The SPFHS Repertory Theatre is proud to present this year’s production of Broadway’s hit musical “Once Upon a Mattress.” Performances will be held on Friday, March 9; Saturday, March 10; Thursday, March 15; Friday, March 16; and Saturday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 11 at 2 p.m. All shows take place at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, 667 Westfield Road, Scotch Plains, New Jersey.
This comedic musical is an adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea.”
The story takes place long ago and in a faraway kingdom where King Sextimus is unable to speak due a curse that has been placed on him and therefore his mean wife, Queen Aggravain, has taken over as the ruler of the kingdom. Queen Aggravain has decreed that her son, Prince Dauntless, who is seeking a bride, can only marry a princess of true blood, one who is sensitive enough to feel a pea that is underneath a pile of mattresses when she sleeps. Further, the Queen has declared that until he is married, no one else in the kingdom is permitted to wed. This is quite a problem for Lady Larken and Sir Harry, as Lady Larken is pregnant with Sir Harry’s baby. This conundrum drives Sir Harry’s determination to find a match for Prince Dauntless so that he can marry.
With the dramatic arrival of the unrefined Princess Winnifred, who hopes for the Prince Dauntless’ hand, there is much hilarity; the Queen schemes to make sure that Winnifred isn’t her son’s soulmate, and Sir Harry, the King and the Jester work together to help Dauntless and Winnifred find their happily ever after.
The cast features a total of 54 students, 14 of whom are seniors, and is under the direction of Ms. Courtney Nemec, Director, SPFHS Repertory Theatre, a 5th grade teacher at Park Middle School; and Mrs. Jan Allen, SPFHS Choral Director, SPFHS Repertory Theatre Music Director and Producer. The show has a large stage crew and importantly, features a pit band as well.
According to Allen, “With over a hundred students involved in the show between the cast, crew, pit, costuming and stage management, it’s really exciting to see this production come together. We’ve got a very talented group bringing ‘Once Upon a Mattress’ to life and we are really looking forward to performing this for the community.”
Tickets may be purchased at MattressSPFHS.brownpapertickets.com and are $13 for students/seniors and $15 for adults. All tickets will be $10 for the Thursday, March 15 performance only. Seniors with Gold Cards may contact Kathleen Sheehy at ksheehy405@gmail.com to arrange for their ticket.
(above) “Once Upon a Mattress”
