Tags Posts tagged with "Peter Rabbit"

Peter Rabbit

CINEMA FOR KIDS Catch a screening of the adorable flick 'Peter Rabbit' at the Cinema Arts Centre on Nov. 13.
PROGRAMS

Children’s Storytime

Barnes and Noble, 600 Smith Haven Mall Lake Grove will host a Children’s Storytime on Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. Author Sarah S. Anker will read from her new book, Below the Ocean: Keeping Our Sea Friends Safe, followed by a Q&A session and book signing. For more informaiton, call 724-0341.

Shell Necklace Workshop 

The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor will hold a Shell Necklance workshop on Nov. 12 from 1 to 2 p.m. Get to know the land and the people of the Shinnecock Nation in this special art and culture workshop presented by special guest Denise Silva-Dennis member of the Shinnecock and Hassanamisco Nations. Make a beautiful shell necklace to take home with you. For ages 5 and older. $15 (includes $5 admission fee). Register at www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.

Marshmallows, Cocoa and Crafts

Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, E. Setauket hosts a children’s workship titled Marshmallows, Cocoa and Crafts on Nov. 12 and 13 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Come down to the farm for an early evening fun event! Create your very own cocoa cups, make a snowy time marshmallow craft, take a tour of the farm, and enjoy seasonal stories by  the warm fire. For ages 4 to 9. $40 per child. To register, call 689-8172.

Fall Scavenger Hunt

Go on a Fall Scavenger Hunt with the staff of Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park on Nov. 13 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Take in some of the beautiful fall foliage as you and your family have a spooktacular time finding all of the silly, spooky, and strange items on your scavenger hunt list. $4 per personTo register, visit EventBrite.com and  search #NatureEdventure. Call 269-5351.

Owl Prowl Sunday 

Join Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown for an Owl Prowl Sunday on Nov. 13 fro 4:15 to 6:15 p.m. Meet and learn about some of the Center’s resident owls and then embark on a walk into the darkness to enjoy the night. Bring a flashligh. For families with children ages 6 and up. $15 per person. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. Call 979-6344 for further information. 

Turkey Time!

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park hosts a Tiny Tots program, Turkey Time!, on Nov. 17 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children ages 3 to 5 and their parents will connect with nature through short walks, animal visitors, and crafts. $4 per child. To register, call 269-5351.

THEATER

‘Beauty and the Beast Jr.’

The Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown kicks off the holiday season with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. from Nov. 19 to Jan. 22 with a special sensory performance on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. All seats are $25. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.

‘Barnaby Saves Christmas’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St. Port Jefferson presents the holiday musical Barnaby Saves Christmas from Nov. 19 to Dec. 30 with a sensory sensitive performance on Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. Come join Santa, Barnaby, Franklynne and all of their friends for a wonderful holiday treat. As our littlest elf and his reindeer friend set off on their journey to save Christmas, they meet some new friends along the way and learn the true meaning of Christmas, Hanukah, and the holiday season. Tickets are $10. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘Frosty’

A perennial favorite, Frosty returns to the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. from Nov. 26 to Dec. 24 and daily from Dec. 26 to 31. Join Jenny and Frosty on their chilly adventures as they try to save the town of Chillsville from mean old Ethel Pierpot and her evil machine that will melt all the snow. Jenny calls on her Mom, the mayor, and all of you to help her save her home, get Frosty to the North Pole, and make this holiday season a Winter Wonderland for one and all! All seats are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

FILM

‘Peter Rabbit’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids series with a screening of Peter Rabbit (2018)) on Nov. 13 at noon. Based on the books by Beatrix Potter, follow the adventures of Peter Rabbit, Flopsy Mopsy, Cotton Tail and their cousin Benjamin. Rated PG. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 children ages 12 and under. Call 423-7610.

From left, Hans Paul Hendrickson, Steven Uihlein, Andrew Gasparini and Dana Bush in a scene from ‘The Adventures of Peter Rabbit.’ Photo by Peter Lanscombe, Theatre Three Productions, Inc.

By Heidi Sutton

When Theatre Three announces the return of a perennial favorite, “The Adventures of Peter Rabbit,” everyone knows that spring is just around the corner. Even more fitting, this year marks 150 years since the birth of Beatrix Potter, who created all of the wonderful characters in the production, from Mrs. Rabbit, Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-Tail to Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny and the McGregors. Written by Jeffrey E. Sanzel and the late Brent Erlanson, the show mimics Potter’s “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” closely with a kinder, softer story line. Sanzel directs a talented cast of eight adult actors to bring us this delightful musical that has become a wonderful tradition for families all over the Island.

The cast of ‘The Adventures of Peter Rabbit.’ Photo by Peter Lanscombe, Theatre Three Productions Inc.
The cast of ‘The Adventures of Peter Rabbit.’ Photo by Peter Lanscombe, Theatre Three Productions Inc.

The story follows a mischievous Peter Rabbit who, because of his insatiable appetite for parsley, cucumbers, tomatoes, string beans and lettuce, is constantly drawn to Mr. McGregor’s garden despite his mother’s wishes. Many trips to the garden patch with his cousin, Benjamin Bunny, eventually wear down the farmer’s patience, ending in a great chase scene through the theater, which is reenacted in slow motion later on.

The show opens with a sweet rendition of “Morning” by Mrs. Rabbit, played by Amanda Geraci, and never loses its momentum. Marquéz Catherine Stewart, Jenna Kavaler and Melanie Acampora are the good little bunnies Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-Tail, respectively, who spend most of the show trying to find their “wayward brother” Peter, played with unbounded energy by Hans Paul Hendrickson. Dana Bush returns as a patient Mrs. McGregor after a few year’s absence and Andrew Gasparini tackles the role of Mr. McGregor for the very first time, playing the stingy and cranky farmer perfectly, sans the desire to eat the rabbits. Steven Uihlein, who plays the role of cousin Benjamin Bunny, rounds out the cast and does a terrific job.

Imagination plays a big part in the show, as the set design is sparse, utilizing a trapdoor on stage as a rabbit hole and constructing a makeshift scarecrow. Costumes, designed by Teresa Matteson, are on point, from Mr. McGregor’s overalls to the little white tails on the rabbits. Kudos to Michelle Manda for a terrific job on the lighting, especially during a Mission Impossible scene when Peter and Benjamin attempt to retrieve Peter’s clothes from the scarecrow.

The musical numbers, written by Kevin F. Story and accompanied on piano by Steve McCoy, are all showstoppers, especially “One More Time Around,”  “Beware! Mr. McGregor!” and “Peter’s Socks,” which Stewart, also the choreographer, has converted to a fun hip-hop piece. All of the songs are incorporated into the finale, a perfect ending to a Theatre Three classic.

Souvenir bunnies in various colors are up for sale during intermission, and the entire cast is in the lobby after the show for a meet-and-greet.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson will present “The Adventures of Peter Rabbit” through March 26. Children’s theater will continue on the Mainstage with “Cinderella” from April 16 to June 11, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” from July 8 to Aug. 5 and “The Misadventures of Robin Hood” from Aug. 5 to 13. All seats are $10. For more information, call the box office at 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.