BWW Reviews: PANTO RAPUNZEL (AND ZOMBIES) Is Wacky And Wild

What is a Christmas panto?

Britain has a long tradition of Christmas pantos, and while the word "panto" derives from "pantomime" they are actually nothing alike. While pantomime is silent, panto is anything but. Pantos are loud, brash, and rowdy, with humor that hits you over the head. They usually involve at least one character in drag, and fractured fairytales are popular as a storyline base.

The plot of PANTO RAPUNZEL (AND ZOMBIES) is basically a mashup of the original Rapunzel storyline mixed with modern references and dastardly villains. Rapunzel is locked up by her mother to manage the books for the family business. When she finds that the numbers don't add up, she gains courage to leave her crooked mother and escape her prison. Without giving too much away, I'll just say that freedom isn't all it's cracked up to be, and Rapunzel is met with villains of various shapes, species, and...mortality challenges.

Jodi Bobrovsky and Joseph Blanchard have written a script that is true to the panto tradition. The script is more successful at some points than others; some of the jokes are beyond obvious, with the punchline in view miles before it is said, but perhaps that's part of the panto style. Still, there are many clever lines and characterizations and Bobrovsky and Blanchard are comfortably in their element as writers of the panto style. They are especially adept at finding humor and irony in the absurd.

Stages' PANTO RAPUNZEL (AND ZOMBIES) checks all the boxes as a Panto, but the target audience is unclear.It is billed as being for audiences ages 3 and up, but it really depends on which scene is happening. Small children would understandably be scared of some of the elements in the show, and some of the humor would go over a child's head. On the flip side, there are some infantile elements that aren't appealing to adults. Buttons, a lovable Zombie, seems to be there for the kids, with corny jokes and silly slapstick. As an adult attendee, I was entertained by the hilarious Rutherford Cravens, who plays Rapunzel's mother. However, there are scenes when the character isn't appropriate for young children. Panto calls for audience interaction and a lot of required booing, hissing, and cheering from the crowd. This is definitely child's play, and adults may find it tiresome.

One thing PANTO RAPUNZEL (AND ZOMBIES) has going for it is the cast. Every performer is committed to their role, and energy is high and focused. Kathryn Porterfield is utterly likable as Rapunzel, and her voice is a treat throughout the show. As mentioned previously, Rutherford Cravens is highly entertaining, so crusty and coarse as Rapunzel's mother. Carolyn Johnson nails it as Governor Dirk Berry, a character who is an amalgam of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and your local used car salesman. The actors playing zombies are all very effective in their physicality, dance, and vocal renditions. Harmonies sung by the female zombies are especially winning. Genevieve Allenbury is completely believable as Ima Biggenbottom, a dignified lady given to speaking in rhyme. Shelby Bray is adorable as the goose who lays golden eggs. Andrew Carson is great as the congenial frog prince. Joseph Redd is funny as the amorous goat Beaufort D. Buckles. Director Josh Morrison is adept at directing this wacky carnival of a show.

Sound designer Bryan Ealey just may be a genius! The sound is perfect, absolutely clear and every word and lyric is heard and unmuffled. (This is a rarer treat than you might think in the theatre world.)

Both Bobrovsky and Blanchard do double duty as properties designer and scenic designer respectively. The visual style of the show is very impressive; a cool juxtaposition of goth, steampunk, and carnival vibes. Costumes by Tiffani Fuller are detailed and imaginative. The designs for the alligators and goose are especially impressive, and the Goth-inspired zombie get ups are fun and appropriately spooky.

The revamped musical selections are generally funny and entertaining, especially "Pretty Girl Come Outside" (to the tune of Don't Go Breakin' My Heart), "The Ledger's Wrong" ("I Can See Clearly Now"), and the very funny "I Thought You Were A Friend" ("You Got What I Need"). Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is also featured and while it's sort of an obvious song choice, Carolyn Johnson and the Zombies crackle with stage presence and it's a high point in the show.

PANTO RAPUNZEL (AND ZOMBIES) is a good example of traditional British Christmas Panto with all it's requisite elements. Whether you like the show or not will depend largely on how you feel about the panto style. It is bawdy, silly, and, at times, juvenile. But that just may be what's needed in the midst of a stressful holiday season.

For tickets to PANTO RAPUNZEL AND ZOMBIES, go to: http://stagestheatre.com

Photo Credits: Bruce Bennett

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