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Entertainment
That rascally rabbit
The Peter Rabbit characters are played by actors in costumes that sometimes tower up to 9 feet.
By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN
Published January 28, 2005
America's giant puppet company, the Bits 'N Pieces Theatre, is bringing The Musical Tale of Peter Rabbit to two area venues this week. It's one of a dozen shows the troupe has performed thousands of times across Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and the United States since 1973, when Floridian Jerry Bickel founded the company.
In Peter Rabbit, actors Holli Rubin, Jerrod Bogard and Danny-Ray Polson don colorful costumes to play the Rabbit Family - Peter, Flopsy, Mopsy and Mama - as well as Farmer McGregor, in a fast-paced one-hour production.
The action takes place in the Rabbit Family's burrow, a nearby bramble-filled field and in Farmer McGregor's lush vegetable garden.
As the play begins, the Rabbit Family is gathering blackberries, a chore the cheeky Peter finds boring. Soon, Peter disobeys Mama Rabbit and sneaks into Farmer McGregor's garden, where he stuffs himself with tasty vegetables.
Farmer McGregor finds him and gives chase. Peter high-tails it back home, losing his beautiful new shoes and coat on the way. By the time he gets home, his tummy hurts, and he's exhausted.
Even so, Peter has learned important lessons about the consequences of being lazy, being greedy and disobeying his mother.
The show is performed on a large, colorful set designed by Chuck Majewski, with original music by Pegg Callahan, lyrics by Bickel and choreography by Rick Costello.
The most striking part of the show, however, is the puppets, which are played by live actors in costumes that sometimes tower up to 9 feet tall.
Since 1977, Bits 'N Pieces theater has produced 12 original musical productions featuring their trademark giant puppets.
If you go
WHAT: The Musical Tale of Peter Rabbit
WHERE: Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, 324 Pine St., Tarpon Springs
WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday
TICKETS: $12 adults; $8 ages 12 and younger. Call 942-5605
ALSO AT . . .
WHERE: Center for the Arts at River Ridge, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey
WHEN: Noon Thursday.
TICKETS: $4. Call 774-7381 (also available the day of the show)
[Last modified January 28, 2005, 00:21:17]
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