Babes in Toyland (operetta)

Babes in Toyland is a 1903 operetta by Victor Herbert, which wove together various characters from Mother Goose nursery rhymes into a musical — mainly because librettist Glen MacDonough wanted to cash in on the Wizard of Oz phenomena sweeping Broadway that year. Kids Little Jane and Little Allen are swept away to a fantastic land with fantastic settings (e.g., the Floral Palace of the Moth Queen, the Garden of Contrary Mary) allowed for lots of spectacle to bring the audiences in.

Related Topics:
1903 - Operetta - Victor Herbert - Mother Goose - Librettist - Glen MacDonough - Wizard of Oz - Broadway

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Most people know of the operreta from film versions; either Laurel and Hardy's 1934 version (which includes almost none of Herbert's songs or book), or the Technicolor remake from 1961 from Walt Disney featuring Ray Bolger, Tommy Sands, and Annette Funicello. A 1986 made for television version featured Drew Barrymore, Pat Morita, and Keanu Reeves. Herbert's title song "Toyland" occasionally shows up as a Christmas carol on holiday compliations.

Related Topics:
Film - Laurel and Hardy - 1934 version - Technicolor - Remake from 1961 - Walt Disney - Ray Bolger - Tommy Sands - Annette Funicello - 1986 - Drew Barrymore - Pat Morita - Keanu Reeves - Christmas carol - Holiday

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