‘Rapunzel’ resonates with children, adults alike

Excited children waited impatiently for the show to begin at the Seem-To-Be Players’ opening-night performance of “Rapunzel,” by Max Bush. Once it started, their attention didn’t wander for the play’s 50 minutes.

All elements of the familiar story very important to a young audience were present, including the Witch’s formulaic demand: “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair.” Ric Averill’s sure touch as director brought it all together to please both the children and their accompanying adults.

As the drama unfolded, adult members of the audience realized how resonant this tale actually is. Beyond the children’s romantic adventure story, the Electra myth of an adolescent girl’s conflict with her mother was powerfully present in this production. One could almost feel sorry for Mother Gothal the Witch in her pathetic attempts to hold

onto her foster daughter, bringing her toys and playing children’s games with her when it was really time to grow up and “run in the forest,” as Rapunzel wished to do.

There was resonance, too, in the Prince’s visits, beginning with the very first, when Rapunzel was both attracted and repelled by this strange new creature, a male, the first she had ever seen. The scene in which Prince Derrick tries to teach her to dance was priceless, played to perfection by both, as Rapunzel is horrified to discover that this

“dance” will not be merely a demonstration by the prince, but a mutual process in which the two must hold each other close and move together.

Despite the Witch’s angry blinding of the handsome prince and her abandonment of Rapunzel in the wilderness, the two find each other and the Prince’s blindness is cured by his beloved’s tears the power of love. Meanwhile, she has borne twins details properly finessed here and begun to rear them in the forest, so now all that remains is

to return to the royal castle and live happily ever after.

A very capable cast of four played six characters plus the narrators. Chris Johnson plays both a sturdy and bearded Theo (Rapunzel’s father) and Ballard, the prince’s old servant. In the latter role, he offers sensible and cautionary advice, which Prince Derrick, like any spirited young man, naturally ignores. Patrick Weaver is suitably noble as the prince and projects neatly his character’s impetuousness and readiness for romance.

Diane Bulan is splendid as Mother Gothal, radiating determination to have a daughter of her own and to keep her against all comers. Bulan’s movement, voice and expression eloquently convey the cunning and power we expect from a witch.

Elizabeth Sullivan shines first as Helga, Rapunzel’s mother, and then as Rapunzel herself, sporting a more-than-floor-length braid of blond hair. Her adolescent mopes as Mother Gothal fails to amuse her are a treat to watch unless perhaps one has spent too much time parenting an adolescent girl recently. And she sings charmingly in the tower and the forest, with music composed by Ric Averill.

A simple but vivid set by Alex Coppaken, effective lighting by Lee Saylor and incidental music by Averill and Tim & Grace Clark (piano, clarinet, harp, French horn and percussion) fit the mood of the play quite well.