A FULL LENGTH MAIN-STAGE PRESENTATION!

 

EBCT’s 90th historic season comes to a close with a special production you will NOT want to miss!

 

Spend the holidays with us in Castro Valley as East Bay Children's Theatre and Chanticleers Theatre present our co-production of the award-winning holiday musical The Man Who Saved Christmas! 

 

This very merry hit returns to the Bay Area for the first time in more than a decade, after enjoying productions from  coast to coast throughout the United States, in Canada and England, and after seeing the recording the successful studio cast album.  Our production will be directed by the show’s creator, Ron Lytle (Christmas in OZ).

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The Man Who Saved Christmas is loosely based on the true story of toy maker A.C. Gilbert (the inventor of The Erector Set.)  Set in 1917, as America is embroiled in the first World War, this 'new old-fashioned’ crowd-pleaser focuses on Gilbert's battle with the U.S. government as it attempts to ban toy sales during the holiday season. Added to the mix: A secretary who keeps her heart on ice and a visiting reporter determined to thaw it out; the nefarious Iago of the toy factory, Mister Dixon; Gilbert's loving wife Mary; and the Gilberts' precocious niece Ellen, who untangles the myriad complications in which the young lovers--and the Toy Tycoon--find themselves.

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Suitable for the entire family, this is the perfect antidote for those saying "Bah humbug!" to one more production of "A Christmas Carol" or for those driven nuts by the annual "Nutcracker"!

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The Man Who Saved Christmas plays three weeks only: December 1-17!

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Tickets on sale soon.  Sign up for our Mailing List to be alerted!

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MEET THE CAST!

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A.C. Gilbert........MICHAEL SALLY

Mary Gilbert.......TOREY BOOKSTEIN

Johnny Eli..........CHRISTOPHER CROSBY CRUZ

Alice Finch..........MAKENA MUELLER

Dixon.................MICHAEL VETROVEC

Ellen..................CARA IMPALLOMENI

DADDY...............CJ STICKLAND

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Ensemble: ANTONIO CERVANTES, KELLY CROCKER, LYDIA CROCKER, ASHLEIGH JOHNSON, BENJAMIN HOANG NGUYEN, EMME MAHAR, KENNY SILBERBERG, CADENCE SMYTHE

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Kids Ensemble: MATHILDA BABCOCK, VIVIAN CROCKER, SERENA SWEAT, CONNOR TAYLOR, ANGELLO VELIZ VASQUEZ, KAYLY VELIZ VASQUEZ

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BUT WAIT!  THERE'S MORE!

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Can't get enough of our Magical Movie Musical, ONCE UPON A TIME STEP?  Well now you can own the original soundtrack!  EBCT's dynamic and fun-filled musical theatre revue features songs from our most popular shows, including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, That’s Our Snow White, Aladdin and the Lamp, and many more! 

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The score (winner of the national Mom’s Choice Award) features music and lyrics by veteran musical theatre composer (and EBCT Resident Playwright and Composer) Ron Lytle.

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The soundtrack album is available on Amazon or directly from the Composer (autographed upon request) and features an additional 8 songs not included in the movie! (Don't have a CD player?  Did you know that CDs can be played in DVD and BluRay players, too?  It's true!)  Download version also available.

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TIME STEP gets 5-Stars on TributeMovies.com!

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★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Perfect length for kids, great fun for adults. Great songs!”

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Exceptional!”

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Wonderful! SO much fun to watch, and the music is so clever and memorable. Fantastic for families.”

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“A joy from start to finish! A delightful gem, perfect for the whole family.”

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Truly magical and absolutely perfect for my 6 and 8-year old granddaughters!! Highly recommend!”

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“The lyrics are delightful for children and, oh, so clever for adults. “

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Great fun for all ages! I thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful music and clever, memorable lyrics! So refreshing in today’s world!”