Branching out to another venue while maintaining their usual high production standards, the folks from the Ogunquit Playhouse have opened a festive “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical” at the Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The story and most of the music comes from the classic 1954 movie starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as two former army buddies who have achieved success as a song and dance team. The duo teams up with a pair of singing sisters and end up helping their former army general, now a Vermont innkeeper, avoid financial ruin by putting on a show in his spacious barn. Along the way, of course, romances heat up between the headliners while familiar showbiz types rehearse and perform.

The show is definitely retro to the immediate post-WWII era, with many period names dropped and a lot of action set on trains, early TV studios or in nightclubs. And it unashamedly includes some rather cornball characterizations that rely on the audience’s willingness to jump on board for a ride in a theatrical time machine. A large onstage ensemble backs Berlin’s great music along with the comedy and dance performed by seasoned soloists. With the support of a lively octet in the orchestra pit, colorful costuming, detailed sets and surprise special effects, it all leads to a fun couple of hours at the theater.

Joey Sorge and Jeffry Denman in the male lead roles both take full advantage of their moments in solo and duet numbers. They share the spotlight early in a comic “Happy Holidays,” followed by the ever-popular title tune. Sorge established his role as the more serious but shy fellow and had his best moments on such thoughtful pieces as “Count Your Blessings” and “How Deep is the Ocean.” He does, however, cut loose with white-jacketed dancers all around on a somewhat over-the-top setting for the great tune “Blue Skies.”

Denman, reprising the role he originated on Broadway, had stellar moments on a pair of song and dance numbers with Vanessa Sonon. Both “The Best Things Happen When You’re Dancing” and “I Love a Piano” showcased the artistically compatible couple’s talents as vocalists and dancers in engaging ballroom and tap segments.

Kate Loprest worked well with Sonon on the spirited “Sisters” and later got in on the comic fun as the pair joined with Deborah Jean Templin for “Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun.” Templin, a crowd favorite as the brassy concierge, belted out “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy” while youngster Caraline Shaheen stole a couple of scenes as the General’s granddaughter. David Johnson earned laughs as an ever-frantic stage manager.

Daren Kelly was sturdy as the general while Elise Kinnon and Mychal Phillips, as flirtatious chorines, and Kevin Farley, as a laconic hayseed, made the most of their throwback roles.

The large creative team for this David Ives and Paul Blake show, directed by Jayme McDaniel, have set down a challenge to even the most stalwart Grinches to try and not get a kick out of this tuneful flashback to simpler theatrical times.

Steve Feeney is a freelance writer who lives in Portland.

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