July 24th, 2012 
With the “magic of a fairy tale, and the lesson of a parable,” “Rapunzel’s Bad Hair Day” was an adorable play for all ages.
From July 18-22, the Pollyanna Theatre Company performed “Rapunzel’s Bad Hair Day” by Lou Clark at the Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center.
(Photo Courtesy: Pollyanna Theatre Company)
The tale showed what would happen if the Grimm Brothers’ Rapunzel met the Bible’s Samson in a desert. Rapunzel and Samson are two characters that believe their hair holds their power and destiny. They both have dreams of helping their kingdoms. With each others’ help, they quickly realize their true gift was not their hair, but their hearts. After this realization, they realized they can do anything and help anyone.
The set design was beautiful, and it had subtle tributes to hair throughout it. A palm tree with leaves shaped like combs, barrettes in the garden and a witch’s hat with rollers.
After the show, Clark held a question and answer session, giving audience members a chance to pick her brain. One audience member, Ella, even gave Clark something to add to the end of her play that could help round out the play. After the young girl made her suggestion, Clark grabbed her screenplay and took some notes, thanking Ella for her idea.
Pollyanna’s Director, Judy Matetzschk-Campbell, PhD, came up with the idea to combine Rapunzel, her favorite Grimm Brothers fairy tale growing up, Samson and hair and gave it to Clark to pen a script.
(Photo Courtesy: Pollyanna Theatre Company)
The Pollyanna Theatre Company is a wonderful local theatre company that performs plays for young audiences, giving them an opportunity to use their imaginations and think big. They are currently competing in the I Live Here, I Give Here contest to help raise money for their upcoming season.
Having the opportunity to watch such a surreal and whimsical play was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon, and I look forward to seeing what the next season has in store.
