‘Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish‘ is the Ultimate in Pure Family Fun, for its World Premiere at the Laguna Playhouse.
(Lt to rt) Ralph Cole, Jr., Larry Saperstein, L.J. Benet, Sally Struthers and Darcy Rose Byrnes star in the Laguna Playhouse & Lythgoe Family Productions world premiere of ‘Rapunzel and her Holiday Wish,’ directed by Becky Lythgoe and now playing at the Laguna Playhouse.
Making its world premiere this holiday season, the Laguna Playhouse presents ‘Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish‘, a spectacular family event filled with laughter, magic, and heart. This is the Lythgoe Family Panto’s ninth annual production that offers a delightful mix of festive cheer, catchy pop music, and memorable performances that make it the perfect holiday outing for multiple generations.
The star-studded cast, led by Darcy Rose Byrnes as Rapunzel (who I previously reviewed in ‘Reefer Madness‘), L.J. Benet as Prince Sebastian, Douglas Ladnier as Snivelle, the head of the king’s security detail, Ralph Cole Jr. as B. Boufant, the hairdresser to the stars and the legendary, two-time EMMY Award winner, Sally Struthers as the wicked Madame Gothel, brings the beloved fairy tale to life in a fresh and engaging way. With Prince Sebastian’s help, Rapunzel embarks on a journey to discover her true identity and reach the Kingdom of Laguna for the magical Festival of Lights. Along the way, they are joined by lovable characters, vibrant pop songs, and plenty of fun.
One of the true highlights of this production is scene stealer Sydney Kinney, a dancer whose performance is nothing short of mesmerizing. All eyes are on Kinney as with every movement, physically telling the story and adding an unspoken depth to the production. Her grace, energy, and artistry captivate the audience, making her a standout performer in this already stellar cast.
While Kinney’s performance may be unforgettable, it’s Larry Saperstein’s portrayal of Simple Simon that that is the showstopper performance. His impeccable comedic timing, boundless energy, and heartfelt performance are a joy to watch. Saperstein’s high-energy antics and warmth create a character that the audience can’t help but love.
Truly, I was not familiar with the British style of panto performances until ‘Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish‘. The crowd interaction where you cheer the heroes, boo the villains and engage with the performers had the children in the audiences enthralled with the actors, while the writing did not alienate the parents. This was truly a shared family experience.
The Laguna Playhouse & Lythgoe Family Productions world premiere of ‘Rapunzel and her Holiday Wish,’ directed by Becky Lythgoe and now playing at the Laguna Playhouse.
The Lythgoe family—Kristopher and Becky—truly went above and beyond to bring this magical world to life. Despite having only 12 days to write the story and collaborate with their graphic design team to create every intricate detail of the visual elements, the result is nothing short of spectacular. The set design, costumes, and overall visual experience are immersive and vibrant, drawing the audience into the world of Rapunzel’s adventure. The choreography, led by Becca Sweitzer, is energetic and playful, with each dance number adding to the festive atmosphere.
Adding an extra dose of holiday magic, the show features snow in Laguna Beach, that brings the holiday spirit to life. Musical direction by Andy Street fills the air with infectious tunes that range from Taylor Swift to Stevie Wonder, ensuring there’s something for every generation to enjoy.
Directed by Becky Lythgoe, ‘Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish‘ offers a perfect blend of heartwarming moments, family-friendly humor, and captivating performances. Whether it’s the snow, the pop music, or the larger-than-life characters, this production has all the elements of a holiday classic. It’s a joyous celebration of the season that’s sure to create lasting memories for the whole family.
With the Lythgoe family’s dedication and creativity shining through, ‘Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish‘ is an exciting holiday event to be experienced this winter.
‘Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish‘ runs from now through December 29, 2024.
Performances will be Wednesdays at 6:00pm; Thursdays & Fridays at 7:00pm; Saturdays & Sundays at 12:00pm & 4:00pm (Saturday, December 21 will perform at 11:00am; 3:00pm & 7:00pm).
There will be added performances on Monday, December 23 at 12:00 pm & 4:00pm; Thursday, December 26 at 3:00PM & Friday, December 27 at 12:00 pm & 4:00pm.
There will no performances on Weds., Dec. 25 or Friday, Dec. 27 at 7:00pm.
There is also a $50 “Golden Ticket” add-on option for a special onstage sing-along experience during the performance and a gift bag with special surprises!
To purchase tickets for ‘Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish‘ visit: www.lagunaplayhouse.com or call the box office at 1-949-ARTS (2787)
The Laguna Playhouse is located at:
606 Laguna Canyon Rd.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Summary
‘Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish‘ at the Laguna Playhouse is the joyous sing-a-long sensation that will delight children, parents and grandparents alike.
[…] supporting role (the first being ‘Reefer Madness: The Musical‘ and the second being ‘Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish’ at Laguna Playhouse), and once again, she *owns* it! Her impeccable comedic timing, incredible […]