''The Gingerbread Man'' is a

musical Musical is the adjective of music. Musical may also refer to: * Musical theatre, a performance art that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance * Musical film and television, a genre of film and television that incorporates into the narr ...

in two acts with music by

A. Baldwin Sloane Alfred Baldwin Sloane (28 August 1872, Baltimore – 21 February 1925, Red Bank, New Jersey) was an American composer, considered the most prolific songwriter for Broadway musical comedies at the beginning of the 20th century. His scores were first ...

and both book and lyrics by

Frederic Ranken Frederic G. Ranken (c. 1869 — October 19, 1905, Manhattan) was an American librettist, lyricist, and playwright for light operas and musical theatre, musicals staged on Broadway theatre, Broadway from 1899 through 1907. His greatest success was t ...

. Described by the creators as a "Fanciful Fairyesque", the work was essentially a Christmas musical with

Santa Claus Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a Legend, legendary figure originating in Western Christianity, Western Christian culture who is said to Christmas gift-bringer, bring ...

and

Mrs. Claus Mrs. Claus (also known as Mrs. Santa Claus or Mrs. Santa) is the legendary wife of Santa Claus, the Christmas gift-bringer in Western Christmas tradition. She is known for making cookies with the elves, caring for the reindeer, and preparing toy ...

serving as the heroes of the piece.

Plot

The King of Bon Bon Land, a.k.a. The Gingerbread Man, has been turned into gingerbread by the evil sorcerer Machevelius Fudge and lives in fear of being eaten. Santa Claus and his reindeer arrive to come to his aid. Further misadventures ensue when he is faced by a fiery dragon. All comes to a happy ending when Mrs. Claus arrives to save the day.

Performance history

''The Gingerbread Man'' premiered on Broadway at the Liberty Theatre on Christmas Day 1905.Bordman & Norton, p. 253 It ran at that theatre for a total of sixteen performances; closing on January 6, 1906.Dietz, p. 331-332 That same production returned to Broadway for sixteen further performances at the New York Theatre from May 14, 1906 - May 26, 1906. It also toured nationally for performances during the holiday season in 1906–1907. The production was directed by

Louis F. Gottschalk Louis Ferdinand Gottschalk (October 7, 1864 – July 15, 1934) was an American composer and conductor born in St. Louis, Missouri. The son of a Missouri governor, also named Louis, he studied music in Stuttgart, Germany, where his father, a judg ...

and Charles Sinclair, and produced by Harry E. Converse and Mason Peters. The sets were designed by

Ernest Albert Ernest Albert, born Ernest Albert Brown, (August 15, 1857 – March 25, 1946) was an American painter, illustrator, muralist, and scenic designer. He was a prolific scenic designer, first in St. Louis and Chicago and then on Broadway. He is conside ...

, and the costumes by Archie Gunn, Will R. Barnes and J. Hegeman.Bloom, p. 562 ''The Gingerbread Man'' starred Eddie Redway in the title role.

References

Bibliography

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Gingerbread Man, The 1905 musicals Broadway musicals Christmas musicals Musicals by Alfred Baldwin Sloane Musicals by Frederic Ranken Santa Claus in fiction