2014 – 2015
Performance Guide for Parents
Includes Story Background, Conversation Guide, Cast & Company Information, and Coloring Page! www.phamaly.org
BACKGROUND
1 Phamaly Theatre Company brings young people, educators, and world-class theatre
together in classrooms and community centers across the Rocky Mountain Region.
Designed to engage students and parents alike, Phamaly’s Touring Program inspires
audiences to think critically about their own perceptions of characters, people, and each
other – while exposing them to the arts, classic literature, and themes of acceptance and
tolerance.
The Grimm Brothers Unpredictable and cruel, the stories collected by Jacob and Wilhelm
Grimm represent how life in Europe was perceived in the early 1800’s.
German cultural researchers, authors, and lexicographers, the brothers
collected and published works of folklore. With the rise of Romanticism
in the 19th century (an artistic and intellectual movement with a focus on
strong emotions – notably terror and horror) came a rise in the
popularity of folklore; and the brothers’ methods for collecting and
recording these stories has become the foundation for modern folklore
studies.
From 1807 until their deaths (Wilhelm in 1859 / Jacob in 1863), the
brothers added to the collection of these stories – often revising the
prose and adding extensive detail to the stories. Many of the stories
were grotesque and included sexual elements and dark themes, and the stories were revised to include
Christian themes and to appeal to an audience of children. This collection of stories has become the brothers’
legacy – collectively known as “Grimm’s Fairy Tales.”
Grimm’s Fairy Tales Handed down from generation to generation through oral
traditions, the Grimm brothers were inspired to record fairy tales to
create a scholarly exposition of regional culture – finding in these
stories examples of past religions, faiths, and fears. Originally
published in 1812, “Children’s and Household Tales” went
through many editions and volumes, with more than 211 tales in
the 1857 edition. Such classic tales from the collection include
Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Little Red Riding
Hood, Rumpelstiltskin, Sleeping Beauty, and – of course- Rapunzel.
“Each step was the hardest. Each
Step was a climb. But looking back
on all those steps it wasn’t such a
terrible time.”
From Phamaly’s touring production of Rapunzel 2 About the story of Rapunzel Published in the first edition of Children’s and Household Tales, the story of Rapunzel is an adaptation
of the French story Persinette originally published in mid the 17th century. The story may also be derived from
the 10th century epic poem Shahnameh.
Original Synopsis
There was once a poor woman
who greatly longed for a child.
After a long while, it seemed that
her wish would finally come true.
However, the woman’s house
overlooked the garden of an
enchantress – and in that garden
was some beautiful rampion (for
whom Rapunzel was named).
Everyday, she longed to have
some of the rampion and felt that
she would surely die if she did not
have some. Eager to save her, her
husband climbed down into the
garden and stole some for her. The
next day she longed for it three
times as much. So her husband
dutifully stole some more, only to
be caught by the enchantress. Greatly angered, the enchantress allows the man to keep the food – and leave
free of enchantments - in exchange for his child once it is born. The child is born and the enchantress
appears, names her Rapunzel, and carries her away. The child grew up to be very beautiful with magnificently
long hair – “hair as fine as spun gold.” At the age of twelve, the enchantress shut Rapunzel in a tower that lay
in a forest and had no stairs and no door. When the enchantress wanted to come up, she would call for
Rapunzel to “let down her hair” and she would climb it. Rapunzel passes the time by singing and “letting her
sweet voice resound.” One day, the King’s son hears the singing and it deeply touches him. After many
weeks, he learns how the enchantress climbs Rapunzel’s hair and he, too, calls for Rapunzel to let her hair
down. Climbing up day after day, he asks her to marry him. They hatch a plan for Rapunzel to escape by
weaving a ladder for her to climb down. Before the plan can be put in place, however, a pregnant Rapunzel
reveals to the enchantress that she has been seeing the prince. The enchantress cuts Rapunzel’s hair in a rage
and banishes her to the desert, where Rapunzel gives birth to twins. When the prince comes to get Rapunzel,
the enchantress tricks him into climbing up. Instead of finding Rapunzel, he finds the enchantress who gazes
at him with “wicked and venomous looks.” He escapes her by jumping out of the window, but is blinded by
thorns that poke him in the eye when he lands. He roams the countryside for many years lamenting the loss
of his fiancée until he wanders into the desert and hears her beautiful singing. Rapunzel’s tears wet his eyes
and his eyesight is restored. He leads her and their children to his kingdom and they live happily ever after. Adaptations to the story of R apunzel 3 The story of Rapunzel has been re-written, parodied, and utilized
in many different mediums. Many film productions, including the recent Disney
adaptation entitled Tangled, have become common references for the story and its
characters. Additionally, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair” has become a famous
identifying characteristic of the story – being used in short sketches on Saturday Night Live and
Sesame Street; as well as a majority of books, movies, and performance adaptations. These many
adaptations have introduced a variety of different elements to the story, often creating different or conflicting
iterations between individual accounts of the perceived “correct” re-telling of the story; including differences
in how the prince is blinded, how intelligently Rapunzel is portrayed, and how the story ends.
Our Production of R apunzel A one-hour musical adaptation of Rapunzel, Phamaly presents the THEATREWORKSUSA version of Rapunzel.
With Book and Lyrics by David Crane and Marta Kauffman (the writers behind the hit TV show Friends), and
music by Michael Skloff – the show is a hilarious, engaging, and rousing rendition of the classic story. Unlike
other versions, this production focuses on the challenges of growing up (songs include “The First Step is the
Hardest,” “Growing Up,” and “I’m Never Going Home Again”), accepting yourself and your unique
challenges (songs include “Me, My Hair, and I” and “I Wish You Could See”), and the power of love (songs
include “Wooing a Witch” and “Once Upon a Time”). Through a cast of 5 dynamic actors you will find a
vengeful witch that falls in love, a prince who learns to see
beauty without sight, a beautiful princess who learns the
power of love, and a host of their imaginative neighbors who
all live happily ever after.
Rapunzel and Disability
What does Rapunzel have to do with disability? That’s where
Phamaly comes in. Have you ever imagined that the witch –
who later causes Brian’s blindness – could be blind herself?
We did – and that’s just what you’ll see. But careful, it’s not
blindness that makes the enchantress so dark, it’s love! And
what happens to Brian when he becomes blind? He learns to
see true beauty – he doesn’t need to see. Our version, unlike
every other version we can find, doesn’t restore Brian’s sight.
These simple examples are just the beginning of teaching
inclusion and acceptance, with
other concepts touching on
accepting life as it is given,
letting change happen, and
working together to overcome
a common obstacle.
Additionally, our performers will engage with the students following the show
to discuss their own disabilities, visible AND hidden – allowing the students f
friendly exposure to a world that may be unfamiliar.
Conversation Guide About
8 Disability Approaching new subjects like disability
can be challenging – for both students and
adults. By talking about disability through
the lens of Rapunzel, teachers and friends
can be confident in their approach. Use
the questions below to help develop a
dialogue about your community, disability,
diversity, and inclusion.
1) Did any of the characters have traits
that you didn’t expect? (ie. Did it surprise
you that the Witch was blind?)
2) Why do you think that you didn’t
imagine the characters as having
disabilities?
3) Why do you think that Prince Brian
didn’t need to have his sight back?
4) Do you know anyone with a
disability? How do you think they feel
about “curing” their disability?
because she was blind? Why or why not?
5) Do you think the witch was angry
6) What else do you think really made the witch angry?
7) Throughout the story, Rapunzel has to grow up and face scenarios and people who are mean to her.
What do you think is the best way to combat situations and people who are mean?
8) Have you ever felt like there was an obstacle you couldn’t overcome? How did you adapt?
9) Have you ever felt different? Was that a good or bad feeling?
10) What others ways could someone feel different? (ie. their race, language, or disability)
11) What can you do to help everyone feel accepted and part of a community?
12) Can you think of other characters in other stories that could (or do) have disabilities? (ie. X-men)
ABOUT PHAMALY THEATRE COMPANY
9 The award winning Phamaly Theatre Company (formerly known as The Physically
Handicapped Actors & Musical Artists League) produces professional scale plays and musicals
year-round throughout the Denver Metro region, cast entirely of performers with disabilities
across the spectrum (physical, cognitive, intellectual, Psychiatric, etc.). Phamaly was formed in
1989 when five students of the Boettcher School in Denver, Colorado, grew frustrated with the
lack of theatrical opportunities for people living with disabilities, and decided to create a theatre
company that would provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to perform.
Phamaly’s mission is to inspire people to re-envision disability through professional theatre.
Rapunzel
Book and Lyrics by David Crane and Marta Kauffman
Music by Michael Skloff
Commissioned and Originally Produced by THEATREWORKS/USA
Directed by Bryce Alexander
Musical Direction by Mary K. Dailey & Donna Debreceni
Scenic Design by Michael Grittner
Costume Design by Linda Morken
Technical Direction by Tyler Stauffer
Props Design by Becky Toma
Stage Managed by Grace Hartke
On this production, Phamaly Theatre Company’s production staff and crew have conceptualized,
created, and coordinated all elements of set, lighting, props, and costumes.
The Cast (Alphabetical Order)
Jenna Bainbridge (Swing/Vocal Coach) has been performing with Phamaly
since she was 12 years old. Her favorite role with them was Belle in Beauty and the
Beast in 2010. This past June, Jenna graduated from DU's Lamont School of Music
Magna Cum Laude with a BM in Vocal Performance. After graduating Jenna
started her own voice studio where she teaches people of all ages and abilities.
View her work at www.jennabainbridge.wix.com.
Disability: spinal cord injury. www.spinalinjury101.org
Ashley Kelashian (Simon/Assistant Director) has been thrilled to perform
with Phamaly for the last 3 years. In that time she has appeared in such roles as
Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie, Yente in Fiddler on the Roof and The
Toy Boat in last year's touring show, The Velveteen Rabbit. Ashley is grateful for
the chance to spread awareness about Dercum's Disease and to work with the
amazing cast and staff of Rapunzel. “I love you, Edric!”.
Disabilities: Dercum's Disease, Degenerative Disc Disease
The Cast Continued…
Lyndsay Palmer (Rapunzel/Choreographer) has been an
actress for 13 years. Rapunzel is her first children's theatre role but she has
worked as a nanny, a paraprofessional, and a sign language shadow
performer. She uses a hearing aid when she's not onstage due to her
severe hearing loss. She wants kids to know that they can have a happy
ending even with a disability.
10 Disability: Sever hearing loss (bilateral perilymph fistulas)
http://american-hearing.org/disorders/perilymph-fistula/ Eric Richerson (Brian) is very happy to perform in his first Phamaly touring
production. His previous roles with the company include Jim in The Glass
Menagerie and Sam Wainwright in It's a Wonderful Life. Eric is grateful to God, his
family and his cast mates for their love and support.
Disabilities: Trichotillomania, Primarily Obsessional OCD, PTSD, BPD, Psoriasis
Linda Joy Wirth (Witch) has been active with PHAMALY since 1995 and is
privileged to have appeared in a combined 23 productions, both with PHAMALY
and in mainstream community theatre. Linda achieved her masters degree from
University of Denver and has recently retired after a 28 year career in social
work. Currently she presents workshops and in-services to businesses and
organizations on topics ranging from disability awareness to issues of aging. She
loves talking to schools as the students are so open and not afraid to ask the hard
questions. Linda is mother of four and grandmother of six.
Disability: blind since birth, Retinitis Pigmentosa - www.fightblindness.org.
Lisa Young (Story Teller) has been performing since she was 5 years old and
joined Phamaly in 2012 when she played Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors. Lisa
has performed and toured with Imagination Makers in Colorado schools the
Spring of 2014, inFables Old and New. Lisa has a congenital heart defect which
caused her to have strokes at an early age (15) and she has chronic asthma. She is
married to Mike and dedicates this tour to her nephew Rudii.
Disability: Stroke www.stroke.org Asthma: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of
America http://www.aafa.org/
For more information about Phamaly, please call 303.365.0005; visit www.phamaly.org;
or email [email protected]
Sources (Images and Information)
Brothers Grimm. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brothers_Grimm. Accessed September 23, 2014.
Grimm. Elisabeth Jerichau-Bauman. www.bildindex.de. Accessed September 23, 2014.
HP Electronics Cartoons. Tensile Strength .www.leapsecond.com. Accessed September 24, 2014.
Illustration for the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale Rapunzel. Simon Kozhi. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapunzel. Accessed September 24,
2014.
Keep Calm for Disability Awareness. www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk. Accessed September 25, 2014.
Off the Shelf: A Little Something from my Personal Library. www.bookpeoplestudio.wordpress.com. Accessed
September 24, 2014.
On Any Other Day. A Critical Analysis of Rapunzel. www.anyotherday.com. Accessed September 24, 2014.
Rapunzel. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapunzel. Accessed September 23, 2014.
Rapunzel Book Spread. Sasser, Angela. www.deviantart.com. Accessed September 23, 2014.
Scarce 1924 Vintage 1st Ed. ‘Grimms Fairy Tales’ w/ DJ – Edwin John Prittie Illustrations. Book Cover. www.rubylane.com. Accessed
September 24th, 2014.
Acknowledgements
RAPUNZEL – THEATREWORKS USA VERSION
Is presented through special arrangement by Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684
www.MTIshows.com
The Videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
Feel free to contact us!
Phamaly Theatre Company
P.O. Box 44216
Denver, CO 80201
Phone: 303.365.0005
Web: www.phamaly.org
Email: info.phamaly.org