Tony Arrasmith/Arrasmith & Associates.
CINCINNATI (Oct. 2, 2023) – The Playhouse’s Off the Hill touring series begins its 2023-2024 touring season with a world premiere adaptation of the childhood classic, THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, now through early November. It will travel to various community centers in the greater Cincinnati region through early November. The production will also travel to schools this September-November.
The new adaptation by Trey Tatum features a young boy going through the everyday ups and downs of playing with his big sister when he discovers his favorite toy – a velveteen rabbit – to be a source of courage and love. Based on Margery Williams’ classic book, it’s a story about resilience, the power of love and the strength found in playing pretend.
Tatum explains that the play is, “about how we tell stories, who we allow to tell stories, and what happens when we’re allowed to set our own narrative. There are kids who will see this show who feel like their voice doesn’t matter at home, or isn’t as valued as their siblings…So if a kid sees this play and the takeaway is: ‘hey, I also feel like my voice isn’t heard, you’re not alone, it’s ok, it won’t always feel this way…’ I think that’s pretty rad.”
THE VELVETEEN RABBIT is directed by Ariana Moses and performed by Tai Rosenblatt (Little) and Renee Shimsky (Big). The story is recommended for children ages 5 and up. In-person touring performances run through early November at community centers around Greater Cincinnati including Kennedy Heights Arts Center, the Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum, Artsville, the Evendale Cultural Arts Center and others.
Seasonal support of Cincinnati Playhouse’s Education and Outreach comes from The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation, the L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation and The Charles H. Dater Foundation.
The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation.
Dates for each production and additional details on each production visit https://cincyplay.com/productions/the-velveteen-rabbit.
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