The Velveteen Rabbit

When a child loves a toy, that toy becomes real to the child. But is there any magic that can make a toy truly real? The Velveteen Rabbit has been loved by generations of families.

In the production, a strobe light is used to simulate lightning.

The Velveteen Rabbit and Some Enchanted Evening will be in repertory, alternating weeks. The Velveteen Rabbit performances are Apr. 16-18 & Apr. 30-May 2, 2021. Note: The Velveteen Rabbit is presented in the John Viars Theatre.

If you are using credit, a gift certificate, or a Guest Pass for your seats, please click here or call the ticket office at 515.277.6261 to make your reservation. Ticket office hours are Noon-3:00 PM, Tuesdays-Fridays.

Click here to read our reopening procedures.

To make theatre accessible to the entire community, The Playhouse offered a free preview night performance, Thursday, Apr. 15, 2021. Donations were accepted. Donations help keep theatre and performing arts in Central Iowa (a)live. Click here to make a reservation for preview night.

For those not yet ready to come into the theatre:

The Playhouse provided a Livestream on opening night, Friday, Apr. 16, 2021.
The Playhouse will offer video-on-demand Apr. 23-25 & May 7-9, 2021. Click here to purchase video-on-demand.

Livestream and Video-on-demand (VOD) guidance:

  • When you order a streaming option, you will receive a link in Your Confirmation email that comes from djacobson@dmplayhouse.com. (Check your junk/spam folder as it sometimes ends up there.)
  • The stream can be cast to your smart TV if your TV can accept casting. (The newer models do.) Or if you have ROKU or Chromecast, they too can accept your casting.
  • If you purchase VOD, you can watch the video as many times as you want in a 24 hour period from the first time you start the video. Your link can only be used on one device.
  • For both Livestream and VOD, there are three cameras in the house. While there are some varied angles, there are no movie/Hamilton on Disney+ close-ups. This is not a film; it is a recording of a live theatre production.
  • FAQ: Why is video-on-demand only offered for a limited number of days? As with live performances, The Playhouse has to pay royalties on the show.

 

Click here to download a digital The Velveteen Rabbit P Bill Jr. The Download Playbill link below is for the main playbill.

Performance Times:
7:00 PM Fridays, 1:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays; Apr. 16-18 & Apr. 30-May 2, 2021
Theatre:
Kate Goldman Children's Theatre Presented in the John Viars Theatre
Run Time:
60 minutes; performed without intermission
Content Advisory:
Playhouse children’s theatre productions are intended for ages 5 and up.

Company

  • Corley Blackford

    Velveteen Rabbit

    Corley Blackford
  • Ella Frost

    Ensemble

    Ella Frost
  • Ava Gifford

    Ensemble

    Ava Gifford
  • Michael Howland

    Ensemble

    Michael Howland
  • Caroline Johnson

    Nana / Jabberwocky

    Caroline Johnson
  • Finley Snavely

    The Child

    Finley Snavely
  • Oliver Thrun

    Ensemble

    Oliver Thrun
  • Charissa Hamel

    Director

    Charissa Hamel
  • Jay Jagim

    Scenic Designer

    Jay Jagim
  • Angela Lampe

    Costume Designer / Properties Designer

    Angela Lampe
  • Virgil Kleinhesselink

    Lighting Designer

    Virgil Kleinhesselink
  • Pilar Burg

    Stage Manager

    Pilar Burg
  • Kerrie Lee

    Assistant Stage Manager

    Kerrie Lee

Photos/Video

  • Corley Blackford is The Rabbit and Finley Snavely is The Child in The Velveteen Rabbit, Apr. 16-May 2, 2021, at The Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Finley Snavely is The Child and Corley Blackford is The Rabbit in The Velveteen Rabbit, Apr. 16-May 2, 2021, at The Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Finley Snavely is The Child and Corley Blackford is The Rabbit in The Velveteen Rabbit, Apr. 16-May 2, 2021, at The Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kill Date: May 9, 2021 Subject: Des Moines Playhouse Presents Some Enchanted Evening and The Velveteen Rabbit in repertory Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing Associate, 515.974.5358 The Des Moines Playhouse continues to successfully present live theatre with two shows this spring, Some Enchanted Evening – The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein, Apr. 9-May 9, 2021, and, for families, The Velveteen Rabbit, Apr. 16-May 2, 2021. In-person performances will be presented in repertory, alternating shows by the week, in the John Viars Theatre. Opening night livestream and two weekends of video-on-demand will also be offered for both shows. Some Enchanted Evening – The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein and The Velveteen Rabbit are performed without intermission. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com or by phone at 515.277.6261. Broadway icons Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II are celebrated in a musical revue of songs from Carousel, Cinderella, Oklahoma!, South Pacific, The Sound of Music, and more. Five singers share more than 30 memorable numbers including "My Favorite Things," "Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'," "Shall We Dance?," and, of course, "Some Enchanted Evening." The cast includes Dani Boal, Amy Burgmaier, Bridget Johnston, Matthew Nicholson, and Jake Parks. Katy Merriman is director/music director. Iowa PBS is media sponsor for Some Enchanted Evening – The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein. When a child loves a toy, that toy becomes real to the child. But is there any magic that can make a toy truly real? The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams has been loved by generations of families. The cast features Corley Blackford, Ella Frost, Ava Gifford, Michael Howland, Caroline Johnson, Finley Snavely, and Oliver Thrun and is directed by Charissa Hamel. The Velveteen Rabbit is presented by Nationwide with Iowa PBS as media sponsor. Full safety guidelines are posted on the theatre's website, dmplayhouse.com, and have been updated according to recent recommendations from health officials. Although vaccination numbers are increasing, all in-person guests, volunteers, and staff, must wear a mask at all times, even while seated for the performances. The Playhouse is Iowa's oldest and largest producing theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a season of shows every year since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage. For more information about The Playhouse, Some Enchanted Evening – The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein, and The Velveteen Rabbit, visit The Playhouse website at www.dmplayhouse.com or contact The Playhouse at 515.277.6261. Ticket office hours are Noon-3:00 PM, Tuesdays-Fridays. Some Enchanted Evening – The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein Performances In-person: 7:30 PM Thursdays-Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays, Apr. 9-11, Apr. 22-25, & May 6-9, 2021 Livestream: 7:30 PM, Friday, Apr. 9, 2021 On-Demand: Apr. 16-18 & Apr. 30-May 2, 2021 Tickets for in-person performances are $29 per person, all ages Livestream and on-demand are $25 per device, one viewing Purchase at dmplayhouse.com The Velveteen Rabbit Performances In-person: 7:00 PM Fridays & 1:00 PM Saturdays-Sundays, Apr. 16-18 & Apr. 30-May 2, 2021 Livestream: 7:00 PM, Friday, Apr. 16, 2021 On-Demand: Apr. 23-25 & May 7-9, 2021 Tickets for in-person performances are $15 per person, all ages Livestream and on-demand are $15 per device, one viewing Purchase at dmplayhouse.com School matinees are available by contacting Robin Spahr, education director, at 515.974.5365.   ###  

Show Credits

By Patrick Flynn
Based on the book by Margery Williams

Sponsored by

  • Nationwide
  • Iowa PBS