Nevada City, CA – From October 23–26, audiences are invited to step into a world of magic, music, and myth with Rumpelstilzchen’s Fairy Gold, an original musical theatre production exploring the untold story behind one of the Brothers Grimm’s most mysterious characters. Performances take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the historic Nevada Theatre in Nevada City, California. Tickets are $35 reserved, $25 general admission, and $10 for children 12 and under (general admission).
Produced by Angie Holm of Heady Lore and Swazzle, and written by Dalrymple MacAlpin, Rumpelstilzchen’s Fairy Gold reimagines the classic fairy tale with heart, humor, and live original music. This fresh retelling dares to ask: Who was Rumpelstilzchen before the story began—and why has he been cast as the villain for so long?
In this new version, Rumpelstilzchen isn’t a scheming trickster, but a misunderstood artist whose true gift is not spinning straw into gold—but spinning stories. When he sets out on a quest to become a story-spinner and save the world from losing its imagination, he’s joined by two wisecracking bookworms, a mysterious witch in the woods, and a larger-than-life operatic singing book. Together, they must answer a vital question: “If stories come from the world of imagination, what would happen if there weren’t any stories left?”
“A modern Bard, who hears the stories told in the wind, who gathers magic from olden days and gifts the audience with it,” says Dawn McCarthy of Faun Fables (Drag City Records), describing writer-performer Dalrymple MacAlpin’s unique artistry.
The production features 11 original songs, performed live by MacAlpin on piano, harp, and vocals, accompanied by Jiamo Chen on cello and Jesse Krautkramer on saxophone and vibraphone. The show also stars Vicki Colombo, Raven Aletheia, Audrey Delgado, and Jori Phillips, who bring to life a kaleidoscopic cast of characters through acting, singing, and puppetry.
The handcrafted puppets, designed and carved by MacAlpin after studying under Czech puppet master Miroslav Trejtnar of Puppets in Prague, lend the show a timeless European fairy-tale charm. The result is a rich blend of live music, storytelling, and visual artistry that appeals to audiences of all ages.
Critics and fellow artists alike have praised MacAlpin’s ability to blend myth and meaning. “Dalrymple is a storyteller of singular grace and charm—someone we must embrace and celebrate,” says Motoko, award-winning Japanese storyteller. Grammy-winning recording engineer Oz Fritz adds, “Some theater offers an initiation, some seeks to entertain—Dalrymple does both.”
Rumpelstilzchen’s Fairy Gold invites families, dreamers, and lovers of folklore to experience an imaginative journey where stories themselves become the most precious treasure of all.
Performances:
October 23–26
Thursday, Friday, Saturday – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad Street, Nevada City, California
Tickets: $35 Reserved Seating | $25 General Admission | $10 Children 12 & under (GA)
Website: http://www.dalrymplemacalpin.com
https://paulemerymusic.com/dalrymple-macalpin-rumpelstilzchens-fairy-gold/