KB Family

Script & Lyrics by Mo Willems
Music By Michael Silversher
Directed by Benjamin Cole
Costume Design: Debby Goyette
Lighting Design: Ryan Ford

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical is a family-friendly musical based on a children's book by Mo Willems. Trixie, her father, and her favorite stuffed bunny go on an adventure to the laundromat. 

The scenic design for this show was minimal - a few important props and black curtains as the backdrop. The production relied heavily on the costumes, lights and projections to help tell the story. The projections were especially important in depicting the physical location a scene took place in. We were also interested in exploring the idea of seeing the world through Trixie's eyes. 

In the musical number Walkin' Dad With His Girl, Dad is telling Trixie about the things they pass by on their walk to the laundromat, but Trixie can hardly contain her excitement as she interrupts his song with thoughts of her own. We learn that Trixie doesn't speak words yet, but she has created her own sort of language that sounds like gibberish to her dad. In these moments, the projections transition from the realistic images of the neighborhood into hand drawn versions of what I image Trixie is singing about.

There are moments when Dad and Trixie are singing together - Trixie's drawing are layered on top of the realistic image.

Bakery

Trixie is having a wonderful time with her dad until she realizes that she has left Knuffle Bunny at the laundromat. She tries to convince her dad to go back to the laundromat but he can't understand. She sings a ballad to her bunny as she reminisces the good times they've had together. Hand drawn images and stylized videos of her memories accompany her song.