Peter Rabbit and Friends

Adapted from the tales of By Danielle Fitzpatrick

Characters: 1. 13. Goody Tiptoes 2. Mrs. Rabbit 14.Twinkleberry 3. Flopsy 15.Squirrel Nutkin 4. Mopsy 16.Old Brown 5. Cottontail 17.Jeremy Fisher 6. Sparrow 1 18.Jack Sharp 7. Sparrow 2 19.The Beetle 8. Benjamin Bunny 20.The Trout 9. Miss Moppet 21.Sir Isaac Newton 10.Tailor of Gloucester 22.Ptolemy Tortoise 11. Appley Dapply 23.Squirrels 12.Timmy Tiptoes

Musical Numbers: Gray Squirrel Hop Old Squirrel Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley Grow Little Peter Rabbit Little Bunny Foo Foo The Little Mice Benjamin Bunny Here We Go Round the Raspberry Bush The Fishin’ Hole Opening Number Finale Manners

1 Scene 1 (Projection: Landscape watercolor by Beatrix Potter)

(Mother is sweeping the house. Peter is napping in the corner. Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail are sitting and rolling an acorn on the floor.)

Track # 1: Opening Number

Mother: Peter… Peter… time to wake up.

(Peter wakes up.)

Mother: Now my dears, it is a beautiful morning. You may go out to play.

Flopsy: May we go into the field?

Mother: Yes.

Mopsy: May we go down the lane?

Mother: Yes.

Cottontail: May we go in Mr. McGregor’s garden?

Mother: NO! Your Father had an accident there and was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor. Now, run along and don’t get in any mischief.

Flopsy: Let’s go down the lane to gather raspberries.

Mopsy: Peter, do you want to come?

Peter: No. I am going to Mr. McGregor’s garden for some vegetables.

Cottontail: Peter, you are going to get in trouble!

Peter: No I won’t. No one will ever find out.

(Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail skip off. Peter crosses stage to Mr. MgGregor’s garden.)

Peter: Ooooh! Carrots! Beans!!! Radishes!!!!!!!

2 (Peter pretends to eat.)

Track # 2: Little Bunny Foo Foo

Peter: I will take some home to Mother. She will be so happy with me.

(starts to cross the stage as Mr. McGregor enters.)

Mr. McGregor: Stop!! Thief!!!

(chases Peter with a rake. They run off stage and back on. They run off stage again and only Peter runs back on, but he is tangled in a net. Both shoes are gone. Peter lays down and begins to cry.)

Sparrow 1: Why are you crying?

Peter: I have lost my shoes and now I am stuck in this net.

Sparrow 2: Peter, you have to try to get away. Mr. McGregor is coming!

(Mr. McGregor enters with a bucket. Sparrows fly away. Peter squirms out of his jacket and runs off stage. Mr. McGregor follows him. Peter re-enters and hides in a barrel. Mr. McGregor enters.)

Mr. McGregor: Here Leetle Rabbit. Here Bunny Bunny.

Peter: Ahhh...ahhhh.. Ahhhh… choo!

(Mr. McGregor sees him jump out of the barrel and run off stage. Mr. McGregor waves a hand after him, appearing too tired to chase after Peter. Mr. McGregor exits. Peter sneaks back in and begins to cry. Appley Dapply enters.)

Appley Dapply: Why are you crying?

Peter: I’m lost. I can’t find my way out of the garden. Can you help me?

Appley Dapply: No. I have to take peas and beans to my family in the wood.

Track # 3: Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley Grow

3 (Appley Dapply exits. Miss Moppet enters.)

Miss Moppet: (licking her lips) Hello! Can I…. help you?

Peter: Um… no thanks.

(Miss Moppet exits as Mr. McGregor enters.)

Peter: There is the gate. Just past Mr. McGregor. Here I go!

(runs past Mr. McGregor who chases him offstage with a rake. Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail enter with baskets.)

Track #4: Here We Go round the Raspberry bush

Flopsy: Won’t Mother be so pleased with these berries?

Mopsy: Yes, she will.

Cottontail: I wonder what Peter was doing today.

(Projection of scarecrow from the book)

Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail (together): Uh, oh. (they point to the projection)

(Mother enters with Peter whose head is down.)

Flopsy: Look Mother!

Mopsy: Raspberries!

Mother: What good little bunnies. You will have raspberries and cream for supper.

Peter: Ahhh--choo!

Mother: Peter is not well and will be going straight to bed after taking his medicine.

(Peter pretends to go to sleep. Other bunnies pretend to eat. The Tailor of Gloucester enters.)

4 Mother: Come in, Tailor of Gloucester. I am so glad you are here. I need a little coat for my son Peter.

Tailor: Again!?!?! I just made him a little coat.

Mother: It seems he has lost his coat again. I just can’t imagine what keeps happening to them?!?!

Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail (together): Heee heeee heee.

Track # 5: Little Peter Rabbit

(lights down.)

(all exit.)

Scene 2 The Tale of Jeremy Fisher

(Preset Jeremy Fisher.) (lights up) (Projection: Three White Water Lily’s 1906)

Jeremy: I will get some worms and go fishing for my dinner.

(Takes fishing basket and rod and crosses stage.)

Track # 6: The Fishin’ Hole

(Sparrows enter)

Sparrow 1: Where are you going, Mr. Fisher?

Jeremy: Fishing. I want to catch 5 fish. I will have my friends join me for dinner.

(Sparrows exit. Jeremy sits on lilypad and begins to fish.)

Jeremy: (after a long pause) This is getting tiresome. I think I should like some lunch.

(Beetle enters and pokes Jeremy.)

5 Jeremy: Yikes! You scared me! Shoo shoo you bothersome beetle!

(Jack Sharp enters and takes fishing line)

Jeremy: I think I have caught a minnow!

Jack: No, you didn’t! You caught me. And I am covered in spikes, so look out!

(Jack exits as the Trout enters.)

Jeremy: I think I have caught a minnow!

Trout: No, you didn’t! You caught ME! And now I am going to catch YOU!

(Trout chases Jeremy around the lilypad. Sparrows laugh at them. Trout exits.)

Jeremy: I have lost my rod and basket, but it does not matter. For I will never dare to go fishing again!

(Sir Isaac Newton and Sir Ptolemy Tortoise enter.)

Jeremy: Welcome, my friends! I am glad you are here. But I am so sad. I have no food to serve you.

Isaac: No worries. I picked up a nice fat grasshopper on the way here.

Ptolemy: And I brought a bag of salad.

Jeremy: Wonderful! Then let’s eat!

(Lights down)

(all exit)

Scene 3 The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

(Projection: Title= The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin and cover image.)

(Timmy and Goody Tiptoes preset.)

6 (lights up)

Track #7: Hop Old Squirrel

Timmy: Little wife Goody, we must store up nuts for the winter.

Goody: Yes, we must go to Owl Island, for the nuts are plentiful there.

(they approach other squirrels.)

Twinkleberry: Where are you going?

Timmy: We are going to Owl Island to gather nuts.

Twinkleberry: Can we come?

Goody: Yes, but you will need to bring a gift for the old owl, or he will not welcome you on his island.

Track #8: Gray Squirrel

(all squirrels cross stage to an old tree. Old Brown enters. Squirrels each approach Old Brown, bow, and offer him a present.)

Squirrels (together): A gift of fat mice for Mr. Brown.

Twinkleberry: May we gather nuts on your island?

(Old Brown nods and takes presents. Squirrels pretend to gather nuts in baskets, except Nutkin.)

Twinkleberry: Nutkin, won’t you come and help?

Nutkin: Nah. (to Old Brown) Riddle me, riddle me, riddle me ree. You’re an Old Owl and you can’t catch me.

(Squirrels pick up bags and exit, as Nutkin sticks out tongue and runs off.)

7 (Projection: Script font “The next day…” with an image of the squirrels sailing to Owl Island.)

(Squirrels each approach Old Brown, bow, and offer him a present.)

Squirrels (together): A gift of a fine plump mole for Mr. Brown.

Twinkleberry: May we gather nuts on your island?

(Old Brown nods and takes presents. Squirrels pretend to gather nuts in baskets, except Nutkin who begins to skip around them.)

Twinkleberry: Nutkin, won’t you come and help?

Nutkin: Nah. (to Old Brown) Riddle me, riddle me, riddle me ree. You’re an Old Owl and you can’t catch me.

(Squirrels pick up bags and exit, as Nutkin sticks out tongue and runs off.)

(Projection: Script font “The next day…” with an image of the squirrels fishing.)

(Squirrels enter, each approach Old Brown, bow, and offer him a present.)

Squirrels (together): A gift of little silver minnows for Mr. Brown.

Twinkleberry: May we gather nuts on your island?

(Old Brown nods and takes presents. Squirrels pretend to gather nuts in baskets, except Nutkin who lies down and looks at the sky.)

Squirrels (together): Nutkin, won’t you come and help?

Nutkin: Nah. (to Old Brown) Riddle me, riddle me, riddle me ree. You’re an Old Owl and you can’t catch me.

(Squirrels take bags and exit, as Nutkin sticks out tongue and runs off.)

(Projection: Script font “The next day…” with an image of the squirrels running down the path.)

8 (Squirrels each approach Old Brown, bow, and offer him a present.)

Squirrels (together): A gift of chunky black beetles for Mr. Brown.

Twinkleberry: May we gather nuts on your island?

(Old Brown nods and takes presents. Squirrels pretend to gather nuts in baskets, except Nutkin, who begins to play with pinecones.)

Squirrels: Nutkin, won’t you come and help?

Nutkin: Nah. (to Old Brown) Riddle me, riddle me, riddle me ree. You’re an Old Owl and you can’t catch me.

(Squirrels take bags and exit, as Nutkin sticks out tongue and runs off.)

(Projection: Script font “The next day…” with an image of the squirrels sailing to Owl Island.)

(Squirrels each approach Old Brown, bow, and offer him a present.)

Squirrels (together): A gift of wild honey for Mr. Brown.

Twinkleberry: May we gather nuts on your island?

(Old Brown nods and takes presents. Squirrels pretend to gather nuts in baskets, except Nutkin who tickles Old Brown with a feather.)

Nutkin: Riddle me, riddle me, riddle me ree. You’re an Old Owl and you can’t catch me.

(Owl lunges forward and grabs at Nutkin. Tail comes off and Nutkin runs off.)

Twinkleberry: Well, Nutkin. Riddle me, riddle me, riddle me rail. You didn’t do any work and now you lost your tail.

Timmy: At least we have enough nuts to last us the winter.

Goody: And I think Old Brown has taught Nutkin some manners.

Track # 9: Manners

9 (lights down.)

(all exit)

(scene change)

Scene 4 The Tale of Benjamin Bunny

(Peter and Benjamin preset off to the side. Peter is wrapped in a blanket and is shivering. Mother, Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail enter when lights come up.)

(lights up)

Mother: Cottontail, go fetch some chamomile so I can make more medicine for Peter.

(Cottontail runs off.)

Benjamin: Hello, Peter!

Peter: (sounding downtrodden) Oh, hello, Benjamin.

Benjamin: Peter, what happened to your clothes?!?

Peter: I don’t want to talk about it.

Benjamin: Come on! You can tell your cousin.

Peter: The scarecrow in Mr. McGregor’s garden.

Benjamin: I just saw Mr. McGregor and his wife heading in to town.

Mother: (calling) Peter, I will be right back with some medicine. (she exits)

Peter: (to Benjamin) Let’s get out of here!

(Flopsy and Mopsy exit. Peter and Benjamin move to center stage.)

(Projection: image of scarecrow from book)

10 Benjamin: Look, Peter! I see your clothes. Let’s go get them.

(Peter takes clothes and puts them on.)

Benjamin: Let’s gather these vegetables and carry them home for your Mother.

Peter: I don’t know, Benjamin. I keep hearing noises.

(Benjamin puts veggies in blanket. As Peter walks, the veggies pour out the back. Miss Moppet enters and plops down and begins grooming herself.)

Peter: B..b...b...b..benjamin! Look! A c..c...c...cat!!

Benjamin: Quick. Hide under here!

(They hide under a box.)

Miss Moppet: (sniffing) I smell onions. I love the smell of onions.

(Miss Moppet sits on the box)

Peter: Benjamin, what are we going to do??

Benjamin: We are going to have to wait.

(Projection: In script font= “Five hours later…”)

(Tailor of Gloucester and Appley Dapply enter.)

Track # 10: The Little Mice

Miss Moppet: Meow!

(Miss Moppet chases mice. Benjamin and Peter climb out from box. Tailor of Gloucester and Appley Dapply enter.)

Tailor of Gloucester: I have locked the kitten in the greenhouse.

Appley Dapply: And I have picked up your vegetables for you.

11 Peter: Thank you so much!

Benjamin: What can we do to repay you?

Tailor of Gloucester: Promise me you will NEVER go in Mr. McGregor’s garden again!

Benjamin and Peter (together): Yes, Sir.

(all three exit as Mr. McGregor enters.)

Mr. McGregor: Curious and curiouser. Who left all these footprints around my garden? Who locked the kitten in the greenhouse? And what happened to my scarecrow?? This has been a most perplexing afternoon.

Track # 11: Benjamin Bunny

(Mr. McGregor exits. Peter, Mother, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail all enter.)

Peter: Mother, I am sorry I went to Mr. McGregor’s garden.

Mother: I am happy that you got back your coat and shoes. I forgive you. Now, little bunnies, let’s prepare these lovely vegetables for supper.

Track #12: Finale

Lyrics Sheet:

Little Peter Rabbit Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nose 3xs So he flipped it and he flopped it and it flew away.

Little Peter Rabbit had a very floppy ear 3xs So he flipped it and he flopped it and it stood straight up.

Little Peter Rabbit caught his coat upon a net 3xs So he flipped it and he flopped it and it came right off.

Little Peter Rabbit lost his shoe among the leaves 3xs

12 So he flipped and he flopped under the garden gate.

Little Peter Rabbit hid inside a water barrel 3xs So he sniffed and he sneezed and he jumped right out.

Little Peter Rabbit had a cold upon his chest 3xs So he had to drink chamomile tea.

The Fishin’ Hole Well now take down your fishin’ pole And meet me at the fishin’ hole. We may not get a bite all day But don’t you rushaway. Whether it’s hot Whether it’s cool. Oh, what a spot, For whistling like a fool. What a fine day to take a stroll And wander by the fishing hole. I can’t think of a better way To pass the time of day.

Here We Go Round The Raspberry Bush Here we go round the raspberry bush, the raspberry bush, the raspberry bush. Here we go round the raspberry bush, so early in the morning.

(Peter) Here we go round the vegetable patch, the vegetable patch, the vegetable patch Here we go round the vegetable patch, so late in the afternoon.

Little Bunny Foo Foo Little Peter Rabbit went hopping through the garden Scooping up the radishes and popping them in his mouth. Down came Miss Moppet and SHE said Little Peter Rabbit, I don’t want to see you Scooping up the radishes and popping them in your mouth. I’ll give you three chances to be good Or McGregor will turn YOU into a pie. So the next day…. Little Peter Rabbit went hopping through the garden Scooping up the radishes and popping them in his mouth. Down came the sparrows and THEY said Little Peter Rabbit, we don’t want to see you Scooping up the radishes and popping them in your mouth. We’ll give you two chances to be good Or McGregor will turn YOU into a pie. So the next day….

13 Little Peter Rabbit went hopping through the garden Scooping up the radishes and popping them in his mouth. Down came Mr. McGregor and HE said Little Peter Rabbit, I don’t want to see you Scooping up the radishes and popping them in your mouth. I’ll give you one more chance to be good Or I will turn YOU into a pie.

Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley Grow Oats, peas, beans and barley grow 2xs Do you or I or anyone know how oats and beans and barley grow?

First the farmer plants the seeds, Stands up tall and takes his ease, Stamps his feat and claps his hands, And turns around to view his lands.

Then the farmer watches the ground, Watches the sun shine all around, Stamps his feat and claps his hands, And turns around to view his lands.

14