The Port Lavaca Main Street Theatre performed the children’s classic “The Velveteen Rabbit” in June of this year. The play also happened to be the 14th Anniversary Production for the Port Lavaca Children’s Theatre.
Following the journey of a toy rabbit as it touches a young boy’s life, the play was adapted from the 1922 novel of the same name by Margery Williams, and the Main Street performers were excellent in conveying the drama and message in the story.
All members of the young cast played their parts well, with special mention going to the performers who really had to carry the show such as the Velveteen Rabbit herself, portrayed by Bailey Leadbetter and Faith Fojt. The Skin Horse (Brice Caughron/John-Michael Sadlier) was another player with a large and important part to play as the actor not only had to carry his characters dialogue but also carried the play along with some very heartfelt narration.
Jax Stringham had some wonderful moments as well as Andrew, the boy whose toys came to life.
Taylor Hunt also did an excellent job in the role of Nana as she filled in for an actress who fell ill shortly before performances began.
Jody Weaver did her usual splendid job of wearing many hats for the production including director, scenery artist and publicity. Weaver, along with the rest of the collective members of the Main Street Theatre, always seems to make everything work wonderfully in the end no matter the production or event, and “The Velveteen Rabbit” was no exception.
Another pleasant surprise was the importance given to Andrew’s contraction of Scarlet Fever, a disease which at the time was a very serious issue among children. The mix of the real world sickness and themes of love, friendship and loss are timeless both in meaning and importance. Perhaps they are even more important to us modernly as our children, although not affected by an epidemic such as Scarlet fever, are increasingly in danger of losing their imaginary friends in this age of online games and I-Phones.
All in all, “The Velveteen Rabbit” was a great take on an old children’s classic and although this particular production has ended, it is well worth the effort to check out the Port Lavaca Main Street Theatre for future productions as they always do an excellent job of producing some excellent performances.
Check it out: www.plmainstreet.org
