Babes in Toyland

A Musical Extravaganza in a Prologue and 3 Acts, 11 Scenes. Libretto (book, lyrics) by Glen MacDonough. Music by Victor Herbert.

Majestic Theatre, New YOrk : Opened 13th October, 1903; closed 19th March, 1904 (192 perfs)

Story

The basic story is about orphans Alan and Jane, the wards of their wicked Uncle Barnaby, who wants to steal their fortune. He arranges for them to be shipwrecked and lost at sea, but somehow they are rescued by gypsies and returned to Contrary Mary's garden. Contrary Mary, believing her beloved Alan is dead, has run away with her brother, Tom-Tom the Piper's son, rather than agree to marry Barnaby.

After a second attempt on their lives in the Spider's Den, Alan and Jane are protected by the Moth Queen.

In Toyland, Contrary Mary, Tom-Tom, Alan and Jane find each other and seek protection from the Master Toymaker, an evil genius who plots with Barnaby to create toys that kill and maim. The demonic possessed dolls kill the Toymaker and Barnaby uses the information to have Alan sentenced to death. Contrary Mary agrees to marry him in exchange for Alan's pardon, but Barnaby marries her, denounces Alan again, and dies, after drinking a wine glass filled with poison meant for Alan.

Tom-Tom reveals that an old law of Toyland permitting marriage between a widow and a condemned man on condition that he supports her and honestly works may save Alan from the gallows and he marries the Widow Barnaby.

Musical Numbers

1. Don't Cry, Bo-Peep (Never Mind, Bo-Peep, We Will Find Your Sheep) - Bo-Peep, Tom Tom, Widow Piper's Children
2. Floretta - Alan, Chorus
3. Mary Mary (Entrance of Contrary Mary) - Chorus
4. Barney O'Flynn - Contrary Mary, Chorus
5. I Can't Do the Sum - Jane, Widow Piper's Children
6. Slumber Deep - The Spirit of Oak, Wood Spirits
   
7. Christmas Fair Waltz - Chorus
8. (Our Castle in Spain) The Legend of the Castle - Dutch Doll, Chorus
9. Rock-a-bye Baby - Alan, Chorus
10. Toy Soldiers' March and Military Ball - Alan, Jane, Full Chorus
11. The Toymakers (Shop) - Male Chorus
12. Toyland - Tom Tom, Male Chorus
13. My Rag Doll Girl (The Rag Doll)- Grumio, Jill
14. An Old-Fashioned Rose - Tom Tom
15. Before and After - Alan, Contrary Mary
16. Jane - Jane, Grumio, Chorus *
17. Maybe the Moon Will Help You Out - Bo-Peep
18. Finale - Ensemble

* Replaced with "He Won't Be Happy Till He Gets It"

CAST (in order of appearance):

• Alan, nephew of Barnaby
• Jane, Barnaby's niece
• Uncle Barnaby, a rich miser in love with Contrary Mary
• The Widow Piper, a lonely widow with 14 children
• Contrary Mary, the Widow Piper's eldest daughter
• Tom Tom, her eldest son
• Jill, who helps Jack
• Bo-Peep, who is a careless sbepherdess
• Red Riding Hood, who is devoted to her grandmother
• Sallie Waters, who wants to get married
• Curly Locks, who wants to wed a title
• Miss Muffit, who is afraid of spiders
• Simple Simon, who is fond of fairs
• Peter, who has a passion for pumpkin pie
• Tommy Tucker. who sings for his supper and everything else
• Jack, who does chores
• Boy Blue, who wants to be a farmer
• Bobby Shaftoe, who wants to be a sailor
• Roderigo, a sentimental ruffian
• Gonzargo, his hard-hearted partner
• Hilda, maid of all work in the Piper household
• The Master Toymaker, who designs the toys of the world
• Grumio, apprentice at the Master Toymaker's workshop
• Inspector Marmaduke, of the Toyland Police
• Max, the toymaker's apprentice
• The Brown Bear
• The Sun Queen
• The Spirit of Maple
• The Spirit of Oak
• The Spirit of Pine
• The Spirit of Willow
• The Moth Queen
• Mima
• The Volcano Queen
• The Giant Spider

Dandies, Flower Girls, French Dolls, Punches, Dutch Dolls, Toy Soldiers, Trumpeters, Drummers, Widows,

Scenes and Settings

Prologue

• Scene 1: Exterior of Uncle Bamaby's house.
• Scene 2: Electrical storm at sea and wreck of the Galleon.

Act 1

• Scene 1: Country fête in Contrary Mary's garden.
• Scene 2: Garden wall back of the garden.
• Scene 3: The Spider's Forest.
• Scene 4: The Floral Palace of the Moth Queen.

Act 2

• Scene l: The Christmas Tree Grove in Toyland.
• Scene 2: A street in Toyland
• Scene 3: The Master Toymaker's workshop.
• Scene 4. Exterior of Master Toymaker's castle.

Act 3:

• The courtyard of the Toyland Palace of Justice

Babes in Toyland