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‘Babes in Toyland’ hits the stage
The Paris News
Published December 4, 2008
A highlight of this year’s “Holiday in Paris” celebration is the Paris Community Theatre production of “Babes in Toyland.”
A favorite of audiences young and old alike since its debut in 1903, “Babes in Toyland” was composed by one of the best-known figures in American music, Victor Herbert, famed for his light operettas such as “Naughty Marietta” and “The Red Mill.” With a libretto by Glen MacDonough, “Babes in Toyland” featured some of Herbert’s most famous songs — among them “Toyland,” “March of the Toys,” “Go To Sleep, Slumber Deep,” and “I Can’t Do The Sum.”
The original version ran for 192 performances and enjoyed a number of tours and revivals over the years. It was adapted in the 1970s and mounted for several weeks each Christmas season for 13 years by the Light Opera of Manhattan, gaining even more generations of fans. The story also has been used in a number of film and television productions over the years, as well as several animated cartoon versions.
As offered by Dramatic Publishers Company, this version of “Babes In Toyland” features many of the characters long-familiar to fans of the original, including Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary; Tom, Tom, the Piper’s Son; Jack and Jill; Little Miss Muffet; Wicked Uncle Barnaby who runs the toy shop (and his comic-ruffian assistants, Roderigo and Gonzorgo) who turn children into dolls and sell them for gold; and lovable Jane and Alan, who are his next victims. The adaptation, by Ruth Perry with Ann Smit and Susan Carle, uses the original music of Victor Herbert and much of Glen MacDonough’s libretto and lyrics.
Directed by Kyle Jones, “Babes in Toyland” opens at 8 p.m. Friday at the Plaza Theater in downtown Paris. For information on ticket prices and availability, call the PCT office, 1 to 5 p.m., at 903-784-0259 or visit www.paristheatreonline.com. This play is presented as a special holiday offering and is not part of the PCT season ticket line-up.
Cast for “Babes in Toyland” include: Mr. Barnaby, Paul Vinson; Gonzorgo, Rowdy Peacock; Rodrigo, Joel Mueller; Widow Piper, Tia Ballard; Jane, Mackenna Jones; Alan, Spencer Jones; Contrary Mary, Danielle Frankland; Tom Tom the Piper’s son, Ben Malone; Little Bo Peep, Jessica Duren; Jack, Jeremiah Frankland; Jill, Kelci Welch; Little Miss Muffet, Micaela Frankland; Red Riding Hood, Lauren Thompson; Polly Put the Kettle On, Hannah Hervey; Goldilocks, Brianna McElyea; Lucy Lockett, Brianna Rogers; Simple Simon, Trey Carter; Little Boy Blue, Jacob Jones; Wee Willie Winkie, Josiah Frankland; My Son John, Justin Welch; Toy Soldier, Riede Faires; Mirandy, Chandler Jones; Floppo, Mikaila Rogers; CoCo, Brandi Elmore; Colette, Kayla Farmer; Bru, Jacob Duren; Luna, Madison Scott; Lady Lily, Brianna Rogers; Lady Rose, Emily Davis; Spider, Vickie Vinson; and, Santa Clause, Bill Higgins.
The crew includes: assistant directors, Monica Jones and Vicki Frankland; choreography, Amy Burrows; costumes, Rebecca Robinson; sound design, Jeff Frankland; light design, Ray Karrer/Richard Fields; light operator, Doug Faires; props, Jill Faires; musical arrangement, Don McDermott; backstage manager, Vicki Frankland; and set design, Alan Jones.
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