(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC) presents The Christmas Caper from December 1-3 and December 8-9, 2023. Written and composed by MaryAnn DiMaria and Nick Picciallo, The Christmas Caper is a two-act ninety-minute seasonal fantasy saga of Santa's stolen sleigh.

A terribly despondent Santa announces that no toys can be delivered to all the children because his transportation has been maliciously ripped off by terrible villains; the vicious Count Evo, his three goofy sidekicks, Patch, Itch and Maxie. Gloom replaces glee in Santa’s workshop until Sparky the elf calls on Thorndike, the magical, mystical pet dog of the Snow Queen of The North Pole. This oversized pooch helps the elves and Mrs. Claus retrieve the missing sleigh before the evil crooks can use it to kidnap all the children of the world, turn the~ into “popsickies”, and feed them to the dreaded Snow Monster.

The story unravels energetically through song and dance adventures which include high-stepping elves and ragdolls, a sweet, sad song, “Little One”, and Thorndike’s promise, “You Can Really Count on Me,” highlighted by a bell chorus, until the elves and Mrs. Claus courageously set out for the villains ice cave in the treacherous Snow Shadow Valley. Mrs. Claus and the elves, no match for Count Evos cunning, are captured at the ice cave by the thieves and held for ransom under the threat of being turned into “popsickies” for the Snow Monsters supper.

Just when all seems doomed, the day is saved by the glittery, dazzling arrival of the beautiful and gracious Snow Queen of the North Pole, her pet dog, Thorndike, and her entourage of children who perform a lovely ballet. The Snow Queen promptly teaches the thieves the true meaning of Christmas, “Christmas is Love” and magically transforms them into “good-doers” who will help her spread goodwill throughout the world. The sleigh is returned to an ecstatic Santa just in time for his Christmas Eve travels, and the show ends in a happy flurry of music and exclamations of “Merry Christmas!”

Performances take place Friday, December 1 at 7:30pm; Saturday, December 2 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm; Sunday, December 3 at 2:00pm; Friday, December 8 at 7:30pm; and Saturday, December 9 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm. Tickets are available for purchase online. Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC) is located at 102 State Street in Hackensack, New Jersey.