The school musical “White Christmas” will open Thursday and plays through Sunday, Nov. 24. 

The Thursday through Saturday shows will be at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday matinée will be at 2:30 p.m. Tickets will be $7 for students and $12 for adults. The playoff football game against El Paso Bowie Saturday afternoon in Midland will affect some cast members, but the musical will still run as scheduled.

“White Christmas” portrays the story of Broadway stars and veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, played by seniors Christian Farren and Ryan Land, who follow the singing sister duo Betty and Judy Haynes, played by senior Morgan Finke and junior Bailey Deberry, to Vermont. Upon arrival, Wallace and Davis find that the commanding officer of their unit during World War II, General Waverly, played by senior Tayten Martin, is attempting to run an unprofitable inn.  Wallace and Davis devise a scheme to use their song-and-dance act to bring visitors to the inn and give Waverly the best Christmas present he could receive.

 “The music is very fast and upbeat and jazzy,” Farren said. “Jazz chords, vocally, are very tough, and the chorus this year has done a fantastic job. The dancing is incredibly difficult.”

 “White Christmas” is set in 1954, and the music and dancing reflects the jazz style of the ‘40s and ‘50s. Land said the big upbeat dance numbers make the cast members concentrate so the dance movements reflect the music and synchronize with other dancers.

“It’s really different than modern day,” Deberry said. “The dancing is really energetic and vivacious. It’s a challenge, but it’s a fun challenge.”

Farren said that it feels like the cast and crew stepped up to give a gift to the seniors this year.

 “I don’t know if it was on purpose or if it’s something that they just did naturally,” Farren said. “It’s important to know that it’s your last musical, and you’ve got to make the most of it.”

Farren said that being a part of the musical was a fun experience and this year has been his favorite year by far.

 “I’ve grown personally just because of all the hard work that goes into it,” Farren said. “I can see all the hard work that everyone else is putting into it as well.”

Finke said that she doesn’t think that the cast and crew would have been able to do the kind of work that they have been able to do without an extremely talented group of people.

 “I think that this show is a really good representation of the students at Canyon High School,” Finke said. “There are a lot of different people from different organizations. It’s really neat to see all of the different athletes and choir kids and band kids and all of those groups come together to make one big show.”

Choir director Brandon Farren will control the accompaniment and assistant choir director Kelli Harter will conduct singers during the performances.

“We’ve got a huge chorus and a huge cast this year,” Harter said. “There is lots of dancing, fabulous costumes, and the family values of the 1950s. It’s just a really wholesome show.”

Theater teacher and musical director David Yirak said that “White Christmas” is a fun show that will put audiences in the holiday spirit.

“We’re going to have lots of good character parts that are fun and enjoyable,” Yirak said. “You’ll see a lot of really talented kids. Be ready for a great time.”