Rapunzel truly "lets down her hair" in this Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival adaptation.

Wildly colorful friendly spiders, a wily witch, and really long hair tangle together to create the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's adaption of the Brothers Grimm classic, "Rapunzel." The show, ideal for children ages 3 - 12, runs May 29 through Aug. 1 in Schubert Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, Center Valley.

"The story is a quest for freedom, love and belonging," says Erin Sheffield, the show's playwright and director, and a long-time PSF artist. She has directed more than 20 children's shows for the festival over the years.

"Amidst the merriment, there is the discovery of identity, complement of companionship, and in the end, the triumph of goodness."

Sheffield's "Rapunzel" follows the plot of Grimm's tale and adds talking animals, original music and lively dancing. "I wanted to create fresh and engaging character."

As for her inspiration for the adaptation, after reading the Brothers Grimm tale, Sheffield found herself intrigued by certain aspects of the story. "It left me wanting to know more about Rapunzel's hair, why it was so long, and her relationship to her birth parents," explains Sheffield.

"I also reflected on what makes us, as an audience, fall in love with a story."

Sheffield chose to remove some of the dark fairy tale situations and portray Rapunzel as a spunky modern day girl in a tight situation (quite literally) rather than a damsel in distress.

Alone in her tower deep in the woods, Rapunzel is discovered by a handsome shoemaker (rather than a prince). Rapunzel's tale also includes her four spider friends whose webbing abilities help her evade danger on her journey and weave a path to safety.

The cast of the one-act, approximately one-hour show includes Phoenix Best (Bunny, the narrator), Stephanie Hodge (Rapunzel), Ian Moody (Liam, the shoemaker), Valerie Berger (Witch), Ally Borgstrom, Dane McMichael, Tori Lewis and Ryan Hagan (Spiders), Bo Sayre (King), Ilia Paulino (Queen), Brendan Doyle (Douglas, shoemaker assistant), and Patrick Golebiowski (Guard).

Sheffield explains the take-away for the kids: "Adventure into the unknown. If you don't try, you'll never know what you can accomplish."

Samina Vieth is scenic designer. Amy Best is costume designer. Liz Elliot is lighting designer.

"The set is stunning and has a few surprises of its own. The costumes are out of this world and will make everyone want to go home and play dress-up.," exclaims Sheffield.

Stage manager is Emily White. Original music was created by Sean Tingle. Jake Jobes is sound designer.

Wig and makeup designs are by Martha Ruskai.

"Another twist is the hair, but I'm not giving away any spoilers," Sheffield says.

Children are invited to meet the actors after performances for photos and autographs.