‘Babes In Toyland’ Sets Holiday Stage

“Babes in Toyland” has been a holiday hit for almost the entire 20th century.

This Victor Herbert musical (or operetta) opened in 1903 on Broadway. It was an immediate smash, bringing such songs as “Toyland” and “March of the Toys” into the public consciousness. At the time, it was noted for having uncommonly elaborate sets: A shipwreck, a farm, a giant toy shop.

The touring version of “Babes in Toyland,” which arrives at the Spokane Opera House on Wednesday, won’t be quite the same.

This touring production is based on the revised version by the Light Opera of Manhattan. It has run 13 consecutive seasons in New York, but it has never toured until now.

The original book by Glen MacDonough has been rewritten by William Mount-Burke and Alice Hammerstein Mathias. In this adaptation, the Cassidy kids take the train (not a ship) to Toyland to escape their strict parents. A corrupt detective (instead of the wicked Uncle Barnaby) attempts to find the kids and steal the kindly (not evil) toymaker’s plans.

But it will still have those great Victor Herbert songs, including a few more borrowed from other Herbert operettas.

Revisions are a hallowed tradition with “Babes in Toyland.” It has been filmed three times, each a dramatically different adaptation. The first time, in 1934, it was revised into a Laurel and Hardy vehicle. The second time, as a 1954 TV special, it was built around the stars Dennis Day, Wally Cox and Dave Garroway. The third time, in 1961, the story was Disney-ized with Annette Funicello and Tommy Sands, along with Ray Bolger and Ed Wynn.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: THEATER “Babes in Toyland” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Spokane Opera House. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children, available at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets or call (800) 325-SEAT.