Babes in Toyland

Glen MacDonough (1870-1924) was an American journalist, lyricist, and librettist. Born in Brooklyn, MacDonough was raised in a theatrical family-his father, Thomas B. MacDonough, was a theater manager, while his mother, Laura Don, was an actress and playwright. MacDonough got his start as a features reporter in New York City before finding moderate success with his comedy The Prodigal Father (1892). He gained a reputation as a lyricist for his work on the operetta Chris and the Wonderful Lamp (1899), which included music by famed composer John Philip Sousa. After working on the first musical production of The Wizard of Oz (1902), he found his break as the librettist for Victor Herbert's beloved operetta Babes in Toyland (1903). He continued to work as a writer throughout his life and in 1914 became a founding member of ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.