Cincinnati Playhouse's RAPUNZEL Offers Fairy Tale, Friendship And Female Empowerment

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's Off the Hill production of RAPUNZEL will begin touring community centers around the region beginning April 6. A charming adaptation of the beloved fairy tale, the production travels from Oxford to Columbia Tusculum to Covington, and other places in between, before it closes May 20.

In this story, young Rapunzel lives in a tower with her overprotective grandmother, safe from the dangers of the world. As her curiosity about the outside grows, Rapunzel meets Rafi, a local boy whose friendship finally gives her the courage to be free.

With a script from award-winning playwright Mike Kenny, RAPUNZEL stays faithful to its fairytale setting that fans of The Brothers Grimm adaptation have come to know and love, while offering a nuanced perspective of independence, friendship, and family relationships. The production will feature magical design elements from Playhouse artisans and is directed by Playhouse Director of Education and Community Engagement Daunielle Rasmussen.

"One of the things I love about this version is that it's not about a boy saving a girl," says Rasmussen, who emphasizes that the show celebrates both male and female empowerment. "Their friendship brings meaning to the girl. She finds her own life and she finds her own destiny that's different from his."

The story also explores how the relationship between Rapunzel and Nana changes as Rapunzel matures. Nana must learn that she cannot keep her granddaughter safe from the world no matter how scary it is. It is a theme that Rasmussen hopes will resonate with parents today.

"It's really a story about growing up. It's about becoming your own person as a child, and as a parent, it's about letting your child become their own person while still providing a sanctuary where they can become who they're meant to be," adds Rasmussen.

RAPUNZEL tours the Greater Cincinnati area from April 6 to May 20, 2018 and is appropriate for ages 4 and up. For information on locations and tickets, visit cincyplay.com.

Off the Hill is supported by The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation, The Charles H. Dater Foundation, John C. Griswold and KeyBank.The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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