Photo by Tony Arrasmith/Arrasmith & Associates.
CINCINNATI, OH – May 1, 2018 — The Free Family Fun Series at the Arts Center at Dunham wraps up with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s Off the Hill Rapunzel on Saturday, May 19 at 2 p.m.
Courtesy of a grant from Price Hill Will Arts CAT, Rapunzel lives in tower with her loving, yet very overprotective Nan after her mother left across the big sea. Year after year, Nan builds their tower higher and higher to protect them from the disgraceful, scary world. Every year, Rapunzel’s hair grows longer and so does her curiosity about the outside. It isn’t until she meets a local boy, Rafi, who finally gives her the courage to be free. Recommended for all ages.
With a script from award-winning playwright Mike Kenny, Rapunzel stays faithful to its fairytale setting that fans of the Brothers Grimm adaptation have come to know and love, while offering a nuanced perspective of independence, friendship and family relationships. The production will feature magical design elements from Playhouse artisans and is directed by Playhouse Director of Education and Community Engagement Daunielle Rasmussen.
“One of the things I love about this version is that it’s not about a boy saving a girl,” says Rasmussen, who emphasizes that the show celebrates both male and female empowerment. “Their friendship brings meaning to the girl. She finds her own life and she finds her own destiny that’s different from his.”
The story also explores how the relationship between Rapunzel and Nana changes as Rapunzel matures. Nana must learn that she cannot keep her granddaughter safe from the world no matter how scary it is. It is a theme that Rasmussen hopes will resonate with parents today.
“It’s really a story about growing up. It’s about becoming your own person as a child, and as a parent, it’s about letting your child become their own person while still providing a sanctuary where they can become who they’re meant to be,” adds Rasmussen.
Rapunzel is appropriate for ages 4 and up. The show is free. Reservations for can be made online (www.sunsetplayers.org) or by calling 513-588-4988.
Off the Hill is supported by The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation, The Charles H. Dater Foundation, John C. Griswold and KeyBank.
The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Arts Center at Dunham is a fine arts center for the west side of Cincinnati and its vision is to provide affordable creative and performing arts for Price Hill and surrounding communities. Housed in one of the three remaining buildings of what was the first municipally owned tuberculosis sanatorium in the United States, the Arts Center includes a 350-seat performance venue as well as extensive studio and programming space. The Arts Center is located in the Dunham Recreation Complex. See what is happening at the Arts Center at Dunham on Facebook.
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