Youth Actor in The Velveteen Rabbit Celebrates 20th Show
Darby Defilippis of Portland (at left in Skin Horse costume) appears in his twentieth performance at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. His brother, River (right), also joins him in The Velveteen Rabbit show.
When the main stage production of The Velveteen Rabbit opens on Friday, December 6, actor Darby Defilippis of Portland will be playing the Skin Horse in his 20th show since 2016 with the Children’s Theatre & Museum of Maine. His first show was also, the The Velveteen Rabbit, but this time around he’s accompanied on stage by his brother, River, who plays Alex, a little boy ill with scarlet fever. Fourteen youth actors in the production - spanning from 8 to 14 years in age - come from five southern Maine towns. Graham Ganter of Portland High School, an alum of the theatre program, will underscore the performance by playing on the mandolin and the cello.
“It’s a whole new experience to be somebody other than yourself, to be acting as somebody else. It puts yourself into a different perspective. It can help you find out who you are and get out of your comfort zone,” said Darby.
Director of The Velveteen Rabbit production Allison McCall said, “Toys have always been a gateway to children’s imagination. They help unlock potential and transport old and young alike on countless adventures. At the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine, we still understand the magic of toys and what it means for them to be Real.”
“It’s a whole new experience to be somebody other than yourself, to be acting as somebody else. It puts yourself into a different perspective. It can help you find out who you are and get out of your comfort zone,” said Darby.
Audience members who attend any of the eleven performances are encouraged to bring their toy friends along for this production. The Toy Fairy character from the performance will be meeting and greeting toys after each show. Audience members will also enjoy free eggnog refreshment, generously provided by Hood. For show times and information, see kitetails.org/theatre
The Children’s Museum & Theatre company consists of young actors who audition for the play and rehearse for five weeks leading up to the performance. Rather than charge a fee for participation, the Museum & Theatre solicits donations to support its performing arts program.
Based on the book by Margery Williams and adapted for the stage by Phil Grecian, produced by special arrangement by The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, IL
Contact: Reba Askari reba@kitetails.org 207-828-1234 X225