Audiences are invited to take a Christmas trip to Toyland in this weekend's play by Moscow Community Theatre.

The show, "Babes in Toyland," dates back to 1903, said Troy Sprenke, director and Moscow resident. The plot itself was rewritten in 1984, but all of the original music was maintained. "It is an old-fashioned melodrama," she said.

In the play, an evil villain named Barnaby threatens to interfere with life in the mystical Toyland. Two children help nursery rhyme characters, such as toy soldiers, Mary Contrary, Bo Peep and Tom-Tom, save their home.

The villian in the production is played by WSU alumnus Alan Peery, Sprenke said.

The play is a full-length production, she said. It runs about two hours in length with an intermission, so she said each family should take that into consideration when deciding whether to bring their younger children.

While the show is aimed at families, everyone will enjoy it, Sprenke said. "Some adults came and appreciate it, even without younger members of their families," Sprenke said. "We have had kids as young as 2."

Sprenke said there was also a fight sequence that appeals to younger audiences.

"It has something for everybody," Sprenke said. "There is dancing and ballerinas – it's funny, and there is a scary part."

The play involves about 30 people from the Moscow and Pullman communities, Sprenke said.

Sprenke said her favorite part of the production is watching all of the actors work on the pieces.

"It is a complicated show," she said. "There are 16 musical numbers."

The songs are played at a higher tempo than when they were first written, Sprenke said. All of the music comes together to make a great show, she said.

"It is a holiday extravaganza," Sprenke said. "An afternoon or evening of entertainment."

Productions are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. All shows are in the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre in Moscow, at 508 S. Main St.