Review: “The Velveteen Rabbit” at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
If you've ever loved a toy until it literally fell to pieces or watched your own child do the same with one of his prized possessions, you will find much to appreciate in the Children's Theatre of Charlotte's charming production of “The Velveteen Rabbit.” This sweet and funny play, based on Margery Williams’ classic book, runs through Dec. 30 at ImaginOn. It is an especially appropriate choice for young children, aged 3-6 years and provides an interesting alternative entertainment choice for the holiday season.
The Velveteen Rabbit could easily be dubbed the original Toy Story. Written in 1922, it explores the world of a little boy's playroom from the perspective of his toys. In particular, it follows the adventures of a simple, stuffed bunny that arrives alongside much more sophisticated toys on Christmas morning.
Initially, the little rabbit is snubbed by the other toys for being “positively prehistoric” – he's handmade and stuffed with sawdust, whereas the other toys have moveable parts and shiny exteriors. But it doesn't take long before the boy scoops up the bunny and starts taking him everywhere – from the nursery to the garden, from morning to night.
More than anything, the little rabbit wants to be “real” and this mystical quality is at the center of the story. As the bunny grows shabbier from constant play, he becomes progressively more loved by the boy. It's this quality of being loved, no matter what others see on the outside, that ultimately makes the rabbit “real” to the boy. This timeless, philosophical search for the essence of love probably explains The Velveteen Rabbit's continued popularity, despite some elements that firmly date the story (wind-up toys as the height of modernity, cars that are cranked, references to ice men, milk men, and horse-drawn carriages all come to mind.)
Ultimately, it really doesn't matter that the story is nearly 100 years old. Kids and adults are transported away by Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s dynamic retelling of The Velveteen Rabbit. That was clear by the enthusiastic response from the youngest members of the audience and my own nostalgic tears that began to fall near the end of the performance.
Much credit goes to Director Steven Ivey and the talented Tarradiddle Players (CTC's resident touring company) for their creativity. With a simple but masterfully-rendered set and costumes, the burden of whisking us away into this imaginary world rests squarely on the actors' shoulders.
The five performers in this production manage to keep the rapt attention of their audience throughout the show, which runs just shy of an hour. On the night I attended, preschool-aged children were totally focused on the action on stage (including those who wriggled their way into seats that were several rows closer to the stage and others who shouted out enthusiastic commentary during the performance).
The boy and the Velveteen Rabbit are delightfully portrayed by actors Stephen Seay and Leslie Ann Giles, respectively. Seay shines when he gets carried away playing make-believe games, such as re-enacting the story of Peter Rabbit and mean, old Farmer McGregor. While playing, he orders the rabbit about with the enthusiastic imperiousness that young children only dare to use on their toys. Then, just as the rabbit's role becomes interesting, the boy arbitrarily decides to switch parts. Giles, meanwhile, manages to silently convey every emotion from amusement to exasperation through her gestures and wide-eyed glances, since the toy rabbit cannot speak when the boy or any other humans are around.
It was a pleasure to see that this well-worn story still resonates with the iPad generation. Toys may have changed but the essential questions of love and “reality” from a child's perspective have stayed the same. As the show says, “Truth is sometimes very mysterious to grown-ups and very clear to children.”
– Written by Liz Bertrand
Runs through December 30, 2011
Wells Fargo Playhouse at ImaginOn
300 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Front Orchestra $18 / General Section $14
Intended for Ages 3 and Up
December 12th, 2011 - 18:24
Josh still sleeps with a kitty stuffed animal who has seen MUCH better days! Then again, I think I may have been in college when I stopped sleeping with my buddy, “big bear” so I have no room to talk about ratty stuffed animals!
December 12th, 2011 - 18:26
My kids both sleep with stuffed animals but the both share a black lab dog and share every other night.
December 12th, 2011 - 18:28
Laney, loves her stuffy dog. She won him @ Carowinds!
December 12th, 2011 - 18:29
My daughter Lor has had the same pink stuffed rabbit since she was 3 months old. She is 6 now and still loves that thing.
December 12th, 2011 - 18:30
My daughter sleeps with an assortment of stuffed animals, but her favorite is Cat Face.
She loves him so much that I had to get a backup- I rotate them in and out so that they’re both getting equal wear and tear!
December 12th, 2011 - 18:31
My daughter still sleeps with her dalmation puppy
December 12th, 2011 - 18:36
My youngest sleeps with his lion every night. At 19 months old, he doesn’t say much. But “lion” was one of his first words!
December 12th, 2011 - 18:37
My daughter Riley got a bear from my mil on her very first valentines day. She has loved thst bear and drug it around ever since. The bear is tattered, warn and very loved. My daughter is 6.5 now and she can’t sleep without it!
December 12th, 2011 - 18:37
My daughter has a major obsession with all things stuffed. She is six and refuses to part with any bc in her mind everyone of them has a story behind how she got it. She refuses to part with the memories.
December 12th, 2011 - 18:47
Our daughter has been sleeping with “Lamb Chops” since she was an infant. She still has him to this day and she’s now 8. He’s only had “surgery” once. LOL
December 12th, 2011 - 19:21
my daughter sleeps with a duck and monkey lovey its her favorite.
December 12th, 2011 - 19:23
My daughters favorite is Coco Bunny, her much loved rabbit and my son loves Max, from “Where the Wild Things Are”.
December 12th, 2011 - 19:23
My daughter’s favorite is her “cuddly,” which is small square blanket with a bear torso in the middle. She’s now 3 and has had cuddly since she was born. She’s currently on her second one since the first one got too worn out. She will not go to sleep without it and cuddly can solve any problem
December 12th, 2011 - 19:38
My daughter’s favorite stuffed animal is her ‘White Kitty’. It was given to her at birth (she will be 9 next month) and to her, it is always warm and snuggly in her bed.
December 12th, 2011 - 19:45
One daughter loves her build-a-bear Dig, FooFoo while the other loves her shoes!
December 12th, 2011 - 20:11
Both of my boys have stuff animals they love. My oldest has a puppy dog and an owl he still sleeps with and my youngest has a bear that he loves. They have both had them since birth.
December 12th, 2011 - 20:12
My children have slept with their “bank banks” which are elephant loveys. If those can’t be found at night, let’s just say meltdown city!
December 12th, 2011 - 21:17
I have a 4, 3, and 2 year old that all love a giraffe we call GiRalphy. I got him when I was pregnant with my 4 year old. He is very special.
December 12th, 2011 - 21:20
My oldest son is almost 7 and still sleeps with an assortment of stuffed friends every night, but his most beloved is his dog, Spike, that he got in Myrtle Beach when he was a toddler.
December 12th, 2011 - 21:21
My daughter loves her Elmo doll. She loves to give him big hugs and kisses!
December 12th, 2011 - 21:29
My oldest daughter loves her pink elephant lovie and my son never slept with an animal but still will go to bed with a football….all boy!
December 12th, 2011 - 21:32
My son has been sleeping with this little teddy bear for over 5 years now!! His little brother steals him, every chance he gets!
December 12th, 2011 - 21:32
Kylie sleeps with a red and white polka dot puppy – but her first favorite (and still is) is a blue elephant called “Ellie”
)
December 12th, 2011 - 21:42
My daughter loves all of her horses!
December 12th, 2011 - 21:47
My daughter, Abby, loves her “froggy” who is a curved pillow by Angel Dear. My son, Connor, adores his “walla” (a koala by JellyCat) and his large Little Giraffe blanket. Thank goodness they all wash well.
December 12th, 2011 - 21:57
We have Ellie. Handmade by a family friend for our sons birth 4 years ago, she is a quirky elephant! She is a treasure; he loves her like crazy!
December 12th, 2011 - 21:59
Aidenn’s new favorite is his Hawaiian Statbucks bear. Hopefully he doesn’t lose it since you can only get it in Hawaii!
December 12th, 2011 - 22:33
My son LOVES is Doggie!
December 12th, 2011 - 23:25
My son loves his Ugly Doll named Cinco. LOL!
December 13th, 2011 - 07:52
My little girls all have stuffed bunnies that they just adore!
December 13th, 2011 - 08:01
My middle daughter always asks for Pengui, her stuffed penguin, at bedtime! It was a gift from my oldest daughter! All my kids love their stuffed cats!
December 13th, 2011 - 08:01
This looks so cute. We would love to take our kids
December 13th, 2011 - 08:09
My oldest daughter Kaylie (now 13) has a stuffed dog my mom got her for her first Valentines Day. That dog has been through everything with her and still sleeps with her everynight. “Fluffy” may look like a piece of junk but holds more love than one could imagine.
My 11 year old Jaycie has a pillow that is her lovey. I made it for her after she had a big fall when she was 1 and she has slept with it ever since. She calls it her ‘cold pillow’.
My 2 year old Sarah has a Clifford that she has become quite attached to and will not sleep without him. “My dog” is very special to her.
December 13th, 2011 - 08:23
Sounds like a great show
December 13th, 2011 - 08:23
My oldest would sleep with every single stuffed animal if I would let him! lol But I have to limit him to only 3 a night. One big one and two smaller ones. No my daugther has to have at leat 3 little ones in bed with her. It will be intersting to see what my youngest will be like when he gets older.
My oldest still has the bunny my mother got him when he was only 7 months old. He took that thing everywhere until he was about 3 years old. he still has it, sitting on a shelf and there are times when I go in and check on him while he sleeping and he will have the bunny with him in bed! lol
My daughter has to have this little soft doll I got for her when she was two. She even takes to to school with her because of her autism. They will allow it as long as she keeps in the doll in her desk. It goes everywhere with her even to store. It even when to cheer with her when she cheered last year.
December 13th, 2011 - 09:07
My Baby girl Stella was given her own Velveteen Rabbit by her Grandpa in Australia.
it is a classic and beautiful story! Would love to see it.
December 13th, 2011 - 09:21
My youngest daughter, 6, shows her independent nature by not being set on one animal to love. She picks and chooses who she snuggles with each night. Going to bed is not her favorite thing so I think that is why she chooses not to have a favorite thing to sleep with.
My older girls? Now that is another story.
They each have a favorite and despite their ages, 15 and 14, go to sleep snuggling with their own furry friends each night.
My middle daughter has a bear she named Cubby. He is big and now pear shaped, since she has hugged him so much his stuffing has traveled South making him quite the big bottomed bear. He was acquired after an all weekend cleaning binge in her room, where we got rid of tons of toys and such. She saw him at the store and wanted him desperately. “Clean up your room and he is yours” apparently did the trick. He has been by her side through good and bad ever since. And when she has her own child? I have a bear exactly like Cubby that will be my first gift to her, because everybody needs a Cubby.
My oldest daughter ‘s lovey was with us before she was even born.
Lamby was a gift from a friend and it sat in her crib when she was brought home from the hospital. The satin ribbon around Lamby’s neck is her favorite, and playing with that ribbon has lulled her to sleep for over 15 years now. There is a Lamby 2 that joined them when she was about 5. My husband and I thought we lost the original Lamby (oh no!) and searched about 5 stores until we found another one. Turned out Lamby #1 was just having a sleepover at Mama and Papa’s house. So she sleeps with two Lambies now – the more the merrier right?
My favorite memory, and I wish I had a picture of it, was when my second daughter was born. My husband just made it to the hospital, with my oldest daughter in tow. We were all terribly sick including my mother who had traveled for the birth only to spend it back at our house with pneumonia. The nurse, took my oldest over to see her new baby sister and when the baby started to cry, my oldest tried to give her Lamby, thinking I’m sure, that Lamby would make the baby feel better just like it does her. It is one of my favorite memories and it feels like it was just yesterday that it happened.
These guys have had many adventures along the way – many a sleepover, many a long drive. They have dried many tears and made many a bad day better.
And I know, for sure, that if anything ever happened to any of these furry friends, it would be I that would miss them the most. Of that I am sure.
December 13th, 2011 - 09:37
My children would love to see the Velveteen Rabbit!
December 13th, 2011 - 09:51
My mom recently gave my copy of The Velveteen Rabbit to my daughter to go with her copy. My oldest sleeps with Thumper that she bought w/ her allowance, so she’s extra proud of it and my youngest is a big fan (right now) of her pillow pet.
December 13th, 2011 - 09:53
Both my girls sleep with a favorite stuffed animal/thing, one is a dinosaur and my youngest sleeps cuddled with BROBEE or foofa!!