THEATER REVIEW / ‘THE VELVETEEN RABBIT’ : A Bunny’s Tale : Lively music and a colorful menagerie of animals make the play, less than an hour long, tailor made for the younger set.

Illusions Theatre artistic director Elizabeth Ridenour has adapted Margery Williams’ classic children’s story, “The Velveteen Rabbit,” as her company’s Christmas production.

A visual treat--and less than an hour long--it’s a show that the younger members of the family might really enjoy, along with their parents or grandparents.

Come to think of it, maybe only a grandparent could explain what one character means when cautioning another, “Loose lips sink ships.”

The titular bunny (Rachel Tibbits) is given to Bobby (Tyson Babayco) as a Christmas present, and is added to his menagerie of toys. There, advised by a stuffed lion (Chris Babayco), clown (Rejeanne Lessar), three monkeys (Jessica Sumner, Karen Moncharsh and Sarah Eckersley) and three blind mice (Karen Collins, Emily Collins and Arielle Clarke), among other toys, the Rabbit learns about life.

Not the birds and the bees, but living itself.

As the Nursery Fairy, the elegantly clad Karen Moncharsh may especially appeal to little girls.

There’s a fair amount of music, including the songs “Love Me Tender” and “How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You)”, capably accompanied by keyboardist Steve Emery.

Marty Babayco turns in a stellar performance as a singing toy horse, and the costumes (Kim Stroud) and stage set are top-notch.

Like all Illusions productions, “The Velveteen Rabbit” mixes adult and young performers, some of them more experienced than others.

In this case, the blend only adds to the show’s charm.

It would have been nice, though, had Ridenour acknowledged author Williams in the show’s program.

The story isn’t traditional, nor is it in the public domain.

* WHERE AND WHEN

“The Velveteen Rabbit” concludes this weekend at the Ojai Arts Center, 113 S. Montgomery St. in Ojai. Performances are at 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; tickets are $6.50, $4 for seniors and children. Reservations are recommended. Tickets are available at Table of Contents Books in Ojai and Adventures for Kids in Ventura, or by calling 646-3533 or 646-6387.