A Rabbit Act in the Round

Don’t be put off by the scant and humble setting for Imagination-in-Residency’s production of Margery Williams’ classic, “The Velveteen Rabbit.” The company’s Encino Community Center venue consists of only a very small section of bare floor surrounded by plastic mats and some folding chairs that look a bit lost in the center of the functional auditorium.

There are no sets, no colorfully draped stage, and you won’t hear mood music, either.

Yet, while children shouldn’t miss a good theater experience with all the trappings, there can be magic in simplicity as well, especially when an adept theater company can move a young audience into “let’s pretend” mode as thoroughly as this one.

Its foundation is the well-crafted simplicity of Karen Hardcastle’s adaptation of the 1922 classic story, abridged and updated here with references to modern toys--a T. Rex and a robot--but retaining the heart of the tale about a toy bunny made real in one way by a child’s love and then real in fact.

Director Elizabeth Tobias keeps the action tight and varied enough that the modest, audience-in-the-round presentation doesn’t leave anyone out, and lots of audience participation is added to the mix.

Children (this is for the preschool to early elementary range) and a willing adult or two can be birthday party guests and birthday presents--amusingly “unwrapped” by Billy (Zeke Rettman), an action that brings on giggle fits from volunteers. The audience can also help out the Velveteen Rabbit (Katie Dawson) pass Billy’s “Test of Bravery” by making scary faces, and some can be bunnies--with ears.

Rettman also plays Billy’s stuffy “Rockem Sockem Robot” toy and a real rabbit; Maria Marlowe’s multiple roles include Mom, T. Rex, Rocking Horse, another rabbit and the fairy that makes beloved toys real when they’re worn out and outgrown.

The actors--all adults--project comfortable assurance and professionalism, and they’re at ease with unpredictable little audience members who can’t resist encroaching on the performance space.

Dawson, a winsome and spunky Velveteen Rabbit, plays nicely off of Rettman’s rambunctious (and very tall) Billy and Marlowe, who has a different accent for each character and does them well, is especially appealing as the Irish-flavored wise old nursery Rocking Horse. (The play has a double cast that performs on other dates. Not reviewed are Tony Sanders, Marnie Olsen and Christien Murawski.)

Costumes, although not elaborate, are nicely done by Hardcastle and Tobias, particularly that designed for the Velveteen Rabbit.

The show is a pleasant debut for the company, an offshoot of Imagination Central, which was previously housed at the center. Its next production will be “Three Tales by Hans Christian Andersen” (March 21-June 13).

* “The Velveteen Rabbit,” L.A. City Recreation and Parks’ Encino Community Center, 4935 Balboa Ave., Encino. Saturdays, 1 p.m., $5.(818) 995-1690. Running time: 45 minutes.

Singing Out: Voices will be raised, but the mood will be harmonious when 12 notable children’s choirs come together for a “Children’s Choir Festival Concert” at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church on Feb. 28. The afternoon concert will feature the event’s hosting organization, the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, whose members frequently perform with professional symphony and opera companies. The Trouveres and Troubadours from All Saints Church in Pasadena, the South Bay and San Diego Children’s Choirs and Glendale’s Encore Children’s Chorus are among the other community, school and church choirs slated to perform.

All 500 singers will join in the concert’s massed performance finale, “Where the Music Comes From.”

* “Children’s Choir Festival Concert,” Pasadena Presbyterian Church, Madison Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, Feb. 28, 3:30 p.m. Free; goodwill donation accepted at the door. (626) 793-4231.

Get Creative: For kids whose tastes range from pickups to pixies, Storyopolis offers two special participatory events. First, rev up your engines for Storyopolis’ “Cars & Trucks, Trains & Planes Craft & Story Hour,” on Feb. 28. You’ll hear such classics as “The Little Engine That Could” and “The Wheels of the Bus” and then make a vehicle of your choice out of uncooked pasta. “Fairies, Pixies & Little Folk” is the theme for March 7, with such tales as “Whoosh, Went the Wish” and a “Magic Wand” craft.

Advance craft reservations are advised.

* “Cars & Trucks, Trains & Planes,” Feb. 28, 11:30 a.m.; “Fairies, Pixies & Little Folk,” March 7, 11:30 a.m.; Storyopolis, 116 N. Robertson Blvd., Plaza A, Los Angeles. Craft fees: $6. (310) 358-2512.