Take an unforgettable holiday classic, add a touch of romantic comedy, infuse a high kicking dance phenomenon and blend in a fanciful family tale, and you’ve pretty much got the 2005-2006 season at The Wang Center for the Performing Arts.

The lineup is set to include a stage version of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” a revival of “The Boyfriend,” the return of “Riverdance” and the new family classic, “Doctor Doolittle.”

As well, the Wang is initiating a new club as the best way to get advance seating for all its shows -- The Wang Center Club.

Having taken the Radio City Rockettes to heart last December, Boston audiences will get a whole new way to usher in the holiday season when the beloved holiday chestnut “White Christmas” comes to the Wang in a new stage version that’s played to enthusiastic response in other cities.

Playing November 25 - December 31, this new show is directed by Walter Bobbie ("Chicago"), choreographed by Randy Skinner ("42nd Street"), with a book by David Ives ("Wonderful Town") and Paul Burke. As it’s based on the 1954 film of the same name, music is by Irving Berlin -- but the stage version features a lot more of Berlin's music than the film did.

“White Christmas” tells the backstage story of two World War II showbiz G.I.s (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye in the original film) who team up for an act, hook up with a sister act and ultimately put on a Christmas show in a magical Vermont inn which just happens to be owned by their former Army General. The production premiered in 2004 to sold out houses in San Francisco with one reviewer commenting that the show's production numbers rival those of "42nd Street." Co-produced by the Wang Center and The Ordway Center in Minneapolis, “White Christmas” will play alternate years at The Wang and The Ordway (leaving room for the return of the Rockettes).

The international dance sensation “Riverdance” returns to Boston September 16 - 25, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.

From October 11 - 23, The Shubert Theatre will host the new Goodspeed Opera House production of “The Boyfriend,” directed by stage and screen legend Julie Andrews, the show's original star. ("The Boyfriend" marked Ms. Andrews' Broadway debut.)

The breezy Sandy Wilson musical comedy finds happy flappers and perfect young ladies on the sunny French Riviera as an English heiress suddenly falls for a delivery boy and professes her love. The jazzy, romantic spoof includes such musical numbers as “Won’t You Charleston With Me” and “It’s Never Too Late To Fall In Love.”

February 15 - 26 will find “Doctor Doolittle” hosting his amazing animals friends at The Wang. The family musical tells the tale of a world-renowned veterinarian who has the ability to “talk to the animals.” Based on Leslie Bricusse’s Academy Award winning film of the same name, the show is produced by the Independent Presenters Network, which produced the new Broadway hit “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” “Big River,” “The King & I” and will produce “The Color Purple” next year.

Through a tax deductible $25 membership fee, members of The Wang Center Club will receive a host of benefits including priority seating, savings on tickets, advance notice of new shows, opportunities to purchase tickets before the general public and discounts to area restaurants.

Wang Center CEO Josiah A. Spaulding Jr. commented, “Members of The Wang Center Club get the best . . . the best seats, the best discounts and the best shows.” He added, “The Wang Center Club will offer top quality seating for a broader range of programming than anywhere else and is the only club whose membership fee is tax deductible. Not only will members enjoy these exclusive privileges, but they will also help to support the programs of The Wang Center for the Performing Arts, a nonprofit organization.”

The Wang Center continues to provide a home and support for area performing arts companies including The Boston Ballet, Boston Lyric Opera and Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. It also supports student and teacher workshops and training programs, as well as offering lifetime learning workshops for families, young people and adults.

As stated above, tickets for “White Christmas,” “Riverdance,” “The Boy Friend” and “Doctor Doolittle” will be available to Wang Center Club members before they go on sale to the general public.

For information, call 877-232-8898, visit the box office at The Wang or check out www.wangcenter.org/club.

-- OnStage Boston

05/08/05