The play, which was nominated in the category Best Musical Album for Children, features an original musical score, puppetry and actors from the Enchantment Theatre Company based out of Philadelphia, for which Reidel serves as the co-artistic director. After holding technical rehearsals on campus for approximately one week in early September, The Velveteen Rabbit made its debut at the Louise and David Roselle Center for the Arts on Sept. 23 as part of the University's Family Performing Arts Series, and has since been touring across the country.
“We've had quite a full house at almost every show--and we've been all over the East Coast. The production is about to head out west now,” Reidel said. “The play continues to be received very well because it's a great combination of Sebesky and Nissenson's score and the kind of particular puppets, masks and allusions the Enchantment Theatre Company is known for.”
Reidel said he became involved in the project after a producer in New York approached the Enchantment Theatre Company about staging music written for The Velveteen Rabbit. He said this is the first time the company has performed a play that showcases songs with lyrics.
“At first, we didn't quite know how a recorded score with live action puppets would go because we had never done that before,” he said. “After a couple of rough sketches and performances, though, everyone quickly became really excited about it.”
The Velveteen Rabbit has more than 40 performances booked across the United States through May, Reidel said, and they will continue to book shows for as long as people come to see it.
He said although he plays a major role in the production of the show, he will not be attending the Grammy Awards on Feb. 10 in California. Sebesky and Nissenson, however, will be in attendance. The score is independent of the production, Reidel said, although it is unlikely a score gets nominated without the help of a production.
“Everyone at the company really hopes they win,” Reidel said. “The music is charming--it doesn't sound like kiddie music. It sounds like a score for a Broadway show.”
“We're more concerned with just doing our work and seeing how it falls out,” Reidel said. “It was a great privilege to work with them, and we want to see The Velveteen Rabbit win.”
Looking forward, Reidel said the company plans to begin its staging of The Firebird in February, which is set to the music of Igor Stravinsky and will be performed by the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Del.
“No singing--just really great music,” Reidel said of The Firebird.
In addition to his work with the Enchantment Theatre Company, Reidel has been a theatre professor at the University since 1989 and also helped found the Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) on campus.
“Part of my life is doing Shakespeare at PTTP and the other is doing plays for young children with the Enchantment Theatre Company,” Reidel said. “They complement each other very nicely.”
Article by Sarah Lipman
Photos courtesy of the Enchantment Theatre Company