Act I

The show begins in a garden of talking fruits and vegetable (“Look at This Place”). Edward is looking for rampions to bring to his pregnant wife. The produce warn him that he has stumbled into the garden of Griselda Gothel, the wickedest witch in the world and that he should leave before it’s too late (“Get While the Gettin’s Good”).

As Edward is leaving, he is stopped by the Witch. Edward desperately tries to explain that the stolen produce is for his pregnant wife. The witch is intrigued and offers Edward the rampions in exchange for his soon-to-be born child. Realizing the danger, Edward agrees and runs off with the rampions.

Three months pass and Edward’s daughter is born (“Perfect Package of Love”). This joyous occasion is cut short when the witch arrives to take the child (“The Promise”). She names the baby Rapunzel.

Years pass and Rapunzel is locked inside a tower, spinning garments for her adoptive mother. Alabaster, the witch’s minion rat, pretends to help Rapunzel with her work, but the tricky rat gnaws through the yarn she is spinning, (“A Minion's Lament”). As Rapunzel dwells in despair, a cricket named Chin, arrives and sprinkles some magic dust to repair the yarn and begins to give her some advice, (“Don’t Turn a Molehill Into a Mountain”). Just as Rapunzel has made a true friend, the witch arrives and discovers Chin, who meets his maker at the end of a broom. Rapunzel runs to her friend who reminds her that he will always be with her.

As Rapunzel contemplates life outside her window (“Outside My Window”), a bird named Calliope flies inside, surprising Rapunzel, who is delighted to have made a new friend (“Little Bird”).

Act II

Rapunzel’s spinning is interrupted by a loud crash on the side of the castle tower. Chester, a Buddy Hackett-like flying squirrel crawls in the window wearing a helmet. He and Rapunzel become fast friends. Outside, the young Prince Lucas has been watching Rapunzel for some time. He finds the courage to call to her, confessing his love. The prince climbs her hair, and the two meet in her chamber. Lucas assures her that he will get her out and they can be married (“I’ll Take You Sailing”).

Calliope enters with a scarf for Rapunzel. At first she does not understand the bird’s gift, but then she has a realization: she will use her wheel to make a ladder out of scarves and other material (“Spinning My Way to Freedom”).

The plan is foiled when the witch finds the ladder. Alabaster urges Rapunzel to try again. Rapunzel manages to slip the witch a sleeping potion, and sends Chester and Alabaster to make a copy of the key out of iron. The two do not listen and use dough instead. They argue about what kind of cake it should be (“Cheesecake Nutcake Song”). The witch catches them, gets the key, eats it, and chases after Chester, who manages to jump out the window as a talking rubber plant breaks his fall. Angry, the witch closes and bolts the window. Prince Lucas arrives, and the witch overhears Rapunzel talking to him. He draws his sword to fight, but the witch uses her magic to blind him and lock him in the dungeon. She casts Rapunzel into the Forest of Doom.

Alabaster brings the prince the key for his escape. The prince asks the vegetables to help him get to the Forest of Doom because he is now blind. The rubber plant slingshots him there.

In the forest, Rapunzel is alone and scared (“Lost in the Forest”). She gets some helpful advice from the spirit of Chin. Finally the prince finds her (“Holding You is Coming Home”). The forest comes alive to attack them, but they both fight back. She cries out of joy, and her tears cure the Prince’s blindness. An owl in the woods marries them. Calliope, Chester, Alabaster, and even the spirit of Chin manage to make it for the wedding, and they all live happily ever after (“All Fairy Tales End Happily”).