MunOpCo Music Theatre celebrates its 90th season with Irving Berlin’s classic holiday musical, “White Christmas,” 8 p.m. Dec 2, 9 and 2 p.m. Dec. 3 and 10, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton St., Allentown.

The show is based on the 1954 film starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act. But when they follow two singing sisters to Vermont with romance on the mind, they discover that the nearly bankrupt lodge the sisters were scheduled to perform at happens to be owned by their former army commander.

MunOpCo “White Christmas” director Rody Gilkeson grew up with the beloved classic movie.

“We watched that movie from the time I was a little kid. We went to see ‘White Christmas’ at another theater here in the area that had done it before and I really liked the play. It’s different from the movie but I thought it would be something that I’d really like to get involved with so that’s kind of how I put in to direct it once it had been chosen by MunOpCo.”

Gilkeson has focused on crafting quality scenes with this production. In a show with such elaborate song and dance numbers he wants to make sure the scenes in between are just as captivating.

“I’m very happy with the way everyone has taken my direction and really pushed the show and their characters at all moments. Not just when they’re dancing, not just when they’re singing, but they’re really full characters all through the whole production.”

The technical components of the show add to the magic.

“The costuming is going to be very elaborate, working within the budget we have. A lot of deep reds, greens, in keeping with the Christmas season. The dance numbers are each going to be very different in their look. ‘I Love A Piano’ will be done in all black in white. There’s a number that ends act one that is all in blue. We’re also trying to stay very true to the 1950’s style of costuming. Every piece is being chosen so it fits the time period. Nothing will be an anachronism or somebody running around in something that looks like it’s from the year 2000.” Gilkeson says.

“Because MunOpCo has a huge stage, we’ll be flying pieces in and there will be snow, which is something hopefully that the audience will enjoy when it finally does become ‘White Christmas.’”

Elizabeth Marsh-Gilkeson plays Betty Haynes, the non-dancing Haynes sister. Marsh-Gilkeson feels that she is similar to her character.

“I think that Betty’s an awkward, shy type of person and I think she kind of puts up walls pretty easily. She’s very formal. I have that awkward shyness in me.”

Although a fan of the movie, she has created her own interpretation of the role.

“I like to develop the character basically from what I read in the script and how I interpret her to be. And, obviously what direction the director wants to go in is really important. I kind of read the script, found her personality and her quirks and everything to build up from there.”

Marsh-Gilkeson has acted with MuOpCo since 2002, performing in 13 shows. She says that mounting a production is a community effort.

“The cast has been wonderful. They’re all very hardworking. The dancing ensemble has so much to do. We range in age from 11 to those in their 70s. It’s really a community. We all really want to put on a wonderful show: MunOpCo’s Christmas card to the Lehigh Valley.”

Gilkeson hopes to convey the show’s central message of love to audiences.

“This show really is about love and respect. It’s about helping people. At the holiday times when there are so many people that aren’t fortunate it’s important to remember that the season’s really about love and helping others ... being the best you can be and bringing others to the best they can be.”

The cast features Kurt Carlson as Bob Wallace, Elizabeth Marsh-Gilkeson as Betty Haynes, Brian Jones as Phil Davis and Sherilyn Jones as Judy Haynes. Also featured are John Bracali as General Waverly, Lillie Braisted as Susan Waverly and Susan McDermott as Martha Watson.

Rounding out the cast are Denise Bergenheier, John Bertone, Pamela Braisted, Fred Broadbent, Robert Calder, Diana Colahan, Trevor Colahan, Deborah D’Haiti, Cindy Ernst, Jonathan Hammer, Darice Hoffmann, Deb Jacoby, Tony Kohl, Nate Kuhns, Mackenzie Lewis, Denise Long, Caitlin McDermott, Jaedon Muhl, Beth Sucro, Lisa Suppan, Jessica Weber, Ted Williams, and Deven Windisch.

The show is choreographed by Joey Schubert and musically directed by Nancy Broadbent with set design by Brett Oliveira, lighting and sound design by Jon Tobias, costume design by Nate Kuhns, additional costume design by Mary Catherine Bracali, and props design by Darice Hoffmann. Michelle Cerrone stage manages.

Tickets: munopco.org; Munopco.info@gmail.com; 610-437-2441