Performance: Babes in Toyland Genre: Musical Series: Youtheatre Location: Theatre

Like most popular musicals, Babes in Toyland has been around for a long time in many different forms. It first emerged as an operetta by Victor Herbert in 1903. A musical film starring the great comic duo Laurel and Hardy surfaced in 1934, and then Disney studios produced yet another film in 1961 starring Ray Bolger, Annette Funicello and Tommy Sands.

This new version will delight audiences both young and old with its new, fresh music, as well as many original favorites including the arithmetic song, “I Can’t Do the Sum” and “March of the Toy Soldiers.”

As the story goes - the villainous Barnaby (Stephen Wells – making his EP debut) has fallen in love with sweet Mistress Mary Quite Contrary (Ali Dickson). If he can't buy her love, then he'll force her to marry him by threatening to foreclose on her mother, the poor Widow Piper (Liz Flanders – another newcomer to the EP stage). Mary already has her heart set on marrying Barnaby's nephew Alan (Tyler Shearer) — but not if Barnaby can help it! He hires two bumbling ruffians, Gonzorgo (Kyle Brace) and Roderigo (Jack Rys), to do away with Alan, but Alan returns to Mother Goose Land amidst much rejoicing. To get away from Barnaby, Mary journeys to the mysterious Toyland through the dangerous Spider Forest. But wait! Barnaby hasn't given up, and he herds the whole gang of Mother Goose Land characters to Toyland in pursuit of Mary. There we encounter the magical mystery of Toyland as we meet the Master Toymaker (Nathan Nitczynski) and his quirky assistants Grumio (Richard Arlington IV) and Marmaduke (Jesse Nathanson). And as one would expect – all ends happily.

Familiar storybook characters will be on stage to charm each and everyone in the audience – Tom the Piper’s Son, Little Bo Peep, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Peter Pumpkin Eater, Goldilocks, Jack & Jill and more. Many newcomers and regulars round out the singing and dancing ensemble as toy soldiers, elves, dolls and gypsies.

Babes in Toyland is under the direction of Erie Playhouse Youtheatre/Education Director, Emily Cassano. Marann Curtis is choreographing with Eric Smrcka handling vocal direction. Mary Rose Ferrara will create the costumes with the assistance of the cast member’s parents and Joe Hassler will design the various Toyland locations.

Babes in Toyland – it’s time to revisit this classic musical and introduce it to your entire family.