Audiences at Ridgemont Local School’s production of the musical Once Upon a Mattress this weekend will be treated to laughs, catchy tunes and enthusiastic dance numbers, as they take a glimpse inside a medieval kingdom from “Many Moons Ago,” and enjoy the humorous adaptation of the fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea.”
The show takes the stage at the Ridgeway gymnasium at 7 p.m. Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18; and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 19.
Unrefined but witty Princess Winifred, played by Jillian Kearns, journeys to the kingdom set in 1428 from her home in the swamp, and was so eager to arrive that she swims through the castle moat.
This fairytale kingdom is ruled by the devious Queen Aggravain, played by Matty McLane, alongside her husband, mute King Sextimus the Silent, played by Weston McKinley. Their eligible bachelor son, Prince Dauntless is played by Kevin Eckstein.
The queen has decreed that no one in the land may wed “until Dauntless shares his wedding bed.” When Princess Winifred arrives, 12 other princesses have already been put through the gauntlet by the queen, who enjoys issuing unusual challenges for her son’s suitors.
Not surprisingly, the new princess quickly earns the utter loathing of the queen, and Queen Aggravain throws a ball so Winnifred can dance the most exhausting dance in the world, “The Spanish Panic.”
The queen hopes that Winnifred will tire herself, but the plan fails. Winnifred is the last one standing as everyone collapses from exhaustion at the end of the dance.
Later, the queen, assisted by the Wizard, played by John Seeley, designs a test for Winnifred based on something they are sure she has not got at all — sensitivity. They will place a tiny pea beneath 20 thick mattresses.
If Winnifred is unable to sleep due to the pea, then she will be sensitive enough to marry Dauntless.
Fellow cast members include Minstrel, played by Brenden Eckstein; Jester, played by Xavier Stuck; Sir Harry, played by Will Browning; Lady Larken, played by Hannah Houser; the knights, Sir Studley, Sir Luce and Sir Manley, played by Kenny Feasel, Connor Eckstein and Ayden Jones, respectively; Princess #12, played by Abby McElfresh; Lady Rowena and Nightingale of Samarkand, played by Olivia Newland; Lady Merrill, played by Lydia Houser; Lady Lucille, played by Abby McElfresh; Lady Helena, played by Brooklyn Large; Lady Edith, played by Alana Purcell; and Lady Mabelle, played by Willow Kearns; Kitchen Wench and Emily, played by Brooklyn Large. The stage manager is Tara Neer.
Director/choreographer Lucretia Fenwick said selecting the musical comedy was a special request from assistant director Kay Dudgeon and her husband, Eric, who also work on stage design together.
“It’s a favorite show of theirs that they did back in high school, about 43 years ago,” Fenwick said. “Eric and Kay have been helping with our musicals here for 20 plus years, so we were happy to put on the production in their honor.
“Our cast has been working very hard, and we can’t wait for this weekend.”
Ridgemont staged Once Upon a Mattress back in 2001, and a grandmother of current cast members, Deb Craig, still had costumes from the previous production that she donated to the show. She also handmade the costume for her grandson, who plays the Jester.
Fenwick expressed appreciation for the way cast families and community members have stepped up behind the scenes to make the production happen.
“We’ve got an incredible crew. We have moms in here every night of the week bringing us cast meals, and many others lending their expertise, from sewing skills and etc.”
In addition, members of the new Intro to Theater class taught by Angela Arthur at Ridgemont High School have provided assistance in a number of ways, serving on the stage crew, and creating programs and posters for the musical.
“We got connected with the class early on, and they have been a huge help to us,” the director said.
Tickets are sold online at www.ridgemont.k12.oh.us/TicketBoxOffice.aspx. Limited tickets will be available at the door.