Upon entering the theater, the first thing that commands our attention is the fabulous set designed by Randel Wright. Including a superb upstage diorama, the entire stage for Kathy Burks Theater of Puppetry Arts' production of Peter Rabbit is filled with a replica of Mr. McGregor's garden.
Burks' resident artist, Ms. B. Wolf, has adapted Beatrix Potter's familiar story of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit." As Peter and his siblings, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail, defy their mother's admonition to stay far away from this dangerous garden, the bunnies' curiosity succumbs to exploring the garden despite their mother's warning. As we recall from our childhood, the too, too sad back story is that the rabbit children's father got hit by a rake in Mr. McGregor's garden and ended up in a pie - the rabbit version of Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd. As they are discovered by Mr. McGregor, the chase is on. The tots in the audience are mesmerized by the dancing vegetables and a great chase through the garden rivaling a Keystone Cops scene in miniature. But never fear; this story has a happy ending as the bunnies escape unharmed. The animated carrots, onions, cucumbers, lettuce, squash and cabbages began to grow as they sing and dance to tell their story.
All the dramatis personae, with the exception of Ben Bryant as Mr. McGregor, are puppets. Designed by Sally Fiorello and choreographed by Nancy Schaeffer, these puppets are put through their complicated maneuvers by accomplished Puppeteers Douglass Burks, Sally Fiorello, Patricia Long, Ziggy Renner, Derik Webb, Melissa Cashon, Caleb W. Massey and B. Wolf.
Adding to the visual delight is the soundtrack by Douglass Burks. Rounding out this technically excellent production are the lighting design by Linda Blase and the costume design by Rosemarie Powell. For sheer entertainment value for children as well as their parents and grandparents, it's hard to beat a production like The Tale of Peter
Rabbit.
