THE VELVETEEN RABBIT
Forum Theater - March-April 2002
Where: Metuchen, New Jersey
When: March-April 2002
Performance Schedule: Shows ran primarily on Saturdays at 11 am, with at least 1 Sunday show at the same time
Role(s): "The Boy"
When Joe was 12 years old, he appeared in an original local stage musical version of The Velveteen Rabbit, based off the popular children's book. The musical ran at the Forum Theater in Metuchen, New Jersey. This show technically marked Joe's professional theater debut due to a contract by the Actors Equity Association (AEA) that the actors performed under. Joe played the lead role, "The Boy". A live recording of Joe in this role exists in the sole custody of the composer, Paul Farinella, for archival purposes. A CD of certain highlights of the show was recorded, but Joe was not featured on it.
..:: A little something about the show ::..
The Velveteen Rabbit is (presumably) based off the classic children's book of the same title. It is the story of a young boy's favorite toy, a stuffed rabbit who longs to become real through the love the boy gives him.
"The Boy" is the owner of the Velveteen Rabbit. He becomes ill with scarlet fever and is shipped overseas to be treated. In the end of the story, he encounters a real rabbit who he thinks resembles his old Velveteen Rabbit (hint hint).
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Sarah J. (Tuesday, 30 July 2013 10:55)
The show was actually in the month of April in 2002; primarily Saturdays at 11:00 AM, though there was one Sunday show on the 7th at 11:00 AM. I currently have 8 pictures of Joe during the show.
Peggy Vaun (Sunday, 15 June 2014 03:49)
The Velveteen Rabbit opened in March, 2002 at the Forum Theater and ran for several months. I had the pleasure of seeing it and the production was great! Joe was wonderful as the "boy," which was a big part for a small child to play. It was an Actors Equity production so everyone was very talented, professional and had great voices. Joe did get his union card from Velveteen, which was amazing for a child. The thing I remember most about it was that the music and lyrics were really outstanding. The Velveteen Rabbit was honored that year, maybe as best musical or something, in New Jersey. Performances were on the week end and during the week, which is when I saw it with a school group. Like many of the shows at the Forum, it toured. I also saw the touring production, but Joe was replaced by then. It was an exceptionally good production, well written and performed.
magali (Sunday, 22 June 2014 01:28)
excuse me joe was 13 years old in 2002 not 12
Stella (Sunday, 20 July 2014 14:09)
@magali Joe was 12 at the time because the show was in March/April of 2002 and he didn't turn 13 until August.