When the curtain rises on “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” this December, it won’t just mark the start of Grosse Pointe Theatre’s 78th season. It will christen a new artistic home.

After nearly a decade of performing in borrowed and temporary spaces, the company steps into the gleaming, state-of-the-art Schaap Center with a production that celebrates community, honors veterans and embraces the heart of the holidays.

Running Dec. 5-21, this beloved musical offers everything audiences come to the theater for this time of year: romance, nostalgia, lavish costumes, spirited dance numbers, and, of course, Berlin’s timeless music. But behind the sparkle is a deeper message. It’s one that resonates strongly with this company and the community it serves.

A new stage, a new chapter

For Director Nick Marinello, this performance at the Schaap Center stage is both a milestone and a moment of gratitude.

“Stepping onto the Schaap Center stage feels like the culmination of eight years of creativity, resilience and gratitude,” Marinello said. “We’ve been itinerant performers for nearly a decade, and the Grosse Pointe schools graciously kept us alive during that time. Now, there’s this incredible sense of responsibility that comes with walking into our new performance home.”

That responsibility is woven through every design choice, every rehearsal and every collaborative moment among the cast and crew.

“The Grosse Pointe community, the Detroit community, and so many generous partners came together to make this space a reality,” Marinello added. “We feel called to be good ambassadors for the arts here.”

It’s a fitting sentiment for a production that centers on service, generosity and the bonds that hold people together, particularly during the holidays.

A story rooted in gratitude and service

Based on the iconic 1954 film starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, “White Christmas” follows Army buddies Bob Wallace and Phil Davis as they pursue a pair of singing sisters to Vermont, only to discover that the failing inn where the women are booked is owned by their beloved former commander, Gen. Waverly. In true musical-comedy fashion, romance, laughter and heartwarming surprises ensue.

But beyond the snow-dusted charm and big dance breaks, the story has an emotional core that speaks directly to audiences and to this year’s creative team.

“For me, the song ‘What Do You Do With a General?’ captures the heart of those themes,” Marinello said. “It’s a poignant reflection on how retired service members can be celebrated for their heroism yet still overlooked when they return to civilian life. The show invites us to make sure our words of thanks aren’t hollow, but supported by real acts of service.”

Those themes hit especially close to home for Apprentice Director Kyle Weatherbee, an eight-year Marine Corps veteran who served in Hawaii and Okinawa. Weatherbee sees the musical not simply as a holiday classic, but as a story of reintegration and support.

“The Marine Corps has a way of humbling people through hardship, sacrifice and service,” he said. “Some of the characters in this production are navigating life after the military, trying to find purpose and joy again. I have walked that path and understand the struggles and triumphs of adjusting to a new normal.”

Weatherbee added that the show’s depiction of chosen family — the Army veterans who rally together for their general — reflects the real impact of community support. “At its core, ‘White Christmas’ is about people helping people. Acts of kindness can have a lasting impact.”

A GPT production through and through

While the story is timeless, the production itself is uniquely Grosse Pointe Theatre. A cast of 26 performers and a backstage crew of 25 bring the musical to life, supported entirely by the passion, talent and craftsmanship of volunteers.

“What makes this production uniquely GPT is the signature blend of artistry, craftsmanship and heart that comes from a volunteer-driven community,” Marinello said. “Every detail — the costumes, choreography, musical arrangements, and set design — carries that unmistakable ‘GPT touch.’ It’s the pride, care and collaborative energy that people in this community pour into a show.”

Audiences can look forward to all the classic visual hallmarks of “White Christmas” — elegant 1950s winter glamour, sweeping dance numbers, and musical favorites such as “Blue Skies,” “Sisters,” “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” and, of course, “White Christmas.” For many, these songs are woven into the fabric of the season itself.

In this production, they will be complemented by stunning costumes, vivid sets and “the kind of warmth only community theatre can deliver,” Marinello said.

In addition to the musical itself, audiences can enjoy festive pre-show entertainment. Metro Detroit choral groups will perform seasonal favorites 30 minutes before each curtain, and Santa and Christmas Carol will appear at select performances. Patrons are encouraged to arrive early to explore the theater and enjoy the amenities of the Schaap Center and the Manoogian Art Gallery.

For the broader GPT community, this production is more than the start of a new season; it’s the start of a new home.

“This marks a historic moment in our 78-year history,” said Linda Zublick, executive director of Grosse Pointe Theatre. “The move to a new performance home would not be possible without our dedicated members, passionate patrons, generous donors, and the vibrant community that has supported us every step of the way.”

Marinello echoes that sentiment.

“‘White Christmas’ is Grosse Pointe Theatre’s holiday card to the metro Detroit community,” he said. “Our way of saying ‘thank you’ for making a difference and supporting the arts. We invite everyone to celebrate this special season with us.”

As the company looks ahead, Marinello hopes this production sets the tone for the next chapter.

“I hope this production feels like a housewarming for us and for the audience,” he said.

If you go

What: “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” presented by Grosse Pointe Theatre

When: Dec. 5-21, with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Pre-show choral performances begin 30 minutes before. Special Santa appearances on Dec. 11 and Dec. 14.

Where: Schaap Center for the Performing Arts, 15001 E. Jefferson Ave., Grosse Pointe Park

Parking: Free self-parking and complimentary valet

Tickets: gpt.org/whitechristmas, 313-881-4004, start at $29

Runtime: About 2 hours, 30 minutes, with an intermission

Bożena Lamparska’s life began with an obstacle, but she has spent every chapter since pushing forward, crafting a life rich in art, intellect and resilience.

Born in January 1955, just months before the polio vaccine was widely introduced, Lamparska contracted the virus at 10 months old.

“No one ever figured out how I got it,” she says. By the age of 14, she had already undergone a dozen surgeries. But instead of letting limitations define her, Bozena found expression through music — a suggestion from her doctor to keep her hands active that would become a lifelong passion.

Lamparska went on to teach applied music at St. Lawrence University, specializing in voice, harpsichord and piano. “I wasn’t going to be a Vladimir Horowitz,” she said, “but I played and I taught.”

Her musicality flourished despite physical limitations, and she became a respected performer, frequently called on as a last-minute soloist due to her impeccable sight-reading skills.

Over the years, Lamparska wore many professional hats — musician, educator, administrative assistant, researcher, mental health counselor and IT specialist.

“I got bored easily,” she said. After moving into computer work in the 1990s, she led the IT department at a major nonprofit in Philadelphia and became a certified Microsoft engineer. She even helped safeguard data during the Y2K scare.

Lamparska’s life took her from her native Rhode Island to Baltimore, upstate New York, Philadelphia, Maryland’s Eastern Shore and finally to Michigan, where she now lives at Brookdale Southfield. While mobility has become more difficult, she now uses a motorized wheelchair due to a complex mix of post-polio complications, aging and Parkinson’s — her sense of purpose remains clear.

“I try to feel useful,” she said. “Whether it’s helping someone with computer issues or singing along with medieval and Renaissance recordings, I still find ways to stay engaged.”

Though she no longer performs as she once did, music remains central to her life. She listens to choral works, sings along with the scores, and surrounds herself with the compositions she loves most. “Music was real important to me,” she said. “And I didn’t fully realize just how important until I couldn’t play anymore.”

Her advice for others facing physical or emotional limitations is simple: “Just keep moving forward, regardless of limitations. Do the best you can.”

And that’s exactly what she’s done.