BAHS Presents: ‘Once Upon A Mattress’

A laugh-filled search for “a genuine princess” takes the stage March 13-15 at Bradford Area High School with a re-telling of the fairy tale, “The Princess and the Pea.”

Since opening on Broadway in 1959 with comedian Carol Burnett earning a Tony in her debut as the brash and unrefined Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, “Mattress” has garnered various awards with three television specials, a London run, and two Broadway revivals, including one in 1996 with Sarah Jessica Parker as the princess and again just two years ago with Sutton Foster as the princess.

“Once again we chose a classic piece of musical theatre as an educational platform: great songs, hilarious scene dialogue, ensemble work, and a dance break.” says director Andrew R. Dutko, BAHS Vocal Music Educator. “My highlight of the show was choreographing the Spanish Panic and seeing our students smiling yet focused during such a risible dance.”

Assisting him are Nanci K. Garris, Diane Kerner Arnett, and Fretz/School Street Music teacher Mikayla Schaumleffel.

Jennie Jones, BAHS Instrumental Music Educator, will direct the live orchestra of sixteen students and community members. Songs include “Shy,” “Song of Love,” and “In a Little While.”

Set in a European castle in medieval times, the show follows the efforts of Princess Winnifred to become the bride of Prince Dauntless the Drab. Twelve princesses before her have tried to pass ridiculously hard tests devised by Queen Aggravain. Further, the Queen has decreed that no one in the kingdom can marry until her son does. Her husband, King Sextimus the Silent, has literally no say in the matter because he remains under a curse rendering him speechless until “the mouse devours the hawk.”

Winnifred was discovered in a quest by Sir Harry whose fiancé, Lady Larken, has confided that she is expecting. The couple is desperate to marry before Larken’s condition becomes apparent. In fact, all the single residents of the kingdom are equally anxious.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 15. Tickets will be available at the door for a cost of $15 per adult and $10 per senior or student.

Boosters will also be offering refreshments, selling blankets, and “candy grams” for audience members to send to cast and crew. There will also be a display of cast photos and biographies, and a photo backdrop.

Playing Winnifred will be Payton Eddy with Violet Papinchak as Queen Aggravain. Patrick Smith will portray Prince Dauntless with Jaylin Moore as King Sextimus. Owen Troisi and Gianna Addotta will be Sir Harry and Lady Larken.

Payten Keller tells the story as the Minstrel, while senior Fenix Harris plays the Jester, the king’s confidante, and Vanessa Merrick brings the Queen’s ally, the Wizard, to life.

Ladies of the court include MaShayla Eggers as Rowena; Skye Sowa as Merrill; Cecilia Rogowski as Mabelle; Erica Everetts as Princess No. 12 and Lady H.; and Marielle Thompson as Luce’s Lady. River Darr appears as the kitchen wench.

Knights will be Aaron Luce as Sir Studley; James May as Sir Luce and puppeteer; Aztro Boon as Knight 1; Moxy Darr as Knight 2 and Nightingale of Samarkand; Wren Harris as Knight 3; and Cory Rose as a Knight and puppeteer.

Mary Rodgers composed the music for the show while Marshall wrote the lyrics, and the book, along with Jay Thompson and Dean Fuller. The show is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.