Rapunzel and Rumpelstiltskin
Two fairy tale classics collide in this fast-paced comedy for all ages. Dame Gothel prepares for a ball with the assistance of her magical minions, Rumpelstiltskin and Hob. Her young daughter Rapunzel ruins the festivities when she cuts her own hair. Dame Gothel banishes her to the tower until her hair looks normal again. Hob, after some awkward failures, places a spell on Rapunzel to make her hair grow faster. Her hair keeps growing, but her social-climbing mother keeps finding ridiculous reasons to keep her locked up. Freedom seems out of reach, especially when a spell turns every pair of scissors into lizards! When the King issues a proclamation that whoever can create gold can marry his son, Rumpelstiltskin uses a spinning wheel to turn Rapunzel’s hair into the precious metal. But his help comes at a high price. A charade scene with the Prince himself adds tons of laughter—until he’s turned into a lump of silver! Will she and Hob ever be able to figure out Rumpelstiltskin’s name to save the Prince and their future happiness together? Premiered at the Victoria Theatre in Dayton, Ohio.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
Playwright Stacey Lane Talks About
“Rapunzel and Rumpelstiltskin”
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?
I have long loved the imagery of golden hair flowing from a tower window, but did not care for the damsel in distress counting on some strange prince to deliver her freedom. Likewise, I enjoyed the game of trying to guess Rumpelstiltskin’s name, but did not appreciate the inconceivable cruelty of most of the people in the story. Combining the adventures of the two silliest names in fairy tale history allowed me to keep the best parts and create new humorous twists and turns.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY? WHY?
Favorite part: The charades scene where Rapunzel and Hob guess Rumpelstiltskin’s name. The setup allows the actors plenty of opportunities for physical comedy. The little ones in the audience delight in knowing the answer when the characters on stage do not.
Favorite line: Rapunzel: “Sterling, I think you know what the hair out the window means.”
This line always get a big laugh. Audience members can relate to it, although I doubt that they have ever heard anyone say it before.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE CHARACTERS.
Rapunzel and Rumpelstiltskin are classic fairy tale archetypes with my own comical spin. I ask why our beloved heroes and villains do the bizarre things that they do. Every character I write is based on every person I have ever met or read about.
WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?
My passion for plays began when I was a young actor in children’s theatre. In writing for youth, I strive to spark a lifelong love for the performing arts and the written word in our kids, while keeping the parents laughing too.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
Thank you for supporting theatre for young audiences. Break a leg!