The Toys Take Over Christmas by Patricia Clapp Cone. Directed by Chesley Krohn. All Photos by Bruce Bennett
Stage Repertory Theatre
www.stagestheatre.com
EarlyStages' Popular
Toys Take Over Christmas
A Houston Holiday Tradition
November 21 - December, 24, 2002
For the sixth consecutive year, The Toys Take Over Christmas delights audiences of all faiths
The Toys Take Over Christmas by Patricia Clapp Cone. Directed by Chesley Krohn. All Photos by Bruce Bennett
Houston, TX - For the sixth consecutive year, EarlyStages at Stages Repertory Theatre provides a joyous treat for children of
all ages and families of all faiths with Patricia Clapp - Cone's heartwarming play The Toys Take Over Christmas. To
accommodate sell - out crowds for this popular holiday favorite, Stages has scheduled additional weekday and evening
performances, and a special Christmas Eve performance. Daytime performances are scheduled for groups and by advance
purchase Monday - Friday at 9:30am and 11:30am, and public performances are Saturdays at 11:30am and 2:00pm. Evening
performances are at 7:00pm on the following dates: December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21, 2002.
The Toy Maker puts the finishing touches on his newest creation, a rag doll named Sunny. The Toy Maker's toys are beautiful and he
considers himself to be the greatest Toy Maker in the world, but he never sells the toys to anyone. The toys come to life when the Toy Maker
sprinkles them with magic dust, but they are not allowed to leave the toyshop. When Sunny comes to life, she has some trouble walking. Her
legs are wobbly, and she falls down a lot. So, the Toy Maker checks her legs to make sure he put in enough stuffing.
Toys Take Over Christmas is the story of Sunny, a walking, talking, life - sized rag doll who comes to life after the Toymaker
sprinkles her with magic dust. Though her intentions are good, Sunny makes an astonishing discovery in the toyshop that
divides the loyalties of her newfound friends, and jeopardizes the Toymaker's claim to be the "Greatest Toymaker in the
world!" Director Chesley Krohn says of Toys Take Over Christmas, "For years audiences have valued this play as a reminder
that although kindness and understanding sometimes seem beyond our reach, love and compassion win in the end."
Appreciated by audiences of all faiths, TOYS is a marvelous opportunity to share this message with the whole family.
A mysterious old woman visits the toy shop and tries to buy a toy, but the Toy Maker insists that none of his toys are for sale. She pleads
with him, saying her grandchild would very much like to receive a toy for Christmas, but he will not change his mind. She tells him that if
he will not share, he cannot be the greatest Toy Maker in the world; that title belongs to Santa Claus, who gives his toys to children all over
the world, so that they might have something to play with and love.
The toys, led by Sunny, ask why they won't ever belong to children, and the Toy Maker explains that children are not as much fun as they
might seem. He tells the toys that eager children squeeze, poke, and crush their toys. It is better, the Toy Maker assures them to stay in the
toyshop. Photo by Bruce Bennett
This year's production of Toys features an entirely new cast who bring to life the beloved characters of the Toyshop, including
Colette the French Clown, the Fashion Doll, wooden toy soldiers, and several surprise guests!
The toys decide they would rather belong to children than live in the toyshop, and declare that Santa Claus is the greatest toy maker in the
world because he gives his toys to children to be loved. The Toy Maker is shocked!
Tickets to The Toys Take Over Christmas are $8, or $6 for groups of 10 or more. A Toys activity page, available for
teachers and group leaders, offers suggestions for further reading and fun and entertaining classroom activities. For more
information or to make a reservation, please call the Box Office at 713-527-0123. Window Hours are 10:30am - 6:30pm
Monday through Saturday, and 12:00pm - 5:00pm on Sunday.
Sunny discovers the Toy Maker's secret when she looks into an old trunk and finds a jar of hearts. This is why the toys can't be loved! They
have no hearts! Sunny passes the hearts out to everyone in the shop but Colette the French Clown and the Toy Maker refuse.
EARLYSTAGES: THE TOYS TAKE OVER CHRISTMAS
DIRECTOR: CHESLEY KROHN
A surprise visit from Santa Claus and the Christmas Fairy convince the Toy Maker to have a heart - and he is overcome with joy! Colette
decides to try a heart, too, and together she and the Toy Maker lead the entire toy shop in a festive dance. Fron now on, the Toy Maker will
give his toys to children so that they all may know the joys of love and kindness, all year round!
CAST
TOYMAKER…………..Jeffrey Yaworski
SUNNY………………...Melanie Ruche
COLETTE………………La Toya Patterson
CAPTAIN………………Kory Kilgore
FASHION DOLL……….Maria Xiques
SOLDIER # 1…………...Jonathan Welch
Old Woman / Shopper / Christmas Fairy……….Rachel Hemphill Dickson
Surprise Visitor…………Alan Hall
DATES: Saturday November 23 through Tuesday December 24, 2002
TICKETS:
Single Tickets: $8 each
Groups of 10 or more: $6 each, with one free ticket for every 10 purchased.
BOX OFFICE: 713-527-0123
3201 Allen Parkway at Waugh Drive
Tickets available online at www.stagestheatre.com
CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE "TOYS TAKE
OVER CHRISTMAS" COLORING CONTEST
After the Premiere of The Toys Take Over Christmas, EarlyStages gave us a Christmas Party where we got to meet the Cast of the Show....
Theatre friends little Ania and her mom, Angelica taste the delicious cookies and fruit drinks at the party.
Ania and her mom, Angelica meet Sunny, the Raggedy Ann Doll (Melanie Ruche)
There were plenty of activities for all the children that saw the play at the party.
And more activities for the kids after the show.
The Fashion Doll (Maria Xiques) and Sunny, the Raggedy Ann Doll (Melanie Ruche) sign autographs after the show.
The Fashion Doll (Maria Xiques) signs an autograph for little Ania and her mom, Angelica during the party.
Oh No! Little Ania is scared of the Toy Soldier....
Colette, the Clown Doll (La Toya Patterson) and the Toy Soldier pose for a photo-op
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!