ODC/SF, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
The Velveteen Rabbit
November 24, 200, 4 pm matinee

Okay, so I admit it. Despite a jaded San Francisco air, I can still be found sniffing away and holding back tears next to the six-year olds at a matinee of ODC/SF's The Velveteen Rabbit. No one is too old for KT Nelson's clever adaptation, which was designed as family fare and is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a two-week run at the Yerba Buena Center this year. It was sweet entertainment all the way.

For the Saturday matinee, the audience arrived with both new and threadbare rabbits in tow and one obviously more-experienced young theatregoer next to me demanded to know "where the crocodile was." Embarassingly, I had left my bear at home, which was too bad, because he would have loved it. Margery Williams's classic of the Velveteen Rabbit and the young boy who loves him so much that he becomes "real" is beautifully realized with fanciful sets and costumes designed by the children's illustrator Brian Wildsmith, music from Benjamin Britten, and a narration read by Geoff Hoyle. Saturday saw the debut of an appealing Private Freeman as the Boy and a delightful Khamla Somphanh as the Rabbit, both of whom turned in performances that reminded one that telling a good story is what it's all about.

Beyond even the broad theatricality and charm of the story, though, there is a craftsmanship that goes into this production. The dancers were possibly tired after already completing the first show of the day, but launched with their trademark energy into the performance, and Freeman displayed a perfect exuberance and child-like delight, even while exhibiting smooth and self-assured technique. For her part, even under several pounds of rabbit-wear, Somphanh had a adorably genuine quality that made me marvel at how deeply an audience can respond to a performer whose face you cannot even see. Much of the choreography, too, requires spot-on timing and it is a credit to the ODC dancers that they deliver it effortlessly and unnoticeably.

A wide-ranging supporting cast of characters gives one plenty to watch and at intermission there seemed to be a great deal of discussion amongst the younger set about the storyteller's headgear, the toys, the rabbits, the Skin Horse, how funny it was that the Boy slid right off the stage with a bump. Nelson has made the piece accessible and yet never condescending, and to draw the audience in closer, she is not afraid to have the dancers break the proscenium to good effect. This reviewer was accosted by the inquisitive crocodile, who charged up the aisle to play with the audience, much to my young neighbor's delight.

Other reviewers have said it, but it bears repeating: if you've got a young one and you just can't stand the thought of one more "Waltz of the Snowflakes", take them to see The Velveteen Rabbit; you'll have more fun than they do. And don't forget your stuffed animal, or you're going to feel left out.

The Velveteen Rabbit continues through December 9, 2001.

For more information check on ODC/SF's website.

Return to the review index

This review initially appeared on criticaldance.com, November 26, 2001.

For questions or comments, please contact maryellenhunt@yahoo.com.