[chewychewy26]

I just got the role of Rapunzel for my school's March production..but I've never seen the show, and I don't know anything about it. Can you guys help me out? I know I have pretty much zero singing besides that stupid ahhhhahh thing she does but what else is there to know about her? Is it an okay role? Am I onstage a lot? Do I kiss Rapunzel's prince?

[Matthew]

[musikal_geek]

^Agreed.

Anyways...

1. You have twins
2. You have a really long wig
3. You typically have a really, really high set piece to sit/stand in
4. Your director might include "Our Little World," which is a duet between Rapunzel & The Witch
5. Can't remember whether she sings in Stay With Me....
6. You sing in all of the ensemble numbers (except for the opening, I think).
7. I don't think you have to kiss anyone.

I've left loads out, but that should at least get you started.

[music is my life!!!]

i hope you do our little world. it's the only song rapunzel sings that involves something other than aaaaah-ing so you can extend your interpretation of the character further.

in stay with me all rapunzel does is wimper and gets her hair trimmed a bit too far...

[TheWitch]

You go crazy and kill yourself.

[BroadwayBud]

I was Rapunzel's Prince a year ago, so here's your part in detail.

Rapunzel is really the Baker's sister. When the Baker's father steals beans from the Witch's garden, the Witch takes their infant daughter from them (Rapunzel) and casts a curse on their family. The Witch hides Rapunzel from the world by placing in a tall tower with no door or stairs. This is an effort to protect Rapunzel from the cruelty and dangers of the world. Rapunzel is perfectly content with this until she meets her Prince. Read on.

Throughout Act I, the audience hears your "Ah-ing" typically whenever the Witch comes in contact with the Baker and the Baker's Wife. This occurs twice, I believe. You are not onstage, but your voice is heard from offstage. It's almost as if your "Ah-ing" is what tells the Witch you want her. The first time you are seen is shortly after "Maybe They're Magic". The Witch comes onstage and calls to you (while you are singing). You let your hair down to her and she "climbs" up your hair to the window. Rapunzel's Prince observes this scene and plans to visit you the next day. A while later, still in Act I, the Witch discoveres Rapunzel's affections for the Prince and drags her into the woods. Rapunzel begs the Witch to allow her to see the world. After meeting the Prince, Rapunzel wants to discover life and be free from her tower. In "Stay With Me", sung by the Witch, the audience learns that the Witch really does care about Rapunzel and that Rapunzel DOES think of the Witch as a mother. At the end of the song, out of rage, the Witch cuts Rapunzel's hair very short. Rapunzel is banished to the desert byt he Witch where she gives birth to twins. (By this time Rapunzel is slightly deranged.) The Witch throws Rapunzel's Prince from the tower, where he is then blinded by thorns. Right before the Act I Finale, Ever After, Rapunzel is seen wandering through the desert with her twins. The Prince wanders on and falls in front of her. Two of her tears drop into his eyes and he is no loneger blind. They embrace. The Witch comes on (no longer ugly, but beautiful). Rapunzel does not recognize her. When she finally does, she refuses to return to the Witch. The Witch tries to curse them, but no longer has any powers. So now we come to Ever After. Rapunzel and Rapunzel's Prince are happy together and it seems like they will live happily ever after...until Act II.

Act II. After the opening of Act II, it is clear to the audience that Rapunzel has become hysterical. She is an emotional wreck. When we first enter the woods in Act II, Rapunzel is seen wandering around screaming. The Witch warns her that a giant is on the loose. Rapunzel replies that, because of the Witch, she will never ever be happy. She screams off again. After "Agony II", Rapunzel screams hysterically again and her Prince goes off in pursuit of her. When the rest of the cast comesinto conact with the Giant, Rapunzel runs on, screaming yet again, and runs right into the Giant's path. Rapunzel is crushed. Rapunzel's Prince moves on to wake Snow White from her slumber. In the end of the show, all the characters, living or dead, make an appearance to tell what they have learned. Rapunzel, naturally, "ahs" for the audience one last time.

The story of Rapunzel and her Prince is not explored very deeply in Into the Woods, but there is a huge emotional change in Rapunzel. Even though it's not fully exposed to the audience, you can definitley explore the character and try to reveal as much as you can about the change to the audience. Of course I'm biased because I was Rapunzel's Prince, but their story is perhaps my favorite in the show. Rapunzel is truly a tragic character, and aside from the Baker's Wife, I feel the most for her death. So, what I really want to get across is that do not be dissapointed that you are Rapunzel and please don't think she's a stupid part. I also want to add that Rapunzel is typically your best soprano. There's nothing easy about performing her aria! There is so much you can do with this character and her background, so don't throw all of that away. Really go for it! Rapunzel's Prince is my favorite role I've played to date and I credit that to the complex backstory to Rapunzel. Have fun with the role, enjoy the role, and good luck!

[ConverseSneaker]

Since BroadwayBud was kind enough to explain Rapunzel's role, I'll just mention everything else.

Rapunzel is not a huge role, but a great one anyways. The director may choose to put in Our Little World, a duet between the Witch and Rapunzel, otherwise you have your non-stupid aaahhhing and the finales for both acts. You will have a wig. Kissing the prince is left up to the director.

Anything else?

[TheatreLove]

Wow BroadwayBud, that was impressive.

I'm auditioning for this in the fall, and BroadwayBud made me want to audition for Rapunzel.
But I think I'll go primarily for Cinderella and put Rapunzel for my other choice.

Thanks BroadwayBud!

[BroadwayBud]

Wow, I think that just made my day! I'm really thrilled that you thought that was impressive! It's such a great sub-plot that's really downplayed. I'm glad I made a difference to at least one Into the Woods fan! Good luck, and thank you too!

[the_bakers_wife]

Yes, although the role is not as big as the others, it's a great character role with some moments in the script for her that have the potential of being hysterical if played correctly. If you get the role, it'll be a ton of fun. She's wonderful. Good Luck!!

[ConverseSneaker]

YAY BroadwayBud!