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Once Upon a Mattress by Carlsbad Community Theatre Surely you’ve heard of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Princess and the Pea and how the princess had to notice a single pea beneath twenty mattresses before she could marry the prince. But did you know why the queen dreamt up such a difficult test, or that the princess was from the swamps, or that her name was Fred? All those intriguing tidbits and more are revealed in this musical comedy that put Carol Burnett on the map, and that is now playing at Carlsbad Community Theatre. This theatre is really taking off, benefiting greatly from the wealth of youth theatre in the area and the talented alumni who keep returning, including the romantic leads in this one. The versatile Eric Hellmers is a boyish and highly original Prince Dauntless the Drab who quickly falls in love with a girl named Fred – Princess Winnifred the Woebegone. And it’s easy to see why. Jordy Lievers returns from Columbia University to her childhood stage and uses her expressions, body language, towering height, and belting voice to create an unforgettable Fred who misses her Swamps of Home (a little), is not nearly as Shy as she lets on, and wants to live Happily Ever After with Dauntless. She proves it in the Song of Love, demonstrating her many talents that will help her pass whatever test the evil queen can devise, including her talented wrestling techniques in which she clotheslines Dauntless and gives him a noogie. Charlene Buhlert adds terrific amounts of snobby regality as Queen Aggravain who rules the zany kingdom with an iron fist, trying to keep her beloved son unmarried and her unbeloved husband, King Sextimus, from chasing elsewhere for romance. Mark Scott, the director at Rancho Buena Vista High, is the mute king who speaks volumes with body and facial expressions, whether it be making fun of his wife behind her back or reluctantly teaching his son Dauntless about the birds and the bees in one of this show’s great scenes. Flaunting the king’s ability to communicate is the cleverly choreographed and performed The Minstrel, The Jester and I, with the king accompanied by the Jester (great dancer Michelle Wadleigh) and the narrating Minstrel (the sonorous John Cardenas). Other notables include the lovely voiced Lady Larken (Kathleen MacNeil) desperate for the prince to get married so that she can get married – preferably within the next nine months. Jimmy Masterson is the cool and confident Sir Harry looking to marry Larken and save their reputations. Adam Shea is the castle’s nutty Wizard, and Mallory Arquilla is the castle’s nutty Nightingale who hilariously tries to sing Fred to sleep with her obnoxiously beautiful lullaby singing.The show offers a fine live orchestra directed by Neil Anderson and impressive sets (David McClow and David Palmer) and costumes (Yoli Bennett). Director and Choreographer Renee M. Kollar has a clear sense for this show’s comedy, and has assembled a remarkable group of singers and comedians with an ensemble that adds bits of unexpected humor throughout. Performs through July 23, 2006.
~ Cast ~
Minstrel: John Cardenas Prologue Prince: Jake Tidwell Prologue Queen: Katie Palmer Prologue Princess: Alisa Lalana Wizard: Adam Shea Princess #12: Avery Henderson Lady Rowena: Kaitlin Nelson Lady Merrill: Lizzy Palmer Prince Dauntless: Eric Hellmers Queen Aggravain: Charlene Buhlert Lady Lucille: Katie Palmer Lady Larken: Kathleen MacNeil King Sextimus: Mark Scott 1st Knight: Michael Anderson 2nd Knight: Eddie Velez 3rd Knight: Ryan Pierce 1st Lady: Alisa Lalana 2nd Lady: Karen Barrus 3rd Lady: Nancy Cochran Lady Mabelle: Sloane Herrick Ladies in Waiting: Mallory Arquilla Avery Gallagher Liz Gallagher Arianna LaMarca Naomi Olson Jester: Michelle Wadleigh Sir Harry: Jimmy Masterson Winnifred: Jordy Lievers Sir Luce: Jake Tidwell Luce's Lady: Avery Henderson Nightingale: Mallory Arquilla Director and Choreographer: Renee Kollar Musical Director: Neil Anderson Costumer: Jane Craig-Jones Set Design: David McClow, Dave Palmer Lighting Design: Curtis Mueller Costume Design: Yoli Bennett |