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Every child dreams about his or her toys coming to life. This holiday season, both imaginative tots and nostalgic adults have the chance to see this dream come true right in Downtown Bangor.
The Penboscot Theatre Company’s world-premiere adaptation of the classic children’s story “The Velveteen Rabbit” opened at the Bangor Opera House on Wednesday and will run until Dec. 20. Running in repertory with the doo-wop musical comedy “Plaid Tidings,” this production will offer a night of theater for the whole family.
To capture the magic of inanimate playthings springing to life, the company has chosen to use a mix of live actors and puppets — a first for the company, according to Scott RC Levy, producing artistic director for the company. The hour-long adaptation of the book by Margery Williams was written by the company’s technical director, Andrew Frodahl.
The play tells the story of a young boy and the stuffed rabbit he receives for Christmas. The boy’s other toys ridicule the rabbit because he is only made of velveteen and sawdust. As the rabbit becomes the boy’s closest companion, he longs to become real — a task one of the other toys informs him is only possible if he is loved by a child and gives love in return.
The company’s managing director Marcie Bramucci is making her directorial debut with “The Velveteen Rabbit.” While she said the play was picked by Levy because it is a family-friendly show with personal significance, Bramucci found her own connections to it.
“The message of returning to a simple time resonates with me,” Bramucci said. “As society gets more and more complicated and technology-heavy, it’s a nice reminder this time of year of the simpler times.”
As an expecting mother, Bramucci also said she’s been grateful to connect with her inner child before her due date.
Frodahl’s adaptation sticks to the original story, but Bramucci said he has thrown in some new twists, adding his own perspective to the classic tale. While the plot remains, Frodahl has added new characters and events not found in Williams’ version.
Cast members Adam Cousins, John Greenman, Jasmine Ireland, Britni Michaud and Tracy Michaud Stutzman bring the toys to life. The puppets were designed by Robert Smythe and Luna’s Puppets.
According to Bramucci, certain challenges have arisen from the combination of actors and puppets, neither of whom had worked with each other previously.
The Penobscot Theatre Company presents “The Velveteen Rabbit” at the Bangor Opera House,131 Main Street, December 8-20.
Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 11 at noon; Dec.12 at noon; Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.; Dec.18 at 4 p.m; Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.
For tickets or more information, phone the box office at (207) 942-3333, or visit penobscottheatre.org.
