Since the inaugural performance in 2008, more than 100,000 people have seen Irving Berlins .
Todd Talbot has played the philandering Phil Davis since the production began. We get a lot of people come back year after year. Its great to be a part of that, the 39-year-old says, his voice is still raspy having just finished a sold-out matinee.
So after 133 performances over the four years, he must be sick of all the Christmas songs.
Actually Im not, he says seriously. Im in the category of holding off on the music and decorations until December 1 at least, but after that Im all for it. They dont bother me at all. I was walking down in Granville the other day between shows and I was whistling the tunes theyre contagious.
Some people might have a problem with them but I say, get over it, he adds with a laugh.
He has a sort of ritual before every show. I go up into the crossbar of the theatre, and then I stretch, do some vocal warm-ups, I listen to a couple White Christmas tunes on my iPhone, to get in the mood, and I sing through a couple of the tunes.
But theres always one order of business to be taken care of before a performance. You make sure you go to the bathroom because its a long time before a break, he says. Always remember to do that.
