Write a commentDecember will be an exciting month for The Oswego Children’s Theater as they present a stage version of the classic children's The Velveteen Rabbit written by Margery Williams.
The Velveteen Rabbit is a wonderful fantasy about a little boy who receives stuffed rabbit in his Christmas stocking. That night the boy's Nana gives the rabbit to the boy, to sleep with. Little does the boy know that when he falls asleep each night all of his toys come alive during a magical period known as “Toy Time.” It is during “Toy Time” that Velveteen Rabbit meets The Skin Horse, the wisest and oldest toy in the nursery, who tells the Rabbit of the possibility of toys becoming real due through the love of a child.
The rabbit becomes the boy's favorite toy, enjoying picnics with him in the spring, and the boy regards the rabbit as 'REAL'. Time passes, and the rabbit becomes shabbier, but happy. He meets some real rabbits in the summer, and when they learn that he cannot hop as they do, and say that he is not REAL. One day, the boy becomes sick with scarlet fever and the rabbit sits with him as he recovers. The doctor orders that the boy should be taken to the seaside, and that his room should be disinfected, and all his toys burnt - including the velveteen rabbit.
The rabbit is left out overnight on the trash heap, where he sadly reflects on his life with his boy. When suddenly a magic fairy appears. She says that because he is old and shabby and REAL, she will “turn him into REAL rabbit" The velveteen rabbit changes into a REAL rabbit, and joins the other rabbits in the forest. The next spring, the rabbit returns to look at the boy, and the boy sees a resemblance to his old velveteen rabbit.
The show features an ensemble cast of area youth, including Mary Buske, as the Narrator, Brannigan Paye-Walker, as Nana, Donavin Powless, as the Boy, Alexandra Reith, as the Velveteen Rabbit, Evan Roddy as the Skin Horse Bethany Sanford, as the Toy Soldier, Nolan Conners, as the Ball, Audrey Donavan, as the Dancer, Ethan Cliff, as the Toy Boat, Olivia Garafolo, as Jack in the Box 1, Cloey Walker, as Jack in the Box 2, and Katy Knighton, as a Chatty Cathy Doll.
The Velveteen Rabbit will be presented by a team of directors including Wayne Mosher along with new directors Gary Smith assisted by Tom Nunez and Kelly Mosher. Kelly and Gary will serve as Costume Designers, Wayne Mosher as Technical Director, and Caroline Gray will serve as Stage Manager.
“The Velveteen Rabbit” will be presented on Fridays December 11th and December 18th at 7:30 PM and Saturday December 19th also at 7:30 PM Saturday December 12th at 1:00 PM and Sundays December 13 and December 20 at 2:00 PM. The show will be performed at the performance space at The First Congregational Church of New Haven located between Oswego and Mexico on Route 104 East. For reservations call 342-5265 or 529-1009.
“The Velveteen Rabbit” was adapted for stage by John Stevens. The show is produced by special arrangement with Eldridge Publishing.
