Houston's ACE Theatre To Stage THE MAN WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS 12/4

On December 4th at 8:00pm, ACE Theatre in Houston will do something that no other theatre in Texas has ever done before: They'll raise the curtain on the very-merry musical comedy "The Man Who Saved Christmas."

"I've been thrilled by the response to "The Man Who Saved Christmas!" composer, lyricist and book writer Ron Lytle ("Oh My Godmother!") says from his home in Emeryville, California. "It's great that the show is being performed throughout the country, but I'm especially proud that the Texas premiere is taking place in Houston. It's one of my favorite cities."

The show, billed as "a new old-fashioned musical," is loosely based on the true story of toy tycoon A.C. Gilbert: the inventor of the Erector Set. As Lytle explains, "During World War I, the U.S. Government thought it would be a great idea to ban toy sales during the holiday season. Believe it or not, this was supposed to inspire parents to give War Bonds--instead of toys--to their kids for Christmas! Gilbert eventually traveled to Washington D.C. and argued against this ridiculous plan."

"I can't tell you the result of that now legendary meeting, or I'll spoil the show's finale," Lytle says with a laugh. "But I can tell you that from that day on, A.C. Gilbert was forever known as ‘The Man Who Saved Christmas!"

This toe-tapping musical has won critical raves for its raucous comedy, heart-warming sentiment, and tuneful score (including "All I Want For Christmas" "You And Me" and "No More Love Songs") since debuting in 2006.

Lytle was especially delighted to learn that an old friend of his was playing one of the female leads in the Houston production. "A dear friend of mine played Mae to my Albert in a summer production of "Bye Bye Birdie" in California some years ago--despite the fact that she's only about fifteen minutes older than I am. She couldn't attend the premiere of "The Man" back in 2006 because she'd moved to Texas. Well, now she's playing one of the female leads in the Houston production. ‘Small world,' as the Merm would say."

ACE Theatre presents the Regional Premiere of Ron Lytle's "The Man Who Saved Christmas" December 4-20. For more information and tickets, visit www.acetheatre.org or call 281-587-1020. For more info on the show: www.themanwhosavedchristmas.com