Rapunzel With A Twist

“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!”

I have always been a fan of the classic fairy tale, Rapunzel. Even though the original Grimm Brothers story is plagued by theft, deceit, and violence, I still find the idea appealing: being locked away in a tower away from people with someone still willing to sweep you off your feet? That sounds like living in a dream. Sure, you may get bored waiting around for that special someone to come along, but at least you can embrace your introverted tendencies without being judged for it. I know I wouldn’t mind that kind of life!

When I found out that Disney was creating its own film interpretation of the story, I was beyond excited! Seeing how Disney deals with new female leads is always an interesting conversation starter, and their interpretations are never as grim as the original stories. The last princess movie to come out of the studio was The Princess and the Frog, and the movie and the songs were not as memorable as the classics that came before it.

With Tangled, Disney manages to capture the whimsical nature and naiveté of a classic princess story with the wonder of an adventure film. Rapunzel is not a docile or submissive girl: she is curious about the world around her and has a dream to get out of her tower and explore. She is hopeful and reminds me of myself when I was younger. When Flynn Rider attempts to hide in her tower, she ties him up, threatens him, and even strikes a deal with this man who is probably twice her age. These are mature moves for a teenager that has been cut off from society and knows nothing about the outside world!

However, there are still elements of evil that is expected of Disney movies in Mother Gothel and the Stabbington brothers. The twist on the classic story is that Rapunzel’s hair has magical healing properties that are activated when she sings. This gets her into trouble along her journey, but of course, *SPOILER ALERT* good triumphs over evil in the end.

Disney still manages to keep up with the times in terms of the romance story; Tangled is not a “love at first sight” story like so many of the princess films before it, but of course it has a happy ending for the couple. Rapunzel is like a child with wide-eyes looking to learn more about the outside world. Flynn Rider is tall, dark, and handsome; he has a bit of a bad side, but he has a soft heart once he opens up. Their friendship is unconventional, their love unexpected. There also seems to be a significant age gap between these two, but it’s true love, people! Anything goes!

When I found out that the film was being turned into a Broadway show, I was ecstatic! Having grown up performing in the theater, I could envision so many creative possibilities that could be translated to the stage, like the floating lantern scene on the lake, for example. The world of Rapunzel is so vast and colorful that the set would have to be just as elaborate! The cast of the film was diverse enough for a large ensemble, and there are plenty of areas in the story that could be expanded upon to create a full-fledged musical. I could definitely see more singing opportunities for Flynn, and even for some of the minor characters, like Rapunzel’s parents and the Stabbington brothers.

Even though I live four hours away from New York City, I can’t wait until the show comes to the stage so I can see it!