SCERA's 'Rapunzel, Rapunzel' promises a fresh story

OREM — Director Chase Ramsey says adults as well as children will enjoy the SCERA Center for the Arts' version of the story of Rapunzel.

Local writers Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman wrote the story "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, A Very Hairy Fairy Tale" as a theater piece for young audiences, but Ramsey said that shouldn't keep adults away.

"This show is written for kids, but I can't help but think how much adults will enjoy themselves when they come," Ramsey said. "The best part of this type of theater is that we are all allowed to be kids for an hour. We are asked through the writing to sit back and laugh, smile, question, and simply react to the journey of the characters."

Ramsey has enlisted seasoned actors for his cast including Kelly Coombs-Johnson, known to SCERA audiences as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” and Junie B. Jones, among others.

Taylor Eliason, a performer who has toured outside the United States, is part of the show along with Shawn Mortenson who was recently Stanley in "Flat Stanley" at the SCERA, and Julie Nevin and Samantha Frisby, who were also involved in "Flat Stanley."

Brandon Haden and Jillian Ormond are the other members of the cast.

The set will be a mixture between Disney's portrayal ("Tangled") and “The Brothers Grimm,” a mix between presentation, fantasy and reality, Ramsey said. That will include a giant tower and a 15-foot dragon.

Coombs-Johnson introduces most of the new music and does an incredible job, Ramsey said.

"There is music and it is absolutely wonderful and sung by some of the most amazing voices around.

"I have come to really love the music," Ramsey added. "That said, I must admit my favorite aspect of this show is the simplicity and beauty of the story. We have experienced so many versions of Rapunzel through the years and it's so nice to often land on the same simple themes of following your dreams, living with immense hope, and seeing that we are all capable of so much more than, let's say, being stuck in a tower."

Ramsey said Rapunzel represents the brilliant, beautiful, optimistic side in people — he believes the show could easily become a SCERA classic.

If you go:

What: "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, A Very Hairy Fairy Tale"

Where: SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 S. State St., Orem

When: Feb. 18-March 8 (10 a.m. school performances, 7 p.m. public)

Cost: $6 adults, $4 children, seniors; $2 schoolchildren

Tickets: available at www.scera.org or 801-225-2569