Lindsay Pullan (Rapunzel) and Aubrey Richir (Prince Lucas) perform “Holding You Is Coming Home,” from the musical Rapunzel - Beginnings and Beyond. Photo by Holly Jones Weston

Editor’s note: Todd Pullan is an artistic director with the Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown.

The prime stage of Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown Inc. became the enchanted forest for the “off-main stage” family production of “Rapunzel – Beginnings and Beyond,” which opened Friday. Helen Merrill co-director with Anne Eklund, welcomed the house of season members and families with children to “be prepared to laugh and sing-along,” opening their hearts to a new slant on the Grimm fairytale. In this adaption by Allison McGarry (book/lyrics) and Brian Leader (Music), Rapunzel long-blonde hair stuck in castle tower gets some spunk and enjoys the friendship of a company of personified animals in this imaginative new fairy-tale musical. The script might be a stretch for prime time theatre.

The set production team: Helen, Norman Merrill, and Anne Eklund chose a minimalist budget set consisting two castle towers stage right, an upper deck and stage center as the deep woods and then parental home of Rapunzel or the upper tower where Rapunzel was trapped.

A few 3-D trees boarded stage left by the proscenium. Oddly the parental home and the upper tower contained most of the identical furnishing. The basic lighting design by Jason Dorman was under the hand of Steve Pullan, with the sound mastered by Doug Gray under the slider of Patti Dechow. Cues and some slow scene changes were stage managed by Kaitlin Ames and Julia Pettibon.

Jonathan Young (Edward) searched through the audience arriving at the garden of evil witch, Dame Gothel (Danica Olson-Walter) looking for rampions to satisfy his wife’s pregnant cravings. Young accompanied by Lucy Miller, piano, Jennifer Lundmark, synthesizer; Claud Schuckers, guitar, and Jason Dorman, percussion opened this whimsical show with “Look At This Place.”

A company of bright dressed smiling hand choreographed singing vegetables and soon-to-be bugs in other ensemble numbers surrounded him. Costumes were created and fantasized by Olson-Walter, Pettibon, Roxanne Wenke and Parents of the children.

Billy Paul was energetic and rather Irish as Ralph, the talking yellow squash and chief vegetable.

Danica Olson-Walter excelled in her witch portrayal fashioned in a black tunic, hooded velveteen cape, magenta accent scarf and the large tower key that she wore around her neck for safekeeping. Her shrilling voice added to her character note worthy that she stepped into said role four days before curtain.

Laurel Finson (Elizabeth) sang a duet with Edward when Rapunzel was born but their early parental joy was squelched when witch Gothel arrived to take Rapunzel by signed document, as the witch muttered “keep your promise to me! And tell your mommy and daddy that you’ll write.”

McKenzie Pickett did well in her role as the Young Rapunzuel who was chored by her adopted mother to a life of mending and spinning flax. Lindsay Pullan as the adult Rapunzel was dressed rather well in royal blue velveteen hemmed in lace with squared neckline. Pullan was sweet and angelic.

Rapunzel enjoyed the company of several animals played well by the following character actors: Alabaster, the rat (John Pickett; Chester, the non-flying squirrel (Vince Joy); Calliope, large feathered bluebird puppet (John Linza). One of the cute songs “Cheesecake Nutcake,” was performed by Alabaster and Chester. The squirrels’ massive plump soft tail had a squeezable attraction.

Enter Aubrey Richir as Prince Lucas to save the day frolicked in his purple tunic, satin bell sleeves and LulaRoe leggings, sporting a hat with feathers rather than accent plume. Richir was charming, suave and humorous when he couldn’t jump the mote for his planned heroic rescue. Lucas and Rapunzel sang several duets including “I’ll Take You Sailing and Holding You Is Coming Home.”

Several of the company roles included Dalton Anthony (Chin); Robert Paul (Rosco); Melissa Vullo (Mexican Tomato); Donovan Gomez (Apple); Nicole Krupinski (Banana) and the fruits, vegetables and forest creatures: Layla Amatuzzo, Braya Beaver, Resse Beaver, Mae Benedetto, Lyla Conley, Camille Czerniak, Maya Elmohandis, Grace Gilevski, Riley Kolstee, Hailey Melquist, Greta Nordwall, Katelyn Rhodes, Rosalie Rondeau, Zoey Shimmel, Maya El Monandi, and Stella Smith.

The musical score appeared high and not memorable. The script was wacky, definitely strayed from the Grimm fairytale, and may have not been written for prime main stage theater. However, if success is defined by the genuine and honest efforts of the adults and children combined with audience laughter, applause and the belly chuckles of children, then we’ll leave it with that.

This imaginative new fairytale musical continues today at 2 p.m. and continues Friday and April 1 at 7:30 p.m. and closes with a 2 p.m. matinee on April 2.

Tickets may be purchased in advance of each performance at $20 by calling the Little Theatre Box Office at 483-1095 or by visiting lucilleballlittletheatre.org/ reservations. For more information, visit lucilleballlittletheatre.org/current-season.html.