| Many of us grew up hearing the fairy tale story of The Princess and the Pea. But the musical Once Upon a Mattress, put on at Owen Theater by the Mars Hill College theater department and directed by professional Paige Posey tells the story of "what really happened."
Due to a curse, the King (played by senior Justin Phaneuf) has been struck mute. His wife, the domineering and chattery Queen (senior Laura Nell Dubuisson) has taken over the kingdom. She prohibits anyone to be married until her son, Prince Dauntless (sophomore Matt Shearin) has found a true and deserving princess to marry. But due to her desire to keep her son to herself, she has required each princess to undergo a series of impassable tests.
Lady Larken and Sir Harry, played by sophomore Aimee Bohner and freshman Jeremy Greco are especially troubled by the ridiculous marriage law, as Larken has become pregnant and needs to be wedded soon. Will Dauntless be able to find a princess so that members of the kingdom may marry?
The play also stars Junior MK Lyerly as the part of Princess Winnifred. Jeremy Gale, Michael Fisher, and Immanuel Elliott play supporting leads as the Minstrel, Jester, and Wizard.
For the direction of the play, professional director Paige Posey was asked to return to the campus of Mars Hill. Three years ago Posey directed the play Children of Eden here on campus. Posey is the associate artistic director at Flat Rock Playhouse, the state theater of North Carolina. She directs, casts, and does administration work, usually opting to work with musicals.
Susan Sertain, the costume designer for the show, is also a guest. Sertain has her own costume shop in Asheville and makes most of the costumes herself.
The music for the play was written by Mary Rogers, daughter of Richard Rogers of Rogers and Hammerstein. Originally produced in 1959, Once Upon a Mattress is famous for having launched the career of Carol Burnette, and later starred Sarah Jessica Parker as Princess Winnifred on Broadway.
The play is approximately two hours long and is performed in two acts. A free preview is on Wednesday, October 5th, with the official opening night on Thursday October 6th at 7:30pm. The show will go through the 9th, ending with a 2:30 matinee on Sunday afternoon.
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Once Upon a Mattress Cast List
King - Justin Phaneuff*
Queen - Laura Nell Dubuisson*
Dauntless - Matt Shearin
Winnifred - MK Lyerly*
Minstrel - Jeremy Gale
Jester - Michael Fisher
Wizard - Immanuel Elliott
Lady Larken - Aimee Bohner
Sir Harry - Jeremy Greco
Sir Studley - Mac Knapp
Sir Luce - Josh Hasty
1st Knight - Chris Caggiano
2nd Knight - Tenzie Burns
3rd Knight - Jake Robinson
Lady Rowena - Cassandra Rising
Lady Merrill - Ashley Manning
Lady Lucille - Natasha Harrison*
Lady Maybelle - Allison Ball
Lady H - Hannah McGinnis
Princess #12, Emily, Lady, and Nightingale - Jess Cyr |
Director - Paige Posey
Music Director/Accompanist - DeWitt Tipton
Choreographer - Laura Nell Dubuisson*
Stage Manager - Anne G'Fellers*
Assistant Stage Manager - Heidi Kulas
Assistant Stage Manager - Latoya Sharpe
Scenic Designer - Richard Seagle
Lighting Designers - Richard Seagle and Britni Anderson
Light Board Operator - Katy Snow
Follow Spot Operators - Heather Brooks and Shamaal Thomas
Costume Designer - Susan Sertain
Costume Crew - Kristine Pugh, Immanuel Elliott, and Katy Snow
Props Mistress - Chelsey Gaddy*
Props Crew - Tela Simmons*, Latoya Sharpe, and Katy Snow
House Manager - Autumn Massey*
Box Office - Autumn Massey* and Erin Carter
* - Members of Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honors Fraternity |
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Photos by Kate Prichard
Matt Shearin and MK Lyerly as Prince and Princess
Queen Laura Nell Dubuisson and King Justin Phaneuf
Minstrel Jeremy Gale
Lovers Greco and Bohner
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