Princesses in 2019 are far different from their 19th century counterparts.

Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen brought princesses to life more than 100 years ago, making up stories of damsels in distress, poor stepdaughters doomed to a life of cleaning and lovely young women who haven’t quite found themselves in the world. All pretty, sweet and ready to please.

Playwright Dennis Giacino came to look at these characters as something else – and something more than pretty, sweet and ready to please. He then created “Disenchanted,” a musical that spoofs the fairytale princesses and leaves the audience with lots to think about while laughing at the antics of princesses such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White.

“I come from a female-empowered family,” Giacino said in a recent telephone interview. “My mom teaches, at 85-years-old, weightlifting. I have twin sisters. One is a chemist, the other a teacher. Strong women. Great women.”

Giacino said as a history teacher, one of his favorite females was Pocahontas.

“As a 10-year-old girl, she was a tomboy,” he said. “She was strong and brave, and grew up an important historical figure.”

When he saw the animated feature years later, he wondered what the real Pocahontas would think of her Disney character.

He wrote a musical number about the historical young woman, having her express herself differently than the animated woman would have.

“Then others (princesses) started emerging,” he said. “They were not happy. And they came to life to tell the truth.”

In “Disenchanted,” Giacino covers a variety of topics like body image, race, sexual identity, confidence and more.

“The play is funny on top, but the messages underneath are hot button topics of today,” he said. “And in the end, the happily ever after is the message.”

Giacino said the play pokes fun at today’s pop culture using comedy and music to make a deeper point.

“I think the human side of the play really is the point,” he said. “Whether you are a man or a woman, gay or straight, it doesn’t matter. We are all human beings.”

“Disenchanted” features 10 princesses, each with a surprising personality, different from those in the fairytales.

“The audience will love seeing another side to these characters,” Giacino said. “It is a lot of fun.”

“Disenchanted” has been produced on five continents and in five languages. It has played in Italy, Argentina, Beijing, China, all over North America and soon opens in Australia.

“Audiences from all over have really enjoyed the play,” Giacino said. “And I know they are enjoying it in Fountain Hills.”

“Disenchanted” has three more performances in the community. It ends Sunday, May 26.