~ "Into the wonderfully enchanted world of Halloweentown, set on the edge of reality, where your nightmares and dreams live in joyful celebration of the dark and morbid, but in a perpetually playful rapport. Twwo holidays collide by the curiosity of Jack Skellington, The Pumpkin King, who grows weary of the redundancy of his role, although he always manages to invent something scarier each Halloween than the previous year's. Amidst a fanfare of admirers singing the wonderfully evocative and enchanting "This Is Halloween". He arises to take his seat as the fearful Lord of Samhain unto a cavalcade of vampires, werewolves, witches, zombies skeletons, swamp creatures, devils, ghosts, and miscellanious beings, who all herald him as their leader. His depression leads him to explore the unknown in an enchanted forest, where he discovers trees which are essentially doors into the differing holidays' worlds he finds Christmas Town, and remains fascinated by all the shiny baubles and quaint customs until he finally sees the shadow of Santa "Claws", which intrigues him even more. He tells the residents of his adventures, describing SC as a huge being with "bulging sacks and big great arms" who "sets to slay with his reindeer on", and introduces the novel idea of celebrating Christmas in Halloweentown, at which the residents are enthusiastic, but keeping to their natures, transform it into a nightmare of sorts, replicating the traditions with Halloween prankery.

Jack sets out to BECOME Santa Claws for a year, delivering the nefarious gifts to unsuspecting commoners, who receive quite a fright when their presents begin chasing them and eating up their homes. Just splendid. Finally, the military becomes alerted, and he is shot out of the sky, landing in a graveyard, where he focuses himself and becomes determined to "set things right". Underlying all of this, there is a romantic element between Jack and Sally, a pretty zombie-like character, reminiscent of a sexy bride of Frankentein-type without the electric-shock hair, who aids Jack throughout the whole tale. In one poignant moment, as she ponders the wonder of the xmas tree, it erupts into flames, which serves as an omen fortelling of impending doom; she tries to warn Jack against venturing forth as St. Nick, but his determination grabbed the best of him.

Santa is kidnapped by "Lock, Shock, & Barrel", the three trick or treating underlings of "Mr. Oogie Boogie", and in one instance, actually accidentally bunny-nap the Easter Bunny! Eventually, Jack confronts Oogie Boogie in his lambent Lair which appears to be a Hellish Casino, until distracted by the curvy leg of Sally. Santa is scheduled to be chopped up into so much xmas mulch, until rescued by the heroic efforts of Jack. Finally, Santa is released, and Christmas is saved thanks to The Pumpkin King.

The musick in this production is scored by Danny Elfman, Satanic Composer Extraordinnaire, is most excellent, incorperating many of the characters from Halloween legend, most wonderfully achieved. The puppetry is remarkable, and lends an evocation towards older productions from the 40's through to the 60's in which one might expect Bing Crosby to be crooning; this certainly is a welcomed utilization of a past orthodoxy. Most highly recommended for Infernal Progeny - quite an alternative to the charming, yet redundant productions usually available in the Yuletide season.

The "Moral of the story"? Do not attempt to be something you are not."