Review of The Velveteen Rabbit & Ticket Giveaway –by Jamie Levine

Because I still cherish fond memories of the classic storybook by Margery Williams, I was excited to take my daughter to see a performance of The Velveteen Rabbit this past weekend at the DR2Kids Theatre in New York City. And just like a favorite stuffed animal from my childhood, this endearing play delighted me—and touched my heart. Performed by just three actors and brought to life with simple props, this play creatively captures the magic of the original story about a stuffed animal that is literally transformed by the power of a young boy’s love.

The production begins with unique prologue, as the three actors speak directly to the audience and explain that they want to put on a play. After they search through the toy chests on the stage for costumes and props, as well as an idea for a play, they discover The Velveteen Rabbit, and shift into performing a rendition of the story. Along the way, their banter offers both child as well as adult appeal, as one character asks, “What is velveteen?” and another responds, “It’s velvet that is still in high school.” Finally, however, they establish that velveteen is “pretend velvet, not real…” as an appropriate segue into the story.

My memory of the classic storybook is one that brings tears to my eyes; this production, while not as emotionally powerful, was rather heartwarming. The intense love between a little boy and his stuffed bunny was nicely portrayed, and seemed to make at least the younger members of the audience smile. This production creatively employs low-budget props, such as pinwheels stuck in flowerpots to symbolize springtime flowers and plastic spray bottles squirted in the air to emulate rain. The small cast of characters effortlessly jumps in and out of costumes and characters; at one point the boy’s nanny hangs a coat and hat on a stand and puts her arm through one sleeve and performs an entire scene as both the nanny and the doctor (represented by the hat and jacket) who is treating the boy for scarlet fever.

When the boy’s beloved velveteen rabbit is brought outside to be destroyed after its exposure to scarlet fever, the moment is tense—but not enough to upset the younger audience members; this show is definitely geared toward the younger set, and lasts just under one hour. And youngsters will be delighted when the rabbit discovers she has hind legs, and realizes that what she’s been told is true: “When a child loves you, you become real.” Thus, this story celebrates the power of child’s imagination and will make youngsters feel as warm and fuzzy as the velveteen rabbit, herself.

Motherhood Later Special Offer:

$100.00 FAMILY FOUR PACK for all performances thru 01/27

THREE EASY WAYS TO ORDER:

ONLINE: Visit BroadwayOffers.com and enter code: VRMFF4.
PHONE: Call 212-947-8844 and mention code: VRMFF4.
IN-PERSON: Bring a print out of this offer to the DR2 Theatre Box Office, 103 East 15th Street
(between Union Square East & Irving Place). Box office open two hours prior to performance. Tickets may also be purchased next door at the Daryl Roth Theatre box office open Tuesday-Sunday 1pm-6pm.

*Offer valid for performances through 01/27/13. Tickets must be purchased by 01/27/13. Black out dates may apply. Schedule and cast subject to change. Offer subject to availability. Normal service charges apply to online and phone orders. No exchanges or refunds. All sales are final. Cannot be combined with other offers. Not valid for prior purchases. Limit of 8 tickets per order. Offer may be revoked at any time.

TICKET GIVEAWAY: If you’d like to see THE VELVETEEN RABBIT,  drop a note to [email protected] and indicate why you’d like to see the show.  Winner will be notified via email.  We are giving away four (4) tickets to a family for January.