Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts presents the American Family Theater production of the Victor Herbert captivating classic, "Babes in Toyland" on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 adults and $12 children. This production is a feature of Fairfield University's 2009-10 Arts & Minds series of events.

This sparkling holiday tradition begins with the tinkle of a music box and slowly - one by one - the characters come to life on stage. Alan, Mary, Widow Piper, Jack, Jill and Barnaby tell the story through dance in the amusing opening sequence.

And what a story! The Widow Piper is in danger of losing her house and her daughter, Mary, has more than one suitor for her hand in marriage; old Barnaby and Barnaby's young nephew, Alan, whom Mary loves. Old Barnaby will forgive the mortgage on the Piper house, if, the Widow will allow Mary to marry him. But Mary is horrified at the thought and reveals the plan to Alan.

Jack and Jill, two children from another part of the storybook forest, have come to Alan for help with homework and have some dramatic ideas that might help the situation. If Alan can hide Mary from his Uncle Barnaby until next week when he turns eighteen and comes into his inheritance, he can pay off Widow Piper's mortgage and free Mary and her mother from his uncle's bargain of marriage to Mary.

In the meantime, Alan takes Mary to safety deep in the storybook forest and Jack and Jill pull out their bag of tricks, which includes a ghost, a scheme to get the deed to the Widow Piper's house, the magical Goody GumDrop Tree and effective tickling.

Filled with unforgettable songs and sparkling talent, "Babes in Toyland" brims with humor and heart.

Tickets are available online at fairfield.edu/quick or by calling the Box Office at (203) 254-4010. The toll free number is 1-877-ARTS-396. Special offers and discounts are available through the Quick Center's e-mail list. Join, by contacting boxoffice@quickcenter.com . And become a fan of the Quick Center for the Arts on Facebook! Keep up-to-date with the latest performance news, plus special offers and discounts! Find the Quick Center at www.facebook.com/FairfieldQuickCenter.

Posted On: 12-03-2009 10:12 AM

Volume: 42 Number: 142