RAPUNZEL

An elderly witch named Gothel witnesses a single drop of pure sunlight hit the ground, creating a magical flower with the ability to heal the sick and hurt, and she uses it to keep herself young when she sings to it. Years later, the queen of a nearby kingdom falls ill while expecting a child. Her guards, searching for a cure, find the mysterious flower. They make a broth out of the flower, which heals the queen and she gives birth to a girl named Rapunzel. Gothel learns that Rapunzel's golden hair retains the flower's healing abilities as long as it isn't cut, so she kidnaps the child and isolates her in a tower, raising the girl as her own daughter. However, every year on Rapunzel's birthday, the kingdom sends thousands of floating lanterns into the sky longing for their lost princess to return. Eighteen years later, Rapunzel lives in the tower with her pet chameleon, Pascal. While happy to be safe in her tower, she yearns to see the outside world. ("When Will My Life Begin?") Rapunzel asks Gothel to let her see the floating lights on her birthday, but Gothel denies her request, saying the world is full of people who would covet her abilities for themselves. ("Mother Knows Best") Meanwhile, thieves led by Flynn Rider, steal the tiara of the missing princess from the castle. Flynn abandons his accomplices and stumbles upon Rapunzel's tower, choosing it as a hideout. During the chase, the lead guard's horse, Maximus, is separated from his rider and continues the search for Flynn on his own. Once inside the tower, Flynn is knocked unconscious by Rapunzel, who then hides him in a wardrobe. Rapunzel tells Gothel that she wants a special paint for her birthday. Gothel agrees, and after she leaves, Rapunzel makes a deal with Flynn — if he escorts her to the lights and back, she will return the tiara. While Rapunzel is excited to be free, she is soon conflicted between her freedom and her guilt of disobedience. While traveling, the two visit the Snuggly Duckling Tavern, which appears to be full of thugs like Gothel warned Rapunzel about, but they all each have their own dreams, just as Rapunzel does. ("I've Got A Dream") As the royal guards continue their search, Gothel learns of the pursuit, returns to the tower and finds Rapunzel gone. The tavern regulars help the pair escape from the guards, but they eventually corner Flynn at a man-made dam, which Maximus inadvertently causes to collapse. Trapped in a flooding cave Flynn cuts his hand while trying to save them but does not succeed, and thinking they are going to die, Flynn tells her that someone should know that his real name is Eugene Fitzherbert, and Rapunzel reveals her powers to Flynn, and Her hair glows and it enables them to escape safely, and later around a campfire Flynn reveals his reason for being a thief. They look into each others eyes for a few brief seconds and fall in love. While Flynn gathers firewood, Gothel secretly meets with Rapunzel, who tells Gothel she has feelings for Flynn. ("Mother Knows Best" reprise.) Gothel tells Rapunzel that Flynn is only after the tiara, claiming that he will leave once he has it. The next morning, Maximus confronts Flynn again, but Rapunzel befriends the horse and the group travels together to the royal kingdom. That night, Rapunzel tells Flynn that she is scared that her dream may not be as great as she expected, Flynn gently tells that it will be fine. The lanterns rise and then Flynn gives Rapunzel a lantern and in return she gives him his satchel. He tosses it aside and tells Rapunzel he no longer wants it. Flynn takes Rapunzel's hand and gently touches her cheek ("I See The Light"). He attempts to kiss her but seeing his former accomplices, Flynn trys to give them the tiara, but the pair are now working with Gothel. They make it appear that Flynn is escaping with the tiara, and Gothel, betraying the thieves, "rescues" the heartbroken Rapunzel and takes her back to the tower. Flynn, sentenced to be hanged for his crimes, learns of the treachery from the captured henchmen. The Snuggly Duckling regulars rescue Flynn and deliver him to Maximus, who takes him to the tower to find Rapunzel. Meanwhile, Rapunzel realizes that she is actually the long-lost princess, and confronts Gothel with the revelation saying she will never let her use her hair again, infuriating Gothel. Flynn reaches the tower, but upon entering, he sees Rapunzel bound and gagged and is stabbed by Gothel. Rapunzel pledges to remain with Gothel forever if she can heal Flynn's wounds. Gothel agrees, but before Rapunzel can heal him, Flynn, saying that he would rather die than have her trapped forever, cuts off her long hair, destroying its healing power. Gothel screams in horror as her true age begins to catch up to her, and as she writhes, she trips on Rapunzel's hair and falls out of the tower window, turning to dust before she hits the ground. Flynn and Rapunzel reveal their love for each other, then Flynn dies from his wounds. Heartbroken, she starts to cry and sing, then a magic tear lands on Flynn's cheek and brings him back to life. Surprised and overjoyed, Rapunzel pulls Flynn forward for a kiss. The group returns to the castle, where the royal family is reunited at last. Flynn is pulled into the embrace, and after a celebration of Rapunzel's return, Flynn and Rapunzel are married, and they live happily ever after as the pub thugs fulfill their individual aspirations, and Maximus becomes a respected official on the Royal Guard.

THE END