Rapunzel Alone at 24th Street Theatre

24th Street Theatre, in association with the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, presents a sophisticated reimagining of a classic fairy tale geared for adults and children alike. Commissioned by 24th Street and written by Olivier Award-winning playwright Mike Kenny (Walking the Tightrope), the world premiere of Rapunzel Alone is scheduled for a March 5 opening at 24th Street Theatre, followed by seven performances at The Wallis March 12 through March 19, and a return to the 24th Street venue March 26 through April 30. Low-priced previews take place February 25 through March 5 at 24th Street. To increase audience accessibility, the performances at 24th Street will feature Spanish supertitles.Loosely inspired by the famous childrens story, Rapunzel Alone centers on Lettie, a young mixed-race girl from London who is sent to the countryside for her own safety during the daily bombings of World War II. On an isolated country farm, she faces her own battles with a strict new guardian and a very fowl goose.24th Street initially commissioned Kenny in 2019, pre-pandemic, to adapt the Brothers Grimm classic in response to increasing isolation among teens coming of age in the world of social media. Then everything changed. Over the course of the past two years of pandemic, lockdown, social uprising, election, insurrection, climate calamities and war, the play continued to evolve as the world changed around us.The play is about our need for connection, says 24th Street Theatre artistic director Debbie Devine, who co-directs with Jess Castaos-Chima. How the consoling power of connection heals the agony of isolation.Tara Alise Cox, William Leon and Dionne Neish star, with playwright Kenny providing narration and puppeteer Matt Curtain bringing ornery Gertrude the Goose to life. The original score is composed by pianist Bradley Brough.Im a fan of historical fiction, but rarely see anyone who looks like me in that genre, says Cox, a mixed-race actor who stars as Lettie. I love that the play introduces us to Caribbean culture in England during World War II, agrees Neish, a first-generation Jamaican-British actor who plays Letties guardian, Miss Pearce. My parents immigrated to London not long after, in 1955, and would tell me stories about how isolating it was for a Black person to live in London at the time. In a review of an audio-only version of the play, created last fall as a teaser for the in-person world premiere, Broadway to Vegas called Rapunzel Alone, Enchanting All events in this production are metaphors constructed in a way that are understandable for children, yet not boring to adults encourage[s] people to think about and discuss universal problems: loneliness, being bullied, being lied about, isolation, heartache, struggle, taking on too many responsibilities and looking out for others.The audio version remains available for listening at https://soundcloud.com/user-978180212/rapunzel-alone.As an adjunct to both the in-person performances and the audio recording, Lettie's Journal, a hauntingly beautiful visual record of the characters experiences is available for both online viewing and digital download. 24th Street Theatre, a multiple award-winning professional theater company, has created a name for itself as leading producer of emotionally rich and provocative productions for families. Rapunzel Alone can be enjoyed by adults, as well as by kids ages 7 and up.Its non-generational theater, explains 24th Street executive director Jay McAdams. Theater for the whole family that doesnt look, taste or smell like childrens theater. The creative team for Rapunzel Alone includes scenic designer Keith Mitchell; video designer Matthew G. Hill; lighting designer Dan Weingarten; sound designer Jeff Gardner; costume designer Shannon Kennedy and graphic designer Tara Nitz. Casting is by Michael Donovan, CSA and Richie Ferris, CSA. Letties Journal was created by high school student Leah Abazari under the mentorship of Hill. Spanish translation for supertitles is by Aleida Montejo. The production stage manager is Sarah King. Brittany Franke is the line producer, and Jennie McInnis produces for 24th Street Theatre.Mike Kenny is one of the England's leading writers, specializing in young people's theater. He is the recipient of numerous awards, was included in the Independent on Sunday's list of Top Ten Living UK Playwrights and his plays are performed regularly throughout the UK and all over the world. In 2013 he was given an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by Nottingham University, England. Proof of full vaccination (including booster shot if eligible) and government issued photo ID are required for admission for all patrons ages 5 and up. Patrons who are exempt from COVID-19 vaccinations must show a negative PCR test result within 48 hours or a verifiable Antigen test within 24 hours from your performance date. Masks, covering both the mouth and nose, are required throughout the performance; N95 or KN95 masks, or double masking with a surgical mask and fabric face-covering, strongly recommended.Rapunzel Alone opens on Saturday, March 5 and continues through April 30, with performances taking place at 24th Street Theatre on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. except the week of March 12 through March 19, when performances will be at the Wallis Center for the Performing Arts on the following schedule: Saturday, March 12 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 13 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Thursday, March 17 at 7 p.m.; Friday, March 18 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, March 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Four previews take place at 24th Street Theatre on Friday, Feb. 25 and Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, March 5 at 3 p.m. Tickets to performances at 24th Street Theatre (except previews) are $24 for adults; $15 for students, seniors and teachers; $10 audiences under 18; and $2.40 for residents of the theaters surrounding North University Park neighborhood. Tickets to previews are $5. Tickets to all performances at The Wallis are $25. 24th Street Theatre is located at 1117 West 24th St., Los Angeles, CA 90007 (at the intersection of 24th and Hoover). The Wallis is located at 9390 N Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210. For reservations and information about performances at both venues, go to www.24thstreet.org.