Marionettes Mr. Barnaby and Tom Tom.
The Puppet Co. Playhouse Photo.
The Puppet Co. Playhouse production of Toyland is an adaptation of the 1903 operetta, Babes in Toyland, composed by Victor Herbert with libretto by Glen MacDonough. Like the original, the Playhouse’s Toyland cleverly combines characters from the Mother Goose nursery rhymes with upbeat songs like, “Never Mind, Bo-Peep, We Will Find Your Sheep” and “March of the Toys.”
‘Toyland’ is true “old school’ entertainment that adults and children will love.
Marionette puppets take center stage to tell the story of how the Master Toy Maker (played by live actor Christopher Piper) is kidnapped by the mean Mr. Barnaby who wants to trade the Toy Maker for all the toys in Toyland.
Christopher Piper as the Toymaker.
The Puppet Co. Photo.
Tom Tom, one of many 15-string marionettes, must find the Toy Maker before the upcoming celebrated Parade of Toys. Along the way, Tom Tom runs into fellow marionette Bo-Peep, who has lost her sheep, so they both set out together to find the sheep and the Toy Master. After a few more songs and some help from the Moth Queen, Mr. Barnaby is stopped, and the sheep make it home in time for the Parade of Toys.
Christopher Piper and Tony Strowd do a wonderful job behind the scenes working all of the puppets, with at times more than 5 puppets on stage at one time. Toyland is true “old school’ entertainment that adults and children will love.
Running Time: 40 minutes with no intermission.
Toyland is running through February 10, 2013 at The Puppet Co. Playhouse at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo Maryland. For tickets call the box office at 301-634-5380 or click here.
