Dance Troupe Drops Rabbit From Act; It Caught Fire on Stage

A dance troupe has dropped plans to pull a live rabbit from a flaming dish during performances of “The Nutcracker” because the animal caught fire during a rehearsal.

The Wisconsin Dance Ensemble was conducting the dress rehearsal Tuesday when the rabbit’s coat caught fire, sending it fleeing across the stage.

“Some of the hair got caught, but we put the fire out right on stage,” said Jo Jean Retrum, the production’s director. “We just wrapped a coat around the rabbit and took it to a vet right away. It’s fine.”

Madison Fire Marshal Clair Dirienzo said the trick violated a city ordinance that requires the fire chief’s permission and a firefighter’s presence off stage.