Entertainment legend Mickey Rooney returns to the musical theater stage in this all-new version of Victor Herbert's "Babes In Toyland" featuring the Rainbow Puppets.

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Show all album songs: Toyland! with Mickey Rooney Songs


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Stage and screen legend Mickey Rooney lends his vocal performance to Rainbow Puppet Productionâs latest musical "Toyland!" This 100th anniversary production of Victor Herbertâs classic musical tale features a bumbling pirate, a parade of toy soldiers, and a giant spider guarding a spooky forest.

"Babes in Toyland" is one of the most beloved operettas of all time. Since opening in Chicago and then Broadway 100 years ago, it has been made into a delightful film starring Laurel and Hardy. In the 1960âs, Walt Disney filmed the musical with a cast featuring Ray Bolger and Annette Funnicello. Victor Herbertâs beloved melodies to "The March of the Toys," "I Canât Do the Sum," and "Toyland" are a memorable part of the American Songbook and they are all included in this brand new adaptation.

This latest version of Toyland takes all of the musical and dramatic highlights of the story and blends them into a fast-paced puppet spectacular. Bo Peep has lost her sheep -- could her evil Uncle Barnaby be the cause? Weâll have to follow her through the spider forest and on to Toyland where she seeks the help of the kind Master Toymaker.

This adaptation was written and arranged by David Messick, author of Rainbowâs "Really Big Dinosaur Show," "The Amazing Adventures of Chessie the Manatee," and the new musical "The Wright Brothers."

"Itâs like a dream come true to work with Mickey Rooney. He provided all the magic and excitement youâd expect from an MGM star! Heâs earned two Academy Awards, took Broadway by storm in âSugar Babies,â and won an Emmy along the way."

Mickey is joined by his wife, Jan Chamberlain Rooney, who provides the voice of Mother Goose. Jan currently tours with Mickey in their two person show "One Man, One Wife." She also worked as an artist at Hanna-Barbera animation studios.

Other cast members include Kara Dennison as Bo Peep. She has provided voice work on many commercials and animated programs. The voice of Miss Muffett is Tiffany Haas who just completed a PBS musical special with Denyce Graves. Tiffany joined the Broadway cast of "Wicked" in 2005. Red Riding Hood is Cindy Kays of the award-winning musical team C-Shells.

This is far from Messickâs first production of Toyland. "In the 70âs, I was cast as the giant spider in a production of Toyland," says Messick. "A year later I was made choreographer of another production. A few years after that I was directing a cast of 100 people in the largest touring production ever staged in Virginia."

"I last directed the show on its 80th anniversary. I promised myself Iâd present another on its 100th anniversary. Itâs scary how fast time flies!"

The program was engineered by Steve Scheffler who also appears as the voice of evil Uncle Barnaby. Sets were designed by Rainbow Puppeteer Jason Wiedel. Puppeteers Kathie Davis and Regina Smith provided additional sets and costumes. Specialty puppets for the program were created by master puppet makers Laura Huff, Jill Harrington, and Frank Lakus.

credits:

Rainbow Puppet Productions
Presents

Toyland!

Adapted from the Operetta "Babes in Toyland"

Music by Victor Herbert
Libretto and Lyrics by Glenn MacDonough

New stage play and lyrics written and staged
by David Messick

Recording Engineered, Arranged and Produced by Steve Scheffler

Puppets by Jill Harrington, Laura Huff, Frank Lakus Kathie Davis and Christine Frank

Costumes by Regina Smith

Scenic and promotional art by Jason Wiedel

Rainbow Puppeteers include Kathie Davis, Katy Junkins, David and Marcy Messick, Regina Smith, and Jason Wiedel

Special thanks to Alyce Mott of the Victor Herbert Renaissance and Constance Grayme for their assistance in finding original source material.



Cast of Character in order of appearance

The Master Toymaker - Mickey Rooney
Red Riding Hood - Cindy Kays
The Big Bad Wolf - Don Bartlett
Jack - Tim Tharrington
Jill - Lisa Ryan
The Woman (Who Lived in a Shoe) - Chris Bartlett
Mother Goose/Fairy Princess - Jan Chamberlain Rooney
Miss Muffett - Tiffany Haas
Little Bo Peep - Kara Dennison
Barnaby - Steve Scheffler
Gonzorgo the Pirate - Craig T. Adams
Tom the Piperâs Son - Jim Stensvaag
Roderigo the Gypsy/Conductor - Jason Wiedel
The Cypress Tree - Beverley Slayton
Grumio - David Messick

and Tyler Ryan