A TIGGLEMEISTER CHRISTMAS

PANIC! PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW HOLIDAY MUSICAL

             Panic! Productions, Ventura County’s newest theatre company, begins its second season with the world premiere of a new holiday musical for the whole family. A Tigglemeister Christmas will run December 1 through 16, at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts in Thousand Oaks.

            Originally conceived as an animated television special, but never produced, A Tigglemeister Christmas has music, book, and lyrics by Renee Carly and Rye Randa. The Panic! Production team, led by director Tamarah Ashton-Coombs, has re-imagined the story for the stage, incorporating many of the creators’ original visual concepts, including the special character designs of Hollywood make-up artist Wesley O’Neil.

            This musical storybook is about Santa’s best toymaker, Sniggle Tigglemeister, who left the North Pole long ago, though no one seems to know why. With Christmas fast approaching, Santa’s toy supply is coming up short, so he sends a telegram to Sniggle begging him to return. But someone at the North Pole doesn’t want Sniggle back. As the entire quirky Tigglemeister clan makes its way north, head toymaker Hans Grumpleheimer will stop at nothing to lead them astray.

            A Tigglemeister Christmas features a cast of twenty-one, ranging in age from 8 to 60-plus, playing an array of comic characters. Choreography is by Mona King and the orchestra will be led by Susan T. Calkins. The show is based on the children’s book, The Tigglemeisters, by Wesley O'Neil, Matt Escobar, Kellie Randa and Rye Randa.

            “It is very exciting to have the opportunity to present the first ever performances of a new musical,” says Panic! Productions company founder Paul Panico. “A Tigglemeister Christmas is a charming, classic holiday story that we hope will become a seasonal favorite for us and other theatre companies.”

            A Tigglemeister Christmas opens Saturday, December 1, at 1 pm and continues through December 16. There will be two matinee performances each day, Saturdays and Sundays at 1 pm and 4 pm. All tickets are $10 and are available at www.hillcrestarts.com, by calling 805/381-1246, or by visiting the box office. The Hillcrest Center for the Arts is at 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.