Holiday traditions are often what make the season come alive. The Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council is spearheading the move to bring a beloved holiday tradition of yesteryear back to the spotlight this December.

Plans are being made now for “The Roxy’s Legend of Toyland.”

The musical extravaganza set to take the stage is a reincarnation of “The Legend of Toyland” production that took the stage at Northwest-Shoals Community College for three decades. Playwright Lanny McAlister retired the show after the 2011 performance – but when Hillary Hall and Chase Sparks approached him about doing a rewrite of the show for the Historic Roxy Theatre, they said he readily agreed.

“We went to him and asked him if we could do it as a fundraiser for the Roxy, and he agreed to do so,” Sparks said.

“It’s been something everyone has wanted for years,” Hall added.

Lanny McAlister’s “The Roxy’s Legend of Toyland” is set to take the Roxy stage in downtown Russellville Nov. 29 through Dec. 3, with ten showings planned, including several performances set aside for schools.

“We are going to be having auditions Friday, Sept. 8, and Saturday, Sept. 9,” Hall said. The cast will be made up of about two dozen people who will play multiple roles. The rewritten show will incorporate new characters and a new storyline, redesigned to fit the Roxy’s smaller stage, as compared to the NW-SCC gymnasium.

The show, Hall said, “gives you the opportunity to feel like you’re a child again.”

“It’s like you’re entering a Christmas world, and all these toys are coming to life, kind of like in the ‘Nutcracker’ – it’s like it’s in a dream,” Sparks added. “It’s very intricate.”

Hall and Sparks will serve as assistant directors and will coordinate all logistics for the production. It’s something they have been working on ever since December 2016. Over the weekend they began gathering props and supplies to start building sets.

“I think all the shows will sell out,” Hall said. The Roxy will seat just less than 600 theatre-goers. “I’m afraid it’s going to be sold out pretty quick every time,” Sparks added.

Ticket prices have not yet been set but will be soon. Ticket sales will likely be general admission at the door only, with no advanced sales. “We have to know how many are coming in the door,” Sparks said. School groups will be able to reserve spots in advance for the school-dedicated shows on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve booking for schools will open soon; that date will be announced.

The FCAHC is currently seeking sponsors for the production, with sponsorship levels ranging from “Tinsel” ($25) all the way up to “Santa Claus” ($2,500). Deadline for inclusion is Aug. 1; payments are due by Sept. 1. For more information contact Susie Hovater Malone, 256-332-3175, or hhmalone@bellsouth.net.

For more information visit The Roxy’s Legend of Toyland on Facebook.