Babes in Toyland

There are a few versions of Babes in Toyland out there. Where is the production you are auditioning for?

Basically the show is about two children who escape to Toyland to get away from their up-tight parents. While there, they meet the toymaker who introduces the children to his toys, who dance and sing. Eventually we meet a villian who tries to steal all the toy soldiers from the toymaker. The parents make their way to toyland to bring the children home and together, they defeat the villian to help the toymaker save his soldiers.

Like I said, there are a few differant versions. Do you know who wrote the one you are auditioning for? I would suggest singing a ballad, let R&H Cinderella be your guide. A Christmas tune might not be a bad idea either.

Hope this helps!

BABES IN TOYLAND is one of the earliest Broadway scores we have full recordings of.

The original was a 3 act "extravaganza" that premiered in October 1903. Of course there are no "original cast" recordings from way back then, there is a Decca CD of selections from the score recorded in 1944. It is a studio album so not terribly theatrical but it gives you fairly complete readings of 10 numbers. If you have access to a turntable and can find a copy of a Readers Digest boxed set of records called A TREASURY OF GREAT OPERETTAS you will find one side devoted to a well sung program of songs from the show performed by Peter Palmer, Jeanette Scovotti, Mallory Walker and full chorus and orchestra.

The songs are not as operatic as say Gilbert & Sullivan. In fact several are closer to musical comedy style. "Toyland" is still sung a lot in Christmas concerts and shows up on several Christmas Cd's. There are other delights:

"Never Mid Bo Peep, We Will Find Your Sheep" - a great ensemble number
"Floretta" a lively gypsy song sung by Alan and chorus
"Barney O'Flynn" - Contrary Mary's waltzing love song
"I Can't do That Sum" - sung by Jane and the children tapping out the song's rhythmic accompaniment with chalk on slates
"Go to Sleep, Slumber Deep" - a charming lullaby
"Song of the Poet" - a delightful set of variations on "Rock-abye Baby" sung by Alan. (This includes a now potically incorrect "mammy" version that was recorded on the Decca set but deleted from the Readers Digest recording.)

There is also quite a bit of dance music: ballets, the march of the toys (where they come to life and kill the evil toymaker), the charming "Military Ball" and a delightful tune that underscores secenes in the Toymaker's workshop.

While the tunes are always a delight...some of the lyrics are ..well, AWKWARD. Remember, this was written in 1903. (Some performance vesrions rewrite the lyrics but it seldom offers an improvement.)

There is a movie too, done in 1934 starring Laurel and Hardy (as apprentice toymakers.) The original plot which meanders all over the place and doesn't really hold together, was replaced with a more coherent one but the 79 minute film keeps only 5 songs (though uses others in underscoring.) M-g-M let the copywrite lapse and the film was reissued under several titles but today is most commonly found on video under the title MARCH OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS.

Probably way more than you needed to know but hope it helps.

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