For Immediate Release: October 25, 2005
Media Contact: Jennifer A. Gonsalves, Mum Puppettheatre, 215.925.7MUM

Returning for the twelfth year in a row due to overwhelming demand, this holiday season Mum Puppettheatre presents its beloved and unforgettable classic, The Velveteen Rabbit. Based on the treasured story by Margery Williams, this quintessential production by Philadelphia's most unique theatre features puppets, masks, shadows and a haunting musical soundscape by award-winning composer Adam Wernick.

In this timeless story, a brand-new plush rabbit made from velveteen discovers that there's more to life than the four walls of the nursery. From the other playthings in the room, he learns that there is a difference between being a toy and being Real. Only his owner's love can make the rabbit Real, but he almost loses his chance when his young owner gets sick and all the toys must be destroyed. In the end, almost too late, the now well-loved and well-worn rabbit learns what it means to be Real!

Back by popular demand for its 12th year, The Velveteen Rabbit is performed with lovingly hand-crafted hand puppets, rod puppets, shadows and masks, capturing the magic of this well-loved children's classic. Award-winning composer Adam Wernick's original music and Mum's unique style of wordless narrative together create a production unlike any other. It is truly an experience for families to remember together for years to come.

"When we first produced The Velveteen Rabbit eleven years ago, I knew that it was one of the most beloved children's stories ever written," says director Robert Smythe, "but I never suspected that our adaptation would become one of Mum Puppettheatre's most beloved productions!" Smythe, who is also the company's founder and Artistic Director, goes on to liken the show to the Pennsylvania Ballet's annual Nutcracker production, saying "we are proud and happily surprised that The Velveteen Rabbit is an annual holiday tradition for hundreds of Philadelphia families." He also shares that the show often has a profound effect on those who see it. Some of Mum's interns have sought to work at the company as college students in response to having seen the show as children. And when the company left the show off its lineup in 2003, audiences clamored for it to come back, leading to a special limited-run engagement that year. Smythe concludes, "Just as the story is about a child's undying love for his stuffed bunny, this twelfth incarnation is evidence of Philadelphia's undying love for a show about that bunny."

The production runs from November 25 to December 18, and is enjoyed by all ages. All tickets cost $15. Performances take place on Saturdays at noon, 2pm and 4pm, and on Sundays at 2pm and 4pm, as well as selected weekdays. Discounted group rates are available for parties of ten or more. All performances take place at Mum Puppettheatre, 115 Arch Street, in Old City Philadelphia.

Prior to every Velveteen Rabbit performance, children will enjoy coloring their own picture of the Velveteen Rabbit, and as always, after the show, families are encouraged to take a captivating look behind the scenes and find out what happens behind the puppet stage! A long-standing Mum tradition, children will delight in asking questions and finding out how theatre magic is made.

Families who enjoy The Velveteen Rabbit will love Mum's whole season! Following this production, the 2005-2006 Family Series will feature another installment of Mum's ongoing "Boy and Dog" series with The Adventures of a Boy and His Dog in Outer Space. Mum also produces a three-show Evening Series this year for adults. Tickets for all shows can be purchased Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm, by calling 215-925-7MUM; or 24 hours a day by logging on to www.mumpuppet.org. Mum Puppettheatre also offers gift certificates, which make a unique present for all ages!

Mum Puppettheatre makes art that moves, creating theatre beyond the scope of human actors, often without words. We integrate the plastic, visual and performing arts by creating stunning, emotionally compelling and breathtakingly beautiful theatre, using puppets, masks and the human body. Our mission is to collaborate with artists of all disciplines and backgrounds to explore the interdisciplinary nature of puppetry, and share the results with people of all ages, independent of language or culture, on stage, on tour and in the classroom.

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