by [rate 4]
From the Box
It’s 1880’s London, and Cavis Appythart and Millward Phelps (Bob and Larry) are putting the finishing touches on their first Christmas musical — “The Princess and the Plumber.” Filled with spectacle and more electric lights than London has ever seen, Cavis is convinced his impressive show will “teach London to love!” Unfortunately, a church Christmas pageant staged by little Edmund Gilbert (Junior Asparagus) is opening the same night, right down the street, and features the “Star of Christmas” — a priceless artifact that hasn’t been seen in 80 years! Just how far will Cavis go to make sure his show opens on top?
Find out in this hilarious, action-packed adventure which teaches that it’s the true story of God’s love that shows us how to love one another– at Christmas time and throughout the year!
The Show
This is definitely the show that the VeggieTales writers wanted to do for Christmas. It’s the prequel to an Easter Carol, for reasons that will become obvious.
In the beginning we see Bob and Larry (with the help of Pa Grape) going to make a big show to teach London to Love. But in order to be big enough to attract a star actress and get the Crown Prince to come see it, they will have a gimmick– electric lights on the scenery.
As they are arranging for this big production, Cavis gets word that a local church will be showing a “Star of Christmas” and accidentally spills this information to Archibald Asparagus who is playing the part of the newspaper man. When word of this leaks out, the Crown Prince backs out of coming, and so Bob tries to make his production bigger by putting lights on the costumes.
When this doesn’t work, Bob decides that he and Larry must steal the star, but they get the wrong relic– stealing the Turtle of Damascus. They then run the dress rehearsal, but the lights on the stage catch fire and burn down Uncle Nezzar’s theater.
It isn’t until they are thrown into prison with a robber that the realize that they had it all wrong. In what is probably one of the best explanations of what the world thinks of love and what God thinks of love, the prisoner tells Cavis and Millwood that everyone loves those that love them or if it’s convenient for them– it’s loving unconditionally that’s true love (all the while Larry’s playing the “What we have learned” song on his harmonica).
Edmund and Rev. Gilbert show up and free Cavis and Millwood, who then try to make the pageant all the way across town using Pa Grape’s car with rockets. That’s a ride you have to see to believe. In the end, Cavis and Millwood return with presents and cookies for the prisoner after learning that God’s gift to us– His Son– came while we were enemies with him.
It ends with Lisa Vischer singing a great rendition of O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
