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Once Upon A Mattress
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Once Upon A Mattress Tickets
Eldred Junior/Senior High School to present “Once Upon a Mattress”
Rehearsals are currently underway for the upcoming spring musical, “Once Upon a Mattress,” to be presented by the Eldred Jr/Sr HS Performing Arts Club on April 5 and 6 at 7 PM and April 7 at 2 PM.
This popular musical comedy is a classic re-telling of “The Princess and the Pea,” a literary fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen. The show features music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer.
In the show, a mythical medieval kingdom is in search of a princess to wed Prince Dauntless, much to the chagrin of his mother, Queen Aggravain. When the willful, unrestrained Princess Winnifred is presented as a candidate for the Prince’s hand, both hilarity and delightful musical numbers ensue. Some of the show’s more memorable songs include “Shy,” “Happily Ever After,” “Normandy,” “Song of Love,” and “In a Little While.”
The cast and their roles in this musical are:
- Olivia Shultis – Princess Winnifred
- Laurie Stern – Queen Aggravain
- Evan Bizjak – Prince Dauntless
- Elijah McGrail – Minstrel
- Owen Anderson – Sir Harry
- Paige Spradling – Lady Larken
- Joseph McNeill – King Sextimus
- Dylan Wong - Jester
- Andrew Pizzo – Wizard
- Elizabeth Amoroso – Nightingale
Filling out the cast, the play’s ensemble includes Kristin Amoroso, Abigail Bizjak, Sophia Deyermond, Matthew Dutcher, Natalie Edwards, Jacalynn Frey, Josef Haas, Audrey Innella, Tori Kaiser, Angie Kehrley, Logan Knibbs, Kyleigh Kuhn, Hailey Markle, Emily McGrail, Taylor McNeill, Annabell O’Connor, Adalynn Rausch, Reuben Rausch, and Emily Walter.
“Participating in this production has been one of the most exciting and terrific experiences I have ever had throughout high school,” said senior Olivia Shultis (Winnifred). “It is a bittersweet time for me because this is my senior year, however, I am so grateful to have this opportunity and to be finishing my high school career with such an amazing show.”
The production staff includes Conio Loretto, Director; Cliff Loretto, Musical Director; Todd Lantz, Set Design and Construction; and Sara Simon-Shult and Brian Nivison, Club Advisors. Conio (a music therapist) and Cliff (a music teacher) are district parents, both with many years’ experience directing shows in both schools and community theater, Conio having previously directed last year’s Eldred production of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.” Todd Lantz is a local artist who lives in the Eldred area and returns this season for “Mattress” after designing last year’s production of “Charlie Brown.”
“I feel so lucky to be able to work with the students at Eldred. Their talents impress me day after day,” said director Conio Loretto. “As a parent in the district, I am also grateful for the school’s commitment to the creative and performing arts. So many good things are happening at Eldred!”
Tickets for “Once Upon a Mattress,” scheduled to be available starting in March at www.epac.booktix.com, will be $12 for preferred seating, $10 for general admission, and $8 for students and seniors; children under 4 can attend for free.
THURSDAY, APRIL 4TH at 4:30 P.M. - Free dress rehearsal show for Eldred senior citizens at the JSHS.
