"The Velveteen Rabbit" is a sweet story about a toy's dreams to become real in the eyes of a child. Originally published in 1922, the story has been republished many times over the years and has been adapted into several animated films, musicals and ballets.
Like the book, in this production the story begins the day after Christmas in a children's nursery where a velveteen rabbit, a new Christmas gift, has been put aside in favor of shiny, modern toys. Rabbit, made of velveteen fabric and stuffed with sawdust, feels rejected by the boy who has cast him aside, but quickly makes friends with the other neglected toys, in particular Horse, the oldest toy in the nursery. Horse has been a much loved toy over the years and imparts his wisdom and experiences to Rabbit of what it is to be real. To be loved by a child so much that your fur starts to wear thin, holes appear, and parts fall off, but the love that is felt by the child and the comfort and joy that is brought to them makes it all worthwhile. This is what it is to be real in the eyes of a toy.
