Show History

History

Inspiration

The Velveteen Rabbit is a children's musical with book and lyrics by James Still and music by Jimmy Roberts (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change). It is the stage adaptation of the Margery Williams story of the same name, first published in 1922, that tells the tale of a stuffed rabbit who yearns to be real through the love of his owner.

Still's book, however, puts the focus on the relationship between the owner, Steve, and his brother, rather than on the titular rabbit. The musical is bookended with an older Steve on his birthday, contemplating his relationship with his brother. The characters also include the other prominent toys of the Rocking Horse and the Motor Boat, along with a wild rabbit who constantly taunts the Velveteen Rabbit for not being real.

Productions

The Velveteen Rabbit premiered in 1986 with Theatreworks/USA, a company that specializes in theatre for young audiences, touring the United States for close to a decade.