Excitement was brewing backstage at Cornwall Central High School Wednesday night as cast and crew prepared for the final dress rehearsal of OnceUpon AMattress. The show opens Thursday night and plays through Sunday.
The play is et in a mythical medieval kingdom and the players eagerly donned their fine gowns and regal clothing to transform themselves into the ladies and knights of those bygone times. Mothers and friends helped the girls braid their hair in plaits and apply make up for the final theatrical transformation.
When director Rich Auferio arrived, the cast was on stage receiving final instructions from musical director Tony Ravinsky and assistant director Suzanne Shand. Conductor Vic Esposito struck up the orchestra, the lights came on and the first two actors appeared outside the beautifully painted stage curtain to tell the audience about the tale of the queen mother who sought the perfect princess for her son, the prince, to wed.
Once Upon a Mattress is based on the fairy tale The Princess and the Pea, but it is a comedy and a musical that throws some twists into the traditional storyline. The singing and acting in this high school production are fabulous and guaranteed to thrill audiences.
About 100 students perform in the production on stage or in the orchestra pit. Another half-dozen serve on the stage crew. Parents also pitch in to make the drama productions a success. Jan Palaggi serves as producer of the production and her costume creations are, as always, spectacular.
Tickets are still available at the box office for the performances.
