BWW Reviews: Tressed for Success - The Pumpkin Theatre's RAPUNZEL

The Pumpkin Theatre is making magic with its charming production of Rapunzel. Its colorful sets, elaborate costumes and lively performances pull the audience into a fantasy land of vengeful witches, damsels in distress and princes on heroic quests.

Children will be entranced and so will their parents.

The classic story of a follically challenged girl trapped in a tower gets an appealing and comical twist. The hapless Prince Brain (Michael Perrie Jr.) finds his inner hero with the help of his exasperated but entertaining sidekick, Simon the Valet (Greg Guyton), as they set out to trick the witch, rescue Rapunzel, find a purpose and discover a little romance along the way.

As Rapunzel and the Prince venture down from the tower, through the woods and out into the wide world, both adults and children will appreciate how they struggle with gaining independence and figuring out how things work.  Elisa Dugan is a sweet and determined Rapunzel who finds there‘s more to a girl than her hair.

Meanwhile back at the enchanted ranch, the witch played with diva-like aplomb by Michele Jenkins Guyton, learns how to deal with empty nest syndrome.

The high-spirited cast includes Stacey Needle as one of the Storytellers, and Holly Gibbs, whose roles include a comical and imperious turn as the Queen.

Fairy Tales continue to captivate with popular adaptations popping up all over these days.   The stories can be transformed to adapt to different audiences without losing their essence. 

The power of theater is in its ability to transport the audience to another time and place.  One little boy turned to his mother and asked “Is it real?”.  Now that’s good theater for any age.

The production is directed by James Hunnicut with costumes by Wil Crowther, set by Ryan Michael Haase and musical direction by Jeff Baker

The next performances take place on December 17 & 18 at 1 and 3pm at St. Timothy’s School, 8400 Greenspring  Avenue. Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 at the door.  You can call the box office at 410 828 1814 or visit the website at www.pumpkintheatre.com.

Tina works for the Murphy Initiative for Justice and Peace. She loves art in all its forms and fell under the spell of theater ever since seeing a "A Little Night Music" on Broadway as a child.

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