By Claire DeMarco
Take two siblings, one devious relative, two accomplices, a crazy toymaker. Add a handful of Mother Goose nursery characters. Mix thoroughly with delightful music, comedy, and dance!
A Recipe for trouble or just great entertainment?
Siblings Alan (Stephen Wilson) and Jane (Mary-Cait Cox) are orphans. They’ve been under the supervision of their Uncle Barnaby (Todd Foose). Unfortunately, evil Barnaby intends to eliminate Alan and Jane and grab their inheritance. If successful, Barnaby will then marry Contrary Mary (Kaylee Allmond) and grab her inheritance as well. What a guy!
To complicate the situation, Contrary Mary and Alan love each other.
Barnaby hires two scoundrels, Roderiga (Jordan Hightower) and Gonzorgo (Phil Hayes) to perform the dastardly deed. Their attempt to capsize a boat the siblings are on fails miserably.
Their next plot involves enticing Alan and Jane into the woods and permanently losing them. When that plan fails Alan and Jane escape to Toyland, a world of wonder but with underlying danger. Master Toymaker (Kathryn Morosky) has devious plans of her own to not only remove Alan and Jane permanently but all children.
Roderiga and Gonzorgo find themselves in Toyland, too. Triple threat!
So, how did this mixture of evil and good work out? Did the good guys prevail?
Foose plays the villain using great facial expressions, squinting and rolling his eyes. He uses his full- length black cape with the vivant red lining, twirling it effectively as he moves maliciously around the stage.
Hayes is believable as one of the partners-in-crime out to terminate Alan and Jane. He plays a weaker member of the evil duo, with a tenderness that is often endearing.
Hightower has great physical and facial movements that strengthen her performance as the leader of the for-hire bad guys. She and Hayes have a raucous duet singing “Don’t Be a Villain.”
Wilson delights as the engaging Alan. His physical and facial movements express his emotional status. His rendition of “Floretta” highlights his singing skills.
Omar Tolentino as Grumio and Cox sing a lovely version of “I’m Falling in Love with Someone”.
As the buffoonish Inspector Delancey Marmaduke, Christopher Bartko’s comedic delivery is perfect.
Note: What a great group of talented actors and singers. A larger theater space with such a big cast would have showcased the actors’ talents even further.
“Babes in Toyland” is an operetta composed by Victor Herbert with a libretto by Glen MacDonough. Victor Herbert’s “Babes in Toyland” has been around since 1903 and has gone through multiple adaptations on stage, film, television and even in cartoon form. This version of “Babes in Toyland” adapted and directed by Pittsburgh Savoyards’ Robert Hockenberry.
Salute to Music Director/Conductor Guy Russo and the excellent supporting orchestra.
Note: Depending on the performance date, many of the actors’ roles are performed by other members of the cast.
-CED
“Babes in Toyland” is a production of The Pittsburgh Savoyards. Performances run from December 6th to December 21st at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center in Bellevue. For more information, click here.
