Phil Davis, half of the famous showbiz duo Wallace and Davis, is looking forward to a fun vacation in a warm climate.

Unfortunately, his buddy, Bob Wallace, dreams of a white Christmas – preferably one that involves the beautiful sister act, Betty and Judy Haynes, who entertained the former Army buddies at a local club.

Without consulting with – or even mentioning it to Davis –Wallace exchanges their train tickets for ones on the girls’ trip to Vermont.

Blissfully unaware of the change in plans, Davis sits aboard the train glibly accepting his friend’s explanations of why the conductor’s announced stops and landmarks seem to point progressively further north.

It’s all part of the fun in a seasonal favorite, White Christmas, on stage now at Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theatre.

The pair end up at the Vermont Inn where the girls had booked their next gig – which happens to be run by their beloved retired general, who has fallen on hard times.

General Henry Waverly (Frank Carrado) is broke, ofwhich he doesn’t even discover the full extent until his visiting granddaughter, Susan, tips him off to the enormous and rapidly growing stack of unpaid bills his secretary has been hiding from him.

A recent bizarre lack of snow and unseasonable 70-degree temperatures make for an empty inn, needless to say.

Of course, only one thing can save the inn and revive General Waverly’s zest for life.

Yup, you guessed it – a show!

The duo quickly sets about making the arrangements, calling in all of their contacts to pack the house – which is actually an old barn at the inn.

The old adage that everyone wants to be in show business proves true as the general’s long-time and long-suffering assistant, Martha Watson, and his visiting granddaughter, Susan, go to lengths that Lucy Ricardo would be proud of, to show their chops as they finagle for parts in the show.

Cheryl Hadley is a young talent who is already off to a strong start. She plays the old codger’s beloved granddaughter, Susan Waverly, with just the right touch of precociousness.

Susan – never Susie! at least not until there’s a potential part in the show – insists she can sing and dance.

Hadley does her justice with the reprise of Let Me Sing and I’m Happy. As with her acting, she never overdoes it, yet lets her personality and pure enjoyment shine through.

The stage rendition of White Christmas strays from the movie in a number of ways – it cuts out a lot of the schmaltzy romance, focusing on the show, and has fewer side plots going on.

Carol Swarbrick is wonderfully salty as the general’s right-hand woman Martha Watson, showing she can hold her own against a crusty boss who strikes fear in the hearts of decorated war veterans.

“You know, I did just fine without you for many years,” he reminded her, referring to his distinguished military career.

“Yes, but you needed 17,000 men in my place,” she retorted.

Swarbeck also proves adept on the stage, in What Do You Do With a General and Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun. The show includes some well-choreographed tap numbers, which the cast is more than up to performing.

Michael Gruber (Bob Wallace) and Greg McCormick-Allen (Phil Davis) play off of each other well, and are electrifying in their dance numbers Happy Holidays, Let Yourself Go, We’ll Follow the Old Man.

Christina Saffran Ashford and Taryn Darr, as Betty and Judy Haynes respectively, play the quibbling but close sisters perfectly, and show their dancing talents on numbers including Sisters, Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun, and Snow.

The entire company joins in for White Christmas and the finale: I’ve Got To Keep My Love Warm.

Does the show go on, and does it save the beloved inn? Visit the 5th Avenue Theatre this month and see for yourself!