Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College (BCBC) opens its 2012-2013 Target Storybook Series with Enchantment Theatre Company’s production of The Velveteen Rabbit on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.
“When a child loves you for a long, long time…then you become Real.” So says the Horse to the Velveteen Rabbit in Margery Williams’ famous and much-loved literary classic. A stuffed toy rabbit, given as a gift to a young boy, yearns for the day the boy will choose him as his special playmate, so that he can become real. Through love, devotion and a little bit of magic, he not only becomes a truly beloved toy, but is miraculously transformed into a real woodland rabbit. This innovative production combines the theatrical magic and signature style of Enchantment Theatre Company with an original musical score by Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning composer/arranger Don Sebesky, lyrics by Gloria Nissenson, and a book by Leslie Reidel, Jennifer Blatchley Smith, and Landis Smith adapted from Margery Williams classic children’s novel. Incorporating extraordinary puppets, masks and magic, Enchantment Theatre Company brings to life this charming tale of love and devotion, creating an unforgettable theatrical experience for the whole family.
The centerpiece of BCBC’s 2012-2013 family programming, the new Target Storybook Series features performances based on classic and contemporary children’s literature. In addition to “The Velveteen Rabbit,” this series includes “How I Became a Pirate” (Jan. 6, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.), “The Little Prince” (Jan. 27, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.), and American Family Theater’s “Sleeping Beauty” (March 10, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.).
The Target Storybook Series aims to encourage the development of strong reading skills at home in children ages four to eight. Each show’s Parents’ Guide, containing literacy-based activity sheets, reading tips, and discussion topics, gives parents the opportunity to engage their children both before and after seeing each show. Parents’ Guides are available for download at www.BrooklynCenterOnline.org/Target_Storybook.asp.
“We are thrilled to partner with Target to introduce Brooklyn’s young audiences to these exciting live adaptations of children’s books,” said Rick Berubé, interim managing director of BCBC. “Our aim with this new series is to not only entertain and create strong family memories, but also to assist more children in reaching a strong level of reading proficiency by the end of the third grade.”
In addition to the Target Storybook Series, BCBC will present other family-friendly shows including the holiday favorite “The Colonial Nutcracker,” “Tales of Anansi,” and a sing-along screening of the Julie Andrews classic film “The Sound of Music.”
All tickets can be purchased by phone at 718-951-4500 (Tues-Sat, 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.), or online at www.BrooklynCenterOnline.org.
Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College
2/5 trains to Brooklyn College/Flatbush Avenue
Online orders: BrooklynCenterOnline.org
Box Office: (718) 951-4500 (Tue.-Sat., 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.)
Groups of 15 or more: (718) 951-4600, ext. 3326
