Storybook Theatre’s rendition of Rapunzel opened Friday, August 9, to much applause from friends and family of the young cast. A professional touring theatre company serving the upper Midwest, Storybook Theatre was founded in the summer of 2023 and strives to “bring extraordinary theatrical experiences that educate, challenge, and inspire young artists through summer and school-year programs.”
Beginning August 5, students in grades 1-12 were invited to audition for and perform in Rapunzel. A week of daily rehearsals led up to opening night August 9th and the second performance August 10th. Storybook’s version of Rapunzel made changes to the original story, turning it into a musical lasting just under an hour and featuring multiple new characters. The program was led by Storybook actors Ruby Brisco and Matt Neary, who also played the roles of the Witch and Bart the Bard, respectively.
In the Storybook Theatre version, Rapunzel opens with the cast singing a welcome to the Kingdom of Crescendo. Queen Coda (played by Eilley Nelson) then proclaims that it is the beginning of the “Mourning of the Lost Voice”, a festival established to remember Queen Coda’s daughter, who was kidnapped years before, and whose voice has been missing from the musical kingdom.
The scene then changes to the home of the Bakers, where Mr. Baker (Briar Nelson) is just finishing baking the day’s treats he hopes to sell at the festival. Bart the Bard (Matt Neary) arrives at the home of the Bakers and asks to sample the treats. He does, but is disappointed, revealing that this year Queen Coda will only accept treats made with a magical fruit that grows deep in the woods. Mr. Baker’s son, Bradley (Arden Nelson) volunteers to go find the fruit, so long as Bart goes with him, and that Bradley’s whole family is allowed to attend the festival. Bart agrees, and the two set off for the forest.
Deep in the forest lives the Witch (Ruby Brisco) and her apprentices (Nora Vandoren and Dorian Lavigne). The Witch introduces herself by singing her song in a backstory of how she never wanted to be viewed as the evil Witch, but just wanted to be a rock singer. She then tells her apprentices she has to leave for a time, and they are not to let anyone near Rapunzel’s tower.
Meanwhile, Rapunzel (Brooklyn Goutermont) sits in the tower, and sings a solo about how she is waiting for her life to change, and that someday she may be able to go outside. The Witch arrives, and Rapunzel asks her if she may go see the outside world, but the Witch replies that she is Rapunzel’s mother, and Rapunzel must listen to her. The Witch then leaves to go to town for food.
In the forest, Bradley and Bart are still searching for the magical fruit, when they come across two unicorns, Flour (Liberty Robinson) and Dour (Elara Lanwermeyer), who are on patrol to guard the kingdom. Bradley and Bart ask if the unicorns have seen the magical fruit, and Flour and Dour reply that they have, and would love to go on an adventure with Bradley and Bart to find the fruit.
Back at the kingdom, the festival market is taking place. Performers are entertaining the crowd, and merchants are selling their wares. Jubiloso the Jester (Liberty Robinson) turns a cartwheel as part of her performance. But then the Witch arrives in disguise, inquiring about a particular magical fruit. Queen Coda grows suspicious, and the Witch reacts by freezing the castle and escaping into the forest.
Bradley and Bart have just arrived at the foot of the tallest tower in the forest, where they hear a voice singing. They invite the singer to come down, and Rapunzel is helped out of her tower by Flour and Dour. Bradley and Bart ask her about the fruit, and Rapunzel shows them that it grows at the foot of her tower, inviting them to take what they need. Excited to finally be outside, Rapunzel gladly accepts Bradley and Bart’s invitation to the festival, and they and the unicorns set off for the kingdom. Not long after they begin their journey, though, the Witch’s apprentices confront Rapunzel, and Rapunzel realizes that the woman she believed to be her mother was actually an evil witch.
The Witch, returning to the forest, goes to see Rapunzel but finds her missing. Breaking the fourth wall, the Witch directly asks an audience member where Rapunzel went, and swears revenge on the girl and her traveling companions.
As Rapunzel, Bradley, and Bart walk towards Crescendo, the unicorns are thinking, and they come to the realization that Rapunzel is the lost princess. Rapunzel sings the song that is sung at the Mourning of the Lost Voice, and Bradley and Bart realize she is the princess. The Witch catches up to them, and attempts to freeze them, but they run away just in time, arriving back at the home of the Bakers.
Mr. Baker has been worrying about Bradley not returning with the magical fruit in time, and his daughter Taffy’s (Alivia Ylatupa) snarky remarks have not been helping any. As Bradley enters with the fruit, Mr. Baker attempts to grab it, but Bart refuses to give it to him, informing him that they must first go to the castle, as Rapunzel is the lost princess. Tensions between Mr. Baker and Bart escalate, but Rapunzel steps in between the two, declaring that, “I just found out today my mother is an evil witch.” The whole company goes to the castle, where they find everyone frozen.
Rapunzel realizes that the Witch was the one to freeze the castle, and Bradley suggests that if Rapunzel is the kingdom’s lost voice, she may be able to undo the spell by singing. Rapunzel tries this, and Queen Coda and Jubiloso are unfrozen. Queen Coda embraces her long lost daughter…but all is not yet well.
The Witch arrives on the scene, threatening to freeze everyone and steal back Rapunzel. However, Rapunzel stands up for her people, claiming the kingdom to be where she belongs. “If you’re going to freeze this kingdom, you’re going to have to freeze me, too,” she declares. The Witch relents, and tells Rapunzel that the reason she stole her away from Queen Coda was in revenge for not being allowed to sing rock music in the kingdom. Rapunzel finds this rule ridiculous, and Queen Coda instantly allows rock music and invites her daughter’s kidnapper to rejoin the kingdom. The musical ends with everyone singing together.
Brooklyn Goutermont did an excellent job as the lead, portraying an innocent yet curious Rapunzel. Eilley Nelson as Queen Coda portrayed a grieving yet strong leader. Liberty Robinson shone with full enthusiasm as both Jubiloso and Flour. Arden Nelson brought humor to the role of Bradley Baker, and Briar Nelson brought great expression and physical dynamics to the role of Mr. Baker. Alivia Ylatupa reveled in the sarcastic lines of Taffy Baker. The pessimism of the unicorn Dour was nailed by Elara Lanwermeyer. Nora Vandoren did well with her role of Witch’s apprentice and court dancer, and Dorian Lavigne seemed to shine in the spotlight, constantly grinning throughout the show.
Thanks to Sophie Betzler for running lights and sound, the City of Silver Bay and Storybook Theatre for making this opportunity possible, and a donation from the Silver Bay Charitable Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. Storybook Theatre will return June 23-28, 2025.
