THE COMMEDIA RAPUNZEL Set for FringeNYC Encore Series

A stand-out hit at the 2015 New York International Fringe Festival, The Commedia Rapunzel has been selected as a "Best Of" from nearly 200 FringeNYC shows and the only Fringe Jr. show selected to receive additional performances at the FringeNYC Encore Series, beginning September 12th at SoHo Playhouse.

This ain't yo mama's Rapunzel! Two sassy birds? A gossiping 80's hairstylist? A Cobbler and his wife from the wrong side of the tracks? COMMEDIA DELL ARTE?!? BACK UP NOW! Written by Sam LaFrage, and Directed by Dennis Corsi and Sam LaFrage, The Commedia Rapunzel follows the Spaghetti and Meatball Players, a troupe of poor traveling "Italian" actors, as they present a hilarious zany musical romp through a twisted retelling of the fairytale "Rapunzel" done in the style of Commedia dell Arte! Expect the unexpected in this wild night of participatory theatre that is wacky, crazy, fun for the entire family!

The Commedia Rapunzel will be performed at SoHo Playhouse (15 Vandam Street, at 6th Avenue) on Saturday September 12th, 19th and 26th at 3PM, Saturday, September 26th at 7PM, and Friday, October 2nd at 7PM.

Tickets: $18 at www.thecommediarapunzel.com

**$13 tickets available for kids 13 and under**

The Commedia Rapunzel originally premiered at Columbia Children's Theatre in South Carolina in 2013 where it sold out the entirety of its run, and this past summer was reworked and produced by The Scranton Shakespeare Festival in Scranton PA.

Featuring: Sam LaFrage as Arlecchino, Natasha Nightingale (The Thirty Nine Steps; WPPAC) as Columbina, Billy Aken-Tyers (Hair; Secret Theatre, NYC) as Rosetta, Conor McGuigan as Pulcinella, Andy Dispensa (Robin Hood: The Musical by Douglas Carter Beane) as Pantelone, and Joe McGurl as Zanni.

Sam LaFrage (Writer & Co-Director) is a 2012 graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, and was selected as a member of the 2013 New York Academy Company. Dennis Corsi (Co-Director) is the artistic associate of the Bingham Camp Theatre Retreat and is the creator of ScriptMatch.com. He works for Theatreworks USA as the Assistant Director to Devanand Janki and Peter Flynn.

Additional members of troupe include Scenic Designer Simone Daniel, Sound Designer Sam LaFrage, Costume Designer Angela Borst, Stage Manager Jonathan Steiger and Graphic Designer Becky Laff.