In 1880, before he had written such classics as "Treasure Island," "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and "Kidnapped," he went through what every writer eventually encounters; writer's block. So, he decided to clean his slate and go back to his childhood memories to both comfort and inspire him. The result came in a book of poems that was later named "A Child's Garden of Verses."

The story behind that book can be seen in the Melting Pot Theatre's season opener A Child's Garden playing Off-Broadway at Theatre 3 Dec. 5-Jan. 14. The production officially opens Dec. 10. The fictional musical by Louis Rosen, Arthur Perlman, and Charlotte Maier is based on the autobiographical writings of author Robert Louis Stevenson.

Lori Steinberg directs the play which stars Rebecca Bellingham, Aloysius Gigl, Thomas Scott Parker, Tony Speciale and Jessica Walling. Rosen, who won the 1992 Gilman & Gonzalez-Falla Award for his work on this play, composed the music himself and co-wrote the libretto with Perlman and Maier.

The production includes choreography by Robert La Fosse and musical direction by Brad Vieth and Steve Silverstein. Filling out the rest of the creative team are Michael Lincoln with lights, Kris Stone with sets, and Sue Gandy with costumes.

A Child’s Garden plays at Theatre 3, 311 West 43rd St. (between 8th and 9th Ave.) through Jan. 14. Tickets will be handled by Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200. — by Ernio Hernandez