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Magic, holiday fun brought to life in `Babes in Toyland'
By
DAVID DOW BENTLEY III
“The
People’s Critic”
(The Courier
11.26.00) | 
For
area parents wondering about the best entertainment for young
children this holiday season, Conroe's Crighton Players are ready
with the answer in the colorful new production of "Babes in
Toyland" at Conroe's historic Crighton Theater. (8 p.m.
performances December 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th. Also, 2 p.m. matinees
November 26th and December 3rd. Call 936-441-7469 for reservations
or information.)
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The
cast of nearly fifty was made up largely of area youngsters who
are more than ready to put you and the kids in the holiday spirit
with the delightful opening number, "Hail to Christmas."
Lovingly directed by Crighton perennial, Jim Walker, the Eugene
Jackson play tells a story centered about countless characters
from the nursery rhymes of Mother Goose.
Such favorites as "Three Men in a Tub," "The Queen
of Hearts," "Humpty Dumpty," and
"Jack-in-the-Box," come vividly to life thanks to a cast
that is loaded with hard-working and talented children. Your
youngsters won't need a program to figure out who's who in the
fabulous, imaginative and very colorful costumes of Lyn Peverill.
Her original designs are a highlight of the production, and are
beautifully complemented by the charming sets and scenic designs
of Russell and Joan Kelley. Perhaps there hasn't been this much
vivid color on a stage since the Hollywood heyday of Technicolor.
Don't miss "Mistress Mary Quite Contrary's" quaint
cottage and garden, or the vivid mural depicting both the
"Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe" and the "Cow That
Jumped Over the Moon."
The easy-to-follow plot has Mary (C.J. Dockery) in love with
handsome young Alan (Wesley Fruge). Alan's evil Uncle Barnaby (Jerre
B. Williams) looks like a cross between Count Dracula and the Mad
Hatter. He and his partners in crime, (Dennis O'Connor as Gonzorgo
and Colton Peverill as Roderigo) do all they can to thwart romance
between Alan and Mary. Dot Gallagher plays the feisty Widow Piper,
Joel Looney is the energetic toy shop assistant, Grumio, and
Steven Balagatas does a suspicious Inspector Marmaduke, who may or
may not be corrupt. Brian Bushart provides a scary Giant Spider,
and moves about convincingly in one of the show's cleverest
costumes.
Rounding out the casting leads is the vocally talented Greg Kelly
who sings a delightful "Toyland," and doubles as the
show's Musical Director. He gets fine choral ensemble work from
the youthful cast. While the book and lyrics are not up to the
witty and melodic standard of such previous productions as "Rumplestiltskin,"
there are a number of cute songs and some momentary reminders of
Gilbert and Sullivan. Cheri Eagan provides some nice choreography,
including the acrobatic gypsy dance and the toyshop dance of the
dolls. And what discipline we see from the statue-like dolls
before they are brought magically to life by the dazzling
"Gizmo" machine, amid the luscious sets and costumes of
Toyland.
As a beaming and justifiably proud cast sang a final
"Toyland" reprise, audience member Joan Smalley-Smith
turned to her husband Maurice and whispered: "They really are
dolls, aren't they?" A perfect Christmas card had come to
life on the Crighton stage.
E-Mail
David Dow Bentley III
Bentley’s columns, featured in newspapers
from the East Coast to the Gulf Coast, may be viewed on the website at
www.ThePeoplesCritic.com
while E-mail may be addressed to
ThePeoplesCritic@earthlink.net
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