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Special Episode: Clayton, Garvin on the Joy of ‘White Christmas’
00:19:10
On this very special, Christmas Week episode of BroadwayRadio, Matt Tamanini is in conversation with the two stars of the current Paper Mill Playhouse production “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” running now through Sunday, Dec. 29,
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- [00:00]
Matt Tamminini
Foreign hi and welcome to a special interview episode of Broadway Radio. My name is Matt Tamminini. Obviously, we are now into the holiday season and Grace and I are going to be taking a little bit of time off from today on Broadway here in the podcast feed. But that does not mean that we are going to be leaving you completely bereft of episodes to listen to. Well, we will have some days off around Christmas and New Year's Day. We will also have interviews, conversations, predictions, all of the stuff that you are used to hearing here on Broadway Radio. And that kicks off today as I am in conversation with the two stars of Papermill Playhouse's current production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Max Clayton and Casey Garvin. This show is currently running through Sunday, December 29th. So just one week left to see this incredible production. Of course, I'll have information in the show notes on how you can purchase tickets. You can also go to papermill.org to get them yourself. In our conversation, we talk about all things White Christmas and holidays, and perhaps a little bit surprisingly, Robin Herder. Max and Casey tell me all about the extremely non period appropriate Christmas music that they use to get ready for every performance of White Christmas. They share their favorite holiday movies and talk about what an incredible ensemble and co stars they have in the production. All right, without further ado, here is my conversation with Max Clayton and Casey Garvin. So we are talking just a couple hours before you guys have to go on stage. You have to get ready to perform. So I wonder, for this show specifically, what do you have to do to get ready? Do you, like, drink extra shots of hot chocolate? Do you read Twas the Night Before Christmas as like a tongue twister? Like, what do you have to do to get in the proper holiday mindset for White Christmas?
- [02:01]
Max Clayton
Well, we've been listening to holiday music before the show during our warmup in the dressing room, which normally I don't think I would do, but it's actually been really wonderful. And they're playing in the lobby and outside the theater to get everyone in the spirit, but it's actually helped me a lot. I mean, Kelly Clarkson's Christmas albums, they've been just on loop kind of.
- [02:21]
Casey Garvin
I was just about to say Max is a huge Kelly Clarkson fan. So yesterday we had a Secret Santa party and Max's Secret Santa got him one of Kelly Clarkson's Christmas albums. So we signed, which is incredible. So we absolutely jumped around, got our minds and bodies ready thanks to Ms. Kelly Clarkson.
- [02:43]
Matt Tamminini
So other than Kelly, which obviously that's a no brainer. What's the other Christmas music that you've been playing? Or even if you have just been going exclusively Kelly in the dressing room, what are the albums that, like, this is what Christmas music means to me.
- [02:58]
Casey Garvin
I mean, I love Ariana Grande's Christmas music.
- [03:02]
Max Clayton
Okay, so clearly we're into the.
- [03:03]
Casey Garvin
We're into the pop diva.
- [03:04]
Matt Tamminini
Yeah.
- [03:06]
Max Clayton
Honestly, though, if not a specific album, it's just a good old playlist, or a good old station, if you will, the holiday classics.
- [03:15]
Casey Garvin
Yeah. And we need a little bit of high energy before this show because we start the show off with a bang with Happy Holidays, both Max and I. And so, you know, some of the slower, more beautiful, classic Christmas tunes might not be the thing to work. So that's why the pop divas for sure give us the energy we need.
- [03:33]
Matt Tamminini
Makes sense. And you guys are both like legit dancer dancers. Have they incorporated a little bit more choreography in this show that you would normally have? I mean, Casey, your part always has a little bit more dance. But like, Max, it would seem like a waste to not have you doing something a little bit more than. Than Bing Crosby would have done in the past.
- [03:54]
Max Clayton
You know, as far as the original stage production goes that Randy Skinner choreographed, I'm basically doing exactly as it was created in 2005 with Brian, Darcy James. Generally, Phil is the dance more, the dancer dancer, and Bob is kind of the stand and sing guy. But Brian could move, so they did incorporate a little for him, and that's what I'm doing. They didn't add more, you know, stylistically, I'm adding my own stuff, like during Blue Skies. But as far as by the book, it's pretty close.
- [04:23]
Casey Garvin
Yeah.
- [04:23]
Max Clayton
And then Phil is just twirling.
- [04:24]
Casey Garvin
Yeah, I'm twirling around. But I will say, as a. As someone who's. Who's watching Max get to do Blue Skies and the way that we both dance together in the beginning of the show, like, it absolutely just adds that extra level to have someone who is a dancer, who clearly, you know, they're equally talented song and dance men versus more of a dancer, more of a singer. It just adds that extra little something special to the show.
- [04:48]
Max Clayton
It's so fun. I talked about this the other day, but Randy Skinner, who was the original choreographer, he has made some of the greatest production numbers in Broadway history. Like, hands down, and to get to do his choreography. And I only, again, I only do it for like two numbers. It just feels so good. And then you add this cast and you add Casey like, it just. It feels like such joy. It's so smooth, it's happy, it's lifted. It's gorgeous. So I'm so. I feel so lucky.
- [05:19]
Matt Tamminini
Yeah. I. I live in Florida, so I haven't seen your production, but I did see the. I guess it was probably about five years ago, the tour that Randy both directed and choreographed. Yeah. So I. Yeah. So I know how special that is. But speaking about, like, how warm that is, like, this is obviously, I mean, started as a song, then it was a movie, then it's been a stage show that's kind of been running nonstop since it premiered two decades ago. What is it about this specific Christmas story of White Christmas that continues to resonate with audiences across multiple mediums, across multiple decades and generations?
- [05:56]
Max Clayton
I think what's really special about this show is that while it's a holiday specific show based on, like, the music and the time, it's about so much more than that and the holidays. It's the season of giving. Right. And this whole show focuses around a group of people rallied, rallying together, coming together to save something really special to a community. And I mean, what's more Christmassy than that? You know, it's just such a special, heartwarming, beautiful story.
- [06:28]
Casey Garvin
Yeah. And I think for theater fans, this is such a classic show. Like, you. You don't see shows that are kind of structured like this and kind of. You got a lot of in ones where we, you know, the curtain comes in and we're down in the front and we're dancing on the pastoral and. And the set's changing from one big set to another big set, and then it opens up and you're back in the scene. You know, it's got that classic feel, but also is. It moves a little faster than some of the, you know, three hour, you know, old school musicals. And so I also think that's why people who. Who also love musicals will love coming to see it because it's got that old school feel.
- [07:03]
Max Clayton
It's so nostalgic. Yeah, it's so nostalgic. And it's such a. It's such a. Yeah. Such a treat. They just don't make them like this anymore.
- [07:11]
Matt Tamminini
Yeah. Well, and you. The show is nostalgic, but I also imagine that paper mill in Millburn, New Jersey is also probably a pretty cool, picturesque place to be spending the holidays. It's such a gorgeous setting anytime. But there was snow this weekend or something. Like, it seems special, beautiful.
- [07:30]
Casey Garvin
It literally is out of a picture book. It's stunning.
- [07:35]
Matt Tamminini
Well, you Talked a little bit about the cast earlier. Max, this is a great group. You guys are obviously doing quite a bit with Ashley and Keith Keely. Talk about what this ensemble is like, especially because while you guys do run through the end of the month, you guys are playing in and around Christmas, but like, you are with these people quite a bit around the holidays and maybe not able to be with other friends and family that you otherwise would be. In a show that is about not only legit family in some cases, but found family in other cases, I would imagine that there's quite a bit of camaraderie that comes along with doing a show like this during this time of year.
- [08:14]
Max Clayton
Absolutely. And I said this to the cast before we did our final run through in the studio. I just wanted to kind of circle everyone up to let the ensemble specifically know how incredible they are. We've both had the privilege of doing a lot of shows and a lot of times we've been lucky to be in the ensemble. So we know what that takes. This group of people came into the rehearsal room every day. They learned so many massive production numbers, intricate tap numbers, long 8 minute, 10 minute numbers. And by our final day in the rehearsal studio, which was like what, two weeks, they were so clean, precise, detail specific. They were opening night ready. And it was really incredible to watch them. And I can't sing their praises enough.
- [09:03]
Casey Garvin
You know, on one hand, from the talent perspective, like, there's talented people all over the country and all over the world, but you've got these people who are coming into New York to try to be the best of the best. And Paper Mill is so close to New York City. So really the pool here of talent is amazing. But on the other hand, like, we spend so much time together because we're 40 minutes from the city, we take vans from midtown out to Paper Mill. We're spending that extra couple hours with each other, getting to know each other in the vans, getting to goof around in between shows. We're here. You know, people aren't kind of just disappearing after the show to go home because we're in the city, you know, we're here. And so we're spending five days a week, all hours of the day together. And it does, it does create a special bond, especially around Christmas, which is. Has been lovely.
- [09:48]
Matt Tamminini
Casey, I want to talk about the sweatshirt or T shirt that you're wearing right now. I can read it a little bit. Wallace and Davis present White Christmas featuring the Haynes Sisters. Okay, so is this like Paper Mill merch or is that somebody give this for you? Like, where did that come from?
- [10:05]
Casey Garvin
Yeah. No. Annie, who plays Susie? Susie. Susan Waverly. She's so talented. She gifted this to me and also a matching one to Max yesterday, which we had a big kind of Christmas party in between shows or holiday party in between shows yesterday. And she gave the stuff, which was so sweet. And it's comfy, so.
- [10:28]
Max Clayton
Although Paper Mill's merch is great.
- [10:30]
Casey Garvin
Yeah, Paper Mills merch is cute.
- [10:31]
Max Clayton
Paper Mill has really, really cute merch.
- [10:34]
Matt Tamminini
Yeah, they always do. They always have good stuff. I wonder. Like, for me, White Christmas and of course, like A Muppets Christmas Carol are like, my favorite holiday movies. What about you guys? Are you more of the classics like White Christmas or do you like the more modern things like Elf and Love? Actually, although at this point, those aren't necessarily as modern as they were a few years ago. But, like, when you sit down, if you decide to watch a holiday slash Christmas movie, what are your go tos? Die Hard, what do you got?
- [11:05]
Max Clayton
Mine's Home Alone. Oh, that's just. That's my. Like, I don't know why it makes me. Just because it's Christmas time in New York, it makes me feel. I just always picture that to be my go to. And also my family's tradition was this. It was not a talking picture. It's an animation with AllMusic called the Snowman. That is so beautiful. The score is, like, so gorgeous. And that was always in my family's tradition. No one really knows anything about it, though. But you should look it up.
- [11:35]
Matt Tamminini
All right. All right. Casey, what about you?
- [11:37]
Casey Garvin
Yeah, I'm kind of. I guess we'll call them, like, neoclassics at this point, like Elf and the Grinch, you know, like, those are more contemporary, but now they're their modern classics. So.
- [11:48]
Matt Tamminini
Yeah.
- [11:49]
Casey Garvin
And this is. This will be probably, like, a contentious point to debate whether Harry Potter is a Thanksgiving movie or a Christmas movie. I mean, I'm a Harry Potter fan anyway, but there's something about, like, the first one in particular that feels Christmassy to me. Maybe it's because it's on, like, The ABC family 25 days of Christmas. But I had this conversation in my last dressing room at Some Like It Hot where the boys were, like, aggressively divided between whether that's like, no, you watch that on Thanksgiving. That's a Thanksgiving movie or a Halloween movie. Even with, like, Prisoner of Azkaban, I guess. But I would. I would even add that to the list of, like, that's on abc, you know, during Christmas time.
- [12:26]
Matt Tamminini
Yeah. Well, and they're British. They don't celebrate Thanksgiving, so, like, can it really?
- [12:31]
Casey Garvin
Yeah, that's fair.
- [12:34]
Matt Tamminini
Where these things are coming from. But. So you guys have another week left of this run for people in and around New York City and around New Jersey. Obviously, everybody's got plans during this week. It is a busy time for everybody. But if they do decide to come to Paper Mill and check out this production, what are the vibes that they're going to have walking out of that theater?
- [12:56]
Max Clayton
I mean, just joy.
- [12:57]
Casey Garvin
Joy.
- [12:58]
Matt Tamminini
Yeah.
- [12:58]
Casey Garvin
I keep. I. I've used joy to describe the show every time I talk about it. Just because it is. It's like, you know, wrapping yourself in a nice Christmas sweater, you know, or a nice Christmas blanket and sitting. Sitting under the tree.
- [13:08]
Max Clayton
Like, it's what everybody needs right now, especially. And it's such a nice reminder that there's good in the world and that, you know, with community, we all can just be happy and wonderful people.
- [13:25]
Matt Tamminini
Now, Max, I'm going to ask this question because I know Casey is getting ready to do a Broadway show with Robin Herder. You have done two Broadway shows with Robin Herder. Have you given him any advice? And I. Casey, I know you did all the workshop stuff with Smash, but, like, do you have any advice on how to survive backstage with Robin?
- [13:43]
Max Clayton
No. I mean, there's no limit. So whatever you think you should or could or want to do, do it twice as much.
- [13:53]
Casey Garvin
I'm staring, actually, at a lovely picture of Robin and Max.
- [13:57]
Max Clayton
That's at Applebee's.
- [13:58]
Casey Garvin
At Applebee's.
- [13:59]
Matt Tamminini
Oh, very nice. Applebee's. Where all good photography happens. Yes. Correct.
- [14:04]
Max Clayton
It was, like, a professional photographer doing, like, tourist photos in Times Square. And I'm like, yep, I'll be purchasing three. Thank you.
- [14:12]
Casey Garvin
Robin is amazing. She's so. I'm. I'm honored, truly, to get to work with her because she's so unbelievably talented, but also just so much fun and, like, a true leader in the room and also, like, down to clown. And it's amazing. It's amazing. She's an inspiration, I think, to so many. It's freaking awesome.
- [14:31]
Matt Tamminini
Absolutely. Well, again, I know you guys have a performance coming up here, so I won't take too much of your time left. But as we said, there is such an incredible group of people in this cast, so I wonder whether it's something where you're off stage and maybe you're listening or maybe you're off stage, or it's something you're on stage and watching somebody else do. Is there a moment in the show where you're like, wow, that's. That's special. That's. That's magic that I get to watch?
- [14:57]
Max Clayton
Oh, there's a lot of moments like that for me. But I do want to shout out Ashley Blanchett and Kelly Byrne because they're our counterparts. And when we get to do stuff all together, like the first scene we do together after, they just perform Sisters, which I always love watching. It's just one of my favorite scenes to do because we all are just honestly, like, ourselves. Like, I just. I can't explain it, but it's such a fun. For me, it's such a fun moment in the show every night, and I love them both, and they're both so wildly talented.
- [15:28]
Matt Tamminini
So are you saying that, like, you all are very similar to your. Your. Your. Your characters? Is that what you mean?
- [15:35]
Max Clayton
Yes and no. But I don't know. In that moment, when I look around, I'm seeing. I'm seeing my friends, and I'm seeing us just, like, doing this together, having such a fun time in such a.
- [15:45]
Casey Garvin
Natural way, and we all really just connect in that moment. Like, even if I'm saying things I would never say and, you know, being filled, but just the four of us being able to, like, lock in and play, too, like, it's not ever 100% the same every night. It's like we're living in the moment and we're having so much fun together. It's. It is special. And they're such talented performers as well. It's an honor to get to dance with them and. And perform with them.
- [16:10]
Matt Tamminini
Is there a. Is there a moment, a different one for you? Casey, when you look out and see somebody, whether it's the ensemble or Max or anybody else, that's just, like, dang. That's what it's all about.
- [16:21]
Casey Garvin
Yeah. You know, there's a moment again, maybe no spoilers, but there's a moment where.
- [16:26]
Matt Tamminini
For a story that's like 70 years old. Yeah, I know.
- [16:30]
Max Clayton
Everyone should.
- [16:30]
Casey Garvin
You should know what happens. So there's a moment where the general, played by Lance, he's amazing. He gets to step onto the passerelle, which is like a piece of the stage that comes out almost to the front row of the audience. And he kind of says, like, that's kind of the end of the show where he says, you know, thank you so much for doing this for me. This is so special. You've really. You've touched my heart. And it's getting to look out for the first time for me, into the audience and seeing all these people who are so connected still to the end of the show and so happy to be there and smiling and some crying and some laughing. And then we're about to go into the big finale, which is White Christmas, and we're all decked out in the beautiful reds and the snow and all of the. You know, the show comes to its final moments, and that's, like, when we get to connect with the audience and the audience gets to connect with us, and we get to connect with each other on stage is like. And now we've done it. We've done this beautiful show, and we get to unwrap the present now for the audience. So that, to me, is a really beautiful moment every night to get to do.
- [17:31]
Matt Tamminini
Yeah. You mentioned that some people are crying. I cannot hear the old man without crying. Whether it's on stage in the movie, or just hearing the song, it gets me every single time. So I completely understand that. All right, so I will wrap it up. I know you guys have, you know, your days off around Christmas. I think you're off on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Any. Any big plans for those days off, even though you have, like, four days of shows coming back afterwards?
- [17:59]
Casey Garvin
Family.
- [17:59]
Max Clayton
Yeah. Yeah. Which would be lovely. I'm excited. Get to see my nieces and my sister and my. I'm excited.
- [18:07]
Casey Garvin
And same here. I'll be with my family. They're around here, so not too much travel.
- [18:12]
Matt Tamminini
Well, congratulations on everything. Have a wonderful last week. A happy holidays, and I really appreciate you guys taking the time to chat about this, especially since you are already in your dressing room ready to drink that hot cocoa and listen to Ariana Grande and Kelly Clarkson.
- [18:27]
Max Clayton
Actually, Savannah and Annie, who play Susan, are having a hot chocolate bar tonight in their dressing room, and they just invited us. Yep. So I'll be going there.
- [18:37]
Casey Garvin
So.
- [18:37]
Max Clayton
You're not wrong.
- [18:38]
Casey Garvin
You're not wrong. Shots of hot cocoa.
- [18:39]
Max Clayton
Yep.
- [18:40]
Matt Tamminini
Lots of marshmallows, I assume would be good stuff.
- [18:43]
Max Clayton
We'll see what they got. I'll let you know.
- [18:45]
Matt Tamminini
Yeah. Stir it with a candy cane. Yeah. Go, go. Real fancy.
- [18:48]
Casey Garvin
Classic. Classic.
- [18:50]
Matt Tamminini
Well, thank you guys both very much. I appreciate it. Thank you.
- [18:52]
Max Clayton
Of course.
- [18:52]
Casey Garvin
Have a good one. Happy holidays, man.
- [18:54]
Max Clayton
By.