Performances of “The Velveteen Rabbit: A Christmas Musical” are 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28.

“The Velveteen Rabbit,” tells the story of a stuffed rabbit (played by Karina Koracan) given to a small boy named Michael (Emmett Gaalswyk) as a Christmas present.

At first, Michael prefers the mechanical toys but later comes to love the velveteen rabbit the most. The rabbit hopes to someday be a real rabbit, but can only achieve this through the love of his owner. The story follows the relationship between the boy and rabbit as he grows older.

This production of the story emphasizes the Christmas elements of the story. Several classic Christmas songs are interwoven through the play but sung using different lyrics based on the Velveteen Rabbit story.

The Velveteen Rabbit, played by Karina Koracan, climbs out of a sack after being thrown away.

Actors range in age from 8 to their 60’s. The play is directed by Sarah Tetzloff, with Bonnie Lantz as assistant director. Undertaking costume design and prop selection are Deborah Ingle and designing and constructing the set were done by Eric Fliszar. Lantz and Ingle are also cast in the production.

The play has been in rehearsal since late September. Tetzloff described the play as a heartwarming Christmas tale. She praised the cast for making it a fun experience.

“I’ve been having a lot of fun with the actors it has been great working with them,” Tetzloff said.

Another fun aspect of the play is the set. The musical has two set locations, Michael’s bedroom and the woods outside the house. Fliszar was able to create two sets in a single location. The main set was built on wheels that can rotate during scenes.

The cast can spin the bedroom scene around to the outdoors set within 20 seconds.

Assistant director Lantz added the details to the bedroom scene, painting letter block stools for the toy characters and detailing the wallpaper. Lantz said she used every trick to bring the set to life. The set even includes a picture of the original Velveteen Rabbit book cover.

Lantz said one of the best parts of doing this production is everyone likes the legend of toy rabbits coming to life through love.

The musical promises to be fun for the whole family. The first production starts immediately following the New Ulm Parade of Lights. Following the Sunday matinee performance, audience members are invited backstage to meet the cast and enjoy cookies and hot cocoa.

Tickets for performances are available at the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce, New Ulm Hy-Vee, and online at statestreetnewulm.org. Patrons are asked to park either in the theater parking lot off Washington Street or on the street.

The Velveteen Rabbit: A Christmas Musical is presented by special arrangement with Art-Reach Children’s Theater Plays. The production is also made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board and legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.