Theatre Horizon, King of Prussia's professional theatre company, brings a touch of magic to local families on May 5th. Children ages 3 to 10 are invited to a day of arts and crafts, food, raffle prizes, and great entertainment as Theatre Horizon presents The Velveteen Rabbit at the Upper Merion High School theatre at 3pm. Build-Your-Own-Puppet workshops for kids will be held in the lobby at 2pm and 2:30pm before the show.

In The Velveteen Rabbit, a well-loved and well-worn rabbit discovers there is more to life than the four walls of the nursery. With sage advice from a friendly hobby horse, he learns that his young owner's love can make him real. This classic story comes to life through puppetry, masks, and music. "The show is performed without words, so the actors use their bodies and actions to tell the story," says Artistic Director Erin Reilly. "I love this wordless version of the story because it encourages children to use their own imaginations, engaging them fully in the world of the play. It's wonderful to see children leaning out of their chairs, anticipating what's going to come next."

Reilly says Theatre Horizon aims to engage all five senses before and during the show. To that end, children ages 3 to 10 can join Theatre Horizon before the play for hands-on puppet-making workshops at 2 p.m and 2:30pm. Children will build, decorate, and take home their own simple puppet. There is a $3 material fee to participate in the workshop.

"Theatre should be a family activity, so we haven't left out the parents," says Reilly. Theatre Horizon has teamed up with the aptly-named local childcare center Bright Horizons to raffle off prize baskets worth up to $400 for adults and kids alike.

The Velveteen Rabbit is a classic fable by Margery Williams, and a favorite bed-time story in many households. In anticipation of the show, libraries in Norristown, Bryn Mawr, Conshohocken, Upper Merion, and Havertown joined with Theatre Horizon to hold a "golden ticket" literary contest that runs until May 1st. Children can find golden tickets at their local library, and mail a ticket to Theatre Horizon to enter a drawing for free tickets to The Velveteen Rabbit.

Tickets to the show are available at no extra charge on the Theatre Horizon website, www.theatrehorizon.org or by calling (610)283-2230. The Velveteen Rabbit shows May 5, 2007 at 3 p.m. at Upper Merion Area High School at 435 Crossfield Road King of Prussia, PA 19406.