Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical
A trip to the Laundromat takes a turn when "somebunny" is left behind in this musical that is full of adventure and gigantic dancing laundry.
Show Essentials
3
Roles
+ Ensemble
G
Rated
1
Act

Full Synopsis

A single screen appears on a black stage. Projected on the screen are familiar New York and Brooklyn landmarks. We end up at Trixie's house. Mom and Dad stand on the stoop, and Mom warns an overconfident Dad how tricky it is to do laundry with Trixie ("Tricky with Trixie"). Nevertheless, Dad and Trixie head off to the Laundromat, Knuffle Bunny in hand.

On the walk to the Laundromat, Trixie continually zooms off, leaving Dad in her dust ("Walkin' Dad"). Dad notices her playing with a pigeon but does not realize that she's having fun; he thinks that pigeons are dirty. He tries to distract her by pointing out a fire truck, but, when the siren goes off, she is terrified. Dad consoles her. He tries to get her to say, "Daddy," but it doesn't work. They head off again ("Walkin' Dad – II").

They arrive at the Laundromat, where Trixie is entranced by the wonder of the machines. Puppeteers join in the washing as Dad tells Trixie all about getting clothes clean ("Wishy Washy"). While they're having a good time with the laundry, Dad accidentally puts Knuffle Bunny in the washer. Dad and Trixie leave the Laundromat to go tell Mom what a good job they did. Trixie realizes that Knuffle Bunny isn't there. She protests to Dad and refuses to go home. When she goes "boneless" and really won't move, Dad tries to figure out what's wrong. Trixie floats into a dream, where she dances with a giant puppet version of Knuffle Bunny ("Aggle Flaggle Klabble"). During the dance, her beloved Knuffle Bunny is taken from her. She comes back to reality, and Dad urges her onward toward home.


Dad and Trixie make their way home through a series of tableaus. We see a less-triumphant Dad pulling an increasingly frustrated Trixie along several Brooklyn streets... then, we see the Pyramids... then, another street, a park – lots of time has passed. Dad finally snaps at Trixie and immediately feels bad. He doesn't know what's wrong but he promises that he's doing his best ("Really, Really I Love You"). Finally, they make it home, and Mom knows right away. She asks Dad where Knuffle Bunny is. He realizes that he doesn't know. They all rush back to the Laundromat.

The family is at the Laundromat. Dad searches valiantly for Knuffle Bunny in each of the three washers but, alas, he cannot find it. Trixie begins to go sadly back to her dream world, but Dad cuts her off and renews the search ("Aggle Flaggle Klabble"). Mom tells Trixie that, even though things sometimes go badly with Daddy, he always comes out in the end ("Don't Worry"). During this sequence, Dad battles bravely with various clothes-puppets and the three washers. In a huge sequence, Dad defeats the menacing snake tie and other clothes-puppets to rescue Knuffle Bunny. Dad emerges victorious, and Trixie speaks her first words: "Knuffle Bunny!" The family is thrilled. As they celebrate, Trixie's vocabulary grows ("Knuffle Bunny"). The family reunites on the stoop; they all agree that this is the last time that Dad will do the laundry. As they go inside, a pigeon swoops down and steals Knuffle Bunny off of the stoop. Offstage, we hear Trixie call after her Knuffle Bunny.

Casting
← Back to Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical
Cast Size: Small (Up to 10 performers)
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Mom
A new mother who is adjusting to life with a child. She is loving, caring, and slightly exasperated.
Gender: female
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: F#3
Dad
An overconfident, new father who pretends to be the heroic daddy yet is truly a bit incompetent in household maintenance.
Gender: male
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: A2
Trixie
A 16-month-old child, as played by an adult. A simple-minded toddler who loves her stuffed bunny, she is excited and bright-eyed about the world.
Gender: female
Age: 18 to 18
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Puppets (performed By Bunraku Puppeteers)
Clothes; Knuffle Bunny; Pigeon
Full Song List
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical: Tricky With Trixie
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical: Walkin' Dad With His Girl
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical: Washy Washy
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical: Aggle Flaggle Klabble
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical: Really, Really Love You
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical: Don't Worry
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical: Knuffle Bunny!

Show History

Inspiration


Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical is based on the popular children's books, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale and Knuffle Bunny, Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems, who also wrote the book for the musical.

Willems is a #1 New York Times best-selling author and illustrator and has been awarded a Caldecott Honor on three occasions. His debut, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, was inducted into the Indies Choice Picture Book Hall of Fame in 2009. Other favorites include Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed; the Geisel Award-winning Elephant & Piggie series; and City Dog, Country Frog, illustrated by Jon J. Muth. 



About the Books

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale


Trixie, Daddy and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the neighborhood Laundromat, but the exciting adventure takes a dramatic turn when Trixie realizes "somebunny" has been left behind.... 




Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity

Trixie can't wait to bring her one-of-a-kind Knuffle Bunny to school and show him off to everyone. But, when she gets there, she sees something awful: Sonja has the same bunny. Suddenly, Knuffle Bunny doesn't seem so one-of-a-kind anymore. Chaos ensues until the bunnies are taken away by Ms. Greengrove. After school, Trixie finally gets her beloved bunny back. But, in the middle of the night, Trixie realizes something she has the wrong bunny!

Productions


Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical was commissioned in 2010 by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

After a sold out run, the show went on tour around the United States, where it played in 80 cities and 36 states. Knuffle Bunny returned to the Kennedy Center in 2012.

Knuffle Bunny made its international debut at Arad Fort in Arad, Bahrain, as a part of Spring of Culture, the nation's largest cultural event in March of 2012.

Trivia


  • Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical's composer, Michael Silversher, is a Grammy Award winner.
  • The original cast of Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical featured Tony Award-winning actress and puppeteer, Stephanie D Abruzzo.

Critical Reaction

"You're bound to leave the theater smiling"
– DC Theatre Scene

"Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical... is highly recommended for parents and children, as well as the young at heart."
–  MD Theatre Guide

 

PRAISE FOR THE BOOKS:

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale


"Willems once again demonstrates his keen insight with a story that is both witty and wise."
– Publishers Weekly



"A comic gem."
– Booklist



"A seamless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text."
– The Bulletin





Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity


"Not a word or image feels out of place."
– Publishers Weekly 



"Too often, sequels come off as obviously calculated attempts to cash in on success; this offering, with its technical brilliance and its total and sympathetic understanding of the psychology of the preschooler, stands as magnificent in its own right."
– Kirkus Reviews



"Irresistibly funny, tender, and universal, this is another consummate star turn for Trixie, daddy, bunny, and their creator."
– School Library Journal

Connect

Billing

Based on the book, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Production Contract, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on houseboards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.
KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY MUSICAL
(100%)
 
Based on the book KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE by Mo Willems
(50%)
Published by Hyperion Books for Children
(25%)
 
Script and Lyrics by MO WILLEMS
(50%)
Music by MICHAEL SILVERSHER
(50%)
 
You must also provide the following credit on the title page for all programs:
"This play was commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing
Arts and was first produced at the Kennedy Center during the 2009-2010
season."
 
In addition, you must also provide the following credit in advertisements where full production credits are given:
"This play was commissioned by and first produced at the John F. Kennedy
Center for the Performing Arts."
 
In advertisements of 1/4 page size or less, or where only the title of the play, performance dates and venue are provided, the following "shortened billing" is permissible:
KNUFFLE BUNNY:
A CAUTIONARY MUSICAL

Video Warning

In accordance with the Performance License, you MUST include the following warning in all programs and in a pre-show announcement:

ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
LIBRETTO/VOCAL BOOK10
PIANO VOCAL SCORE2
TYA PERFORMANCE TRACKS1

Production Resources

Resource
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
LOGO PACK
LOGO PACK DIGITAL
PRODUCTIONPRO-DIGITAL SCRIPT/SCORE
REFERENCE RECORDING
STAGE WRITE APPLICATION
STREAMING LICENSE