Theatrikos presents ‘The Man Who Saved Christmas’: A true story of toys, tenacity and holiday hope in WWI
Published: 11 December 2025
By Ash Lohmann
via the Arizona Daily Sun newspaper (AZ) website
The Man Who Saved Christmas header
Cast members perform a lively scene from Theatrikos’ holiday production, “The Man Who Saved Christmas.” (Motion Olson, courtesy of Theatrikos)
This winter, Theatrikos Theatre Company will present a heartwarming holiday musical based on a true World War I story. Running now through Dec. 21, “The Man Who Saved Christmas,” written by Ron Lytle and directed by Joe Maniglia, has something for everyone to enjoy.
Set in 1917, this WWI story follows real-life A.C. Gilbert, a Connecticut inventor and olympic athlete who is also a toy manufacturer. After Congress votes to cancel toy manufacturing in order to more effectively produce materials for the war effort, Gilbert decides to stand up to Congress himself and becomes “The Man Who Saved Christmas.”
Actors bring the 1917-inspired story to the stage in this heartwarming seasonal musical.
Motion Olson, courtesy of Theatrikos
“He doesn’t feel that it’s fair to the children, and he comes from a good place in his heart, so he’s going to talk to Congress,” Maniglia explained. “He goes to Washington and changes their minds and comes back and saves Christmas.”
The story has comedy, a “will they, won’t they” romance, music and all the warm, fuzzy, nostalgic holiday feelings wrapped into one performance.
“The Man Who Saved Christmas” is also surprisingly patriotic, in a wholesome way, Maniglia said — a way that only adds to the warm-hearted nature of the holiday story.
Maniglia and Theatrikos Marketing Director Motion Olson said that “The Man Who Saved Christmas” is a show that folks can bring their kids or grandparents to — a true family production. However, it’s not only appealing from a family-friendly standpoint. The show can be enjoyed by anybody, including young couples out on a date night.
The holiday production runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. this month.
Motion Olson, courtesy of Theatrikos
“There’s nothing in it that I can think of that people would find objectionable,” Olson said. “I don’t think there’s anyone who wouldn’t like it — unless you’re a Scrooge.”
This play was selected by Theatrikos as its holiday performance for several reasons, and its wholesome appeal was certainly one of them. However “The Man Who Saved Christmas” was especially appealing to Maniglia, Olson and their peers because it was relatively unknown.
“We just came off of doing ‘Elf’ which everyone has heard of, and was a huge success,” Olson said.
But “The Man Who Saved Christmas” brings something fresh to the table, while still embodying that holiday nostalgia that is so lovable without being over-the-top cheesy.
Those at Theatrikos were quickly won over by the story. Maniglia explained that “The Man Who Saved Christmas” is through and through a great tale that embodies everything their team was searching for in a holiday show.
“It’s like a throwback to when I grew up,” Maniglia said. “It harkens back to those kind of screwball comedies of the ‘30s. You know, the ones where they’re fighting the injustice of some cause … and because a bunch of kids got involved, there’s high jinks and hilarity.”
⇒ Read the entire article on the Arizona Daily Sun website.
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