''The Star of Christmas'' is a 2002 American

computer-animated Computer animation is the process used for digitally generating animations. The more general term computer-generated imagery (CGI) encompasses both static scenes ( still images) and dynamic images (moving images), while computer animation refe ...

film and is the fourteenth episode of the ''

VeggieTales ''VeggieTales'' is an American Christian media, computer generated musical children's animation, and book franchise created by Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki under Big Idea Entertainment. The series sees fruit and vegetable characters retelling ...

'' animated series and the second

holiday A holiday is a day set aside by custom or by law on which normal activities, especially business or work including school, are suspended or reduced. Generally, holidays are intended to allow individuals to celebrate or commemorate an event or tra ...

special in that series. It was released on October 26, 2002 and re-released on September 5, 2006 in ''Holiday Double Feature'' with its earlier episode

The Toy that Saved Christmas This is a list of VHS and DVD releases of the animated children's television series ''VeggieTales''. Videos Original videos (1993–2015) Theatrical films Compilation videos Collections # ''Lessons From The Sock Drawer'' ...

. Like the other holiday episodes, it has no usual ”A Lesson in...” subtitle and the countertops. The film’s message is that the true Star of Christmas is not so much something as it is someone: Jesus Christ the Son of God. The film teaches that the story of His birth is the ultimate reflection of true love, and likewise should be the inspiration for how we love others. The story of ''The Star of Christmas'' centers on two would-be operatic composers who are based on

W. S. Gilbert Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (18 November 1836 – 29 May 1911) was an English dramatist, librettist, poet and illustrator best known for his collaboration with composer Arthur Sullivan, which produced fourteen comic operas. The most f ...

and

Arthur Sullivan Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan (13 May 1842 – 22 November 1900) was an English composer. He is best known for 14 comic opera, operatic Gilbert and Sullivan, collaborations with the dramatist W. S. Gilbert, including ''H.M.S. Pinaf ...

. ''VeggieTales'' has spoofed

Gilbert and Sullivan Gilbert and Sullivan was a Victorian era, Victorian-era theatrical partnership of the dramatist W. S. Gilbert (1836–1911) and the composer Arthur Sullivan (1842–1900), who jointly created fourteen comic operas between 1871 and 1896, of which ...

's work in ''

Lyle the Kindly Viking This is a list of VHS and DVD releases of the animated children's television series ''VeggieTales''. Videos Original videos (1993–2015) Theatrical films Compilation videos Collections # ''Lessons From The Sock Drawer'' ...

'' and (specifically ''

The Mikado ''The Mikado; or, The Town of Titipu'' is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert, their ninth of fourteen Gilbert and Sullivan, operatic collaborations. It opened on 14 March 1885, in London, whe ...

'') in ''

Sumo of the Opera This is a list of VHS and DVD releases of the animated children's television series ''VeggieTales''. Videos Original videos (1993–2015) Theatrical films Compilation videos Collections # ''Lessons From The Sock Drawer'' ...

''. In this episode however they spoof the people, Gilbert and Sullivan, themselves. The film was nominated for an

Annie Award The Annie Awards are accolades which the Los Angeles branch of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA-Hollywood, has presented each year since 1972 to recognize excellence in animation shown in cinema and television. Originally desi ...

in 2002 in the category of ''Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Home Video Production'', but lost to '' Rolie Polie Olie: The Great Defender of Fun''.

Plot

Cavis Appythart (Bob the Tomato) and Millward Phelps (Larry the Cucumber) are jingle writers who want to make their big break in

musical theatre Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movemen ...

. Millward is content with small time fame, however Cavis wishes to use their fame to create a difference in London, through a grand musical. The opportunity arises when Millward's Uncle Nezzer allows them to use his theatre. They plan a production entitled "The Princess and the Plumber." Seymour Schwenk, their friend and inventor, delivers a box of light bulbs. Cavis believes that if their production is glitzy and bright, then it will be a bigger hit and reach more people. He plans to integrate the lights into the scenery and costumes Cavis and Millward must convince Constance Effie, a famous actor to star within their show. They must also convince Prince Calvin Fredrick to attend the premier. Whilst Calvin and his assistant work on another show, Millward struggles to complete the script. Everything begins to come together for Cavis, who now feels confident in their production. After noticing a flyer for a Christmas pageant planned to debut on the same night at a local church, Cavis goes to investigate. He observes Edmund Gilbert preparing a children's play featuring an object called the "Star of Christmas". Wondering aloud about this as he leaves the church, Cavis is overheard by Arthur Hollingshead. Arthur, a historian, reveals that the Star of Christmas is an ancient relic not been seen by the public in 79 years. He rushes off with great excitement to report the news, which promptly makes the front page headline the following morning. Faced with the prospect of losing their audience to the pageant, Cavis vows to make their own production greater and flashier. But they cannot compete with the Star of Christmas, and in desperation Cavis and Millward go to the church to steal the Star. They narrowly escape the aged "Moyer the Destroyer" who guards the relic. With the Star and flashy lights, Cavis is certain "The Princess and the Plumber" is now a guaranteed success, but during dress rehearsal, the excessive amount of lights ignite the curtains. In minutes the theater goes up in flames and with it the Star of Christmas. An officer named Dwiglight Howarde arrives with Moyer McGonnigal, and arrests Cavis and Millward. In the jail, they meet a scallion prisoner, Charles Pincher, who laughs at their efforts to spread love by means of an elaborate stage production. He claims real love does not expect fame or wealth in return— real love makes sacrifices to help others without expectation of personal gain. That kind of love, he says, is extremely rare. Edmund and his father, Reverend, arrive at the jail to release Cavis and Millward. They have chosen not to press charges for the theft of the Star. Cavis is moved, and he expresses his desire to attend the pageant, but the pageant starts in ten minutes and there is not enough time to get there. Just then, Seymour shows up in the rocket car, trusting Millward to drive the vehicle and get them all to the church on time. It is a harrowing ride fraught with collisions and near-misses, but they do arrive just as the pageant is about to start. The pageant goes on with the Prince and Miss Pickering in attendance. Cavis finally learns Christmas is not about glitz and grand productions; he understands it is about Jesus. After the play, Millward’s Uncle Nezzer arrives revealing he heard about what happened to the theater, and hires the two to work at his factory to pay it off. Then Moyer shows up and says the real Star of Christmas is actually safe, and they had taken the Turtle of Damascus, which most people consider a hoax. The episode ends with Cavis and Millward taking cookies and a gift to Charles Pincher in jail.

Production

The studio was on a tight schedule in early Christmas 2001 to get the film done. Then, the air condition was left on, and a heat wave never hit Big Idea. Most people slept in their offices trying to get ''The Star of Christmas'' finished. Towards the end/before it wrapped,

Mike Nawrocki Michael Lewis Nawrocki (born July 8, 1966) is an American director, animator, writer, lyricist, and voice actor best known as the co-creator of the long-running, Christian video series, ''VeggieTales'' where he voiced Larry the Cucumber. He voic ...

was said he would be on his Sunday drive around the time of New Year's Eve. They were at a cafe, the same cafe they used for the premiere of "Larryboy and the Rumor Weed". There was Lisa Vischer singing "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" during the "Star of Christmas" premier.

Cast of Characters

Phil Vischer Phillip Roger Vischer (born June 16, 1966) is an American filmmaker, author, speaker, podcast host, animator, musician, puppeteer, and voice actor who created the computer-animated video series ''VeggieTales'' alongside Mike Nawrocki. He provide ...

as Cavis Appythart (Bob the Tomato), Seymour Schwenk (Pa Grape), Jeffrey (Jimmy Gourd), Prince Fredrick (Mr. Lunt), Ebenezer Nezzer, Arthur Hollingshead (Archibald Asparagus), Benny (Percy Pea), Phillipe Pea, Frairie Peas and Cast Members *

as Millward Phelps (Larry the Cucumber), Winston (Jean-Claude Pea), Dwiglight Howarde (Jerry Gourd), Frairie Peas, Stranger Pea and Cast Members * Jacquelyn Ritz as Effie Pickering (Madame Blueberry) and Mary (Laura Carrot) * Lisa Vischer as Edmund Gilbert (Junior Asparagus) * Dan Anderson as Reverend Gilbert (Dad Asparagus) * Jim Poole as Moyer McGonnigal (Scooter Carrot) *

Tim Hodge Timothy Hodge (born April 2, 1963) is an American voice actor, story artist, writer, animator, comedian, and director at Big Idea Entertainment in Nashville, Tennessee, where he has works on the ''VeggieTales'' videos as well as other animated ...

as Charlie Pincher * Shelby Vischer as Abigail (Annie) * Matthew Hodge as Wiseman Pea * Josh Vulcano as Angel Pea * Mike Sage as Tradesman (Scallion #3) Walla Group: Ian Anderson, Adam Frick, Tim Hodge, Laura Richy, Aimee Dupriest, Peggy Heinrichsen, Julea Love and Jesse Tewson

Songs

Due to the format of the show, this episode does ''not'' contain the usual "What We Have Learned" or "VeggieTales Theme". It does contain five original (short) compositions and one Christmas traditional: * "First Big Break", sung by Cavis Appythart * "We Are the Frarie Peas", sung by the Frarie Peas * "Plumber, You Dropped Your Possum", sung by Millward Phelps * "Flushing in Vain", sung by Miss Constance Effie Pickering and the Plumber * "Plugged Up Love", sung by Miss Constance Effie Pickering, the Plumber, and the Frarie Peas * " O Come, O Come, Emmanuel", sung by Lisa Vischer over the closing credits

References

* http://christiananswers.net/spotlight/movies/2002/thestarofchristmas.html

External links