Easton Middle School, under the direction of Richard A. Vitanovec, presents this “Seuss-like” production of Once Upon a Mattress at the Easton High School Auditorium on March 24, 25, 26, 31, and April 1.
If you thought you knew the story of “The Princess and The Pea,” you may be in for a walloping surprise! Did you know, for instance, that the kingdom was ruled over by an overbearing, talkative queen (Haley Nestel) and a mute mischievous king (Luke Adelman) and that Princess Winnifred (Sammy Bonnette) actually swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab (Logan Herron)? Or that Lady Larken’s (Sophie McGee) love for Sir Harry (Nick Voshell) provided a rather compelling reason for her to get married as soon as possible? Or that, it wasn’t actually a pea that caused the princess a sleepless night? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, this “rocking” spin on the familiar classic provides for some sidesplitting shenanigans. Chances are you’ll never look at fairy tales quite the same way again!
Other principal players in this wacky fairy tale are Matthew Keeler as the Minstrel, Tah’Jay Jenkins as the Jester, Seth Wagner as Cardamom the Wizard, Claire Weedon as Lady Rowena, Sarah Anthony as Lady Merrill, and Emily Royer as Lady Lucille.
Richard A. Vitanovec, who holds a B.A. in Acting and Directing, an M.A. in Theatre Production and is currently working as a full-time student on his M.F.A. in Theatre, is in his 14th year of teaching theatre at Talbot County Public Schools. Back in 2004 he directed a production of Once Upon A Mattress with Easton Middle School. It was done very traditionally, set in a Medieval Castle with traditional Middle Ages Costumes. When he decided to redo the musical, he gave his “vision” and design a completely new twist and has taken his actors and production crew with him. Vitanovec has taken the show out of the Renaissance and set it in the “Rickyssance”—a crazy, sometimes scary, sideways world that could possibly be right out of one of Dr. Seuss’ children’s books or found somewhere in Wonderland. With fluorescent and vivid colors, off the wall costumes, and the addition of a rock band to the orchestra, the show will certainly be different than what you have seen in the past. The musical itself, with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, and book by Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer, and Dean Fuller is a fun twist on this classic story of “The Princess and the Pea”.
Creative team includes: Direction by Richard A. Vitanovec, Music Direction by Caitlin “CJ” Freeman, and Choreography by Brienne Garland.
Show days and times are Friday, March 24 at 7 pm, Saturday, March 25 at 7 pm, Sunday, March 26 at 2 pm, Friday, March 31 at 7 pm, and Saturday, April 1 at 7 pm.
Tickets for the show are $10 for an adult ticket and $5 for a child/student ticket (18 years and under) and are on sale at the door or in advance ONLY at Easton Middle School’s Main Office.
Don’t miss out on the “rockin’” fun for the entire family!
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