Arlington singer-dancer comes home for ‘Christmas’

Sarah Fagan used to watch musicals at Bass Hall.

But now, she is watched in musicals at Bass Hall.

“I grew up singing and dancing in Arlington. And I have great memories of seeing touring musicals, and events like the Texas Ballet Theater doing ‘The Nutcracker’ at Bass Hall,” says Martin High School grad Fagan. “So it is always a dream come true to come back and perform in that beautiful theater, and have my family come to see me in the shows as well.”

The 27-year-old singer-dancer is a member of the ensemble in the national touring production of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” the old-fashioned holiday favorite that opened a six-day, eight-performance run at Bass Hall on Tuesday (the show will also play at the Music Hall at Fair Park Dec. 5-10).

And despite her youth, Fagan feels very comfortable in this musical set in the post-World War II era.

“I really love this era and these classic, golden age musicals. I feel at home in them. I grew up watching movies with those Hollywood stars [of the past] who made dancing look effortless. I love the elegance of it. So putting on the costumes for this show takes me to that time period. And that really informs your movement,” says Fagan, who also toured in a production of the venerable song-and-dance classic “42nd Street.” This is her second time out with “White Christmas.”

This musical (and its title song) have a long history. Its defining Christmas carol, which is often cited as the best-selling recording in history, first appeared in the 1942 film “Holiday Inn.” Bing Crosby’s crooning rendition of the number became so legendary that it spawned its own film, “White Christmas,” in 1954, with Crosby and Danny Kaye in the lead roles, and “Casablanca” director Michael Curtiz behind the camera.

This musical, which adds the composer’s name to the title to distinguish it from the film, debuted in 2000, and made it to Broadway (briefly) in 2008. It tells the tuneful story of a couple of Army buddies who launch a campaign to save the struggling Vermont inn owned by one of their former generals. And it is a show that wears its retro corniness proudly. Since 2012, it has toured nationally during the Christmas season.

“Because the show has been running so long, it is a well-oiled machine,” says Fagan, who made her Bass Hall debut in “42nd Street” last year. “But I think people keep coming back because it has become a tradition. It is nostalgic, but it is also fresh and exciting.”

That description also applies to Fagan’s return to this show, which has her working a different area of the stage than last year’s version.

“It is fun to come back and get a different view of the production,” says Fagan, who is now based in New York. “Just being in a different spot, and having a different perspective, really changes the experience of doing the show.”

And Fagan is doing her best to absorb everything around her.

“It is a thrill to be working with such talented Broadway performers and watching what they have to bring to audiences that would not normally be able to travel to New York. . . . So to be able to bring this high-quality show to the whole country is really exciting,” says Fagan, who studied musical theater at Oklahoma City University.

In fact, Fagan even likes the weather the show brings to some parts of the country.

“I’m glad we are touring the Southern states this year. I think audiences will really love the snow onstage. It makes you feel like you are in a snow globe.”

Fagan is also making the most of the grind that doing touring shows can be.

“It is tough being away from friends and family. But we are really lucky to experience travel like this. So I try to experience what the local area has to offer. Like yesterday, some of the cast members and I went on a hike,” says Fagan, referring to enjoying the scenic beauty of the Fayetteville, Ark., area, where the tour opened recently.

But Fagan will not be far from family and friends when she plays Bass Hall. And you would think that her first stop upon coming home would be her favorite barbecue or Tex-Mex restaurant. But, while she is looking forward to returning to Texas cuisine, she has her sights set a bit higher.

“I’m excited about coming back and taking the young kids who are touring with us to the [Fort Worth] Museum of Science and History. I have such fond memories of going there. So we are planning a cast museum day,” she says.

This story was originally published November 15, 2017 at 11:03 AM with the headline "Arlington singer-dancer comes home for ‘Christmas’."