Once Upon a Mattress
Director's Note
Many moons ago, in 1958, Once Upon a Mattress composer Mary Rodgers (daughter of Richard Rodgers) and friends created a little diversion for a summer camp in the Poconos. It was a farce based on the fairy tale Princess and the Pea. Snapped up by producers, it opened a year later on Broadway launching the career of Carol Burnett. The show’s joyous spirit and flamboyant characters has made it one of the most performed amateur productions ever. Sarah Jessica Parker even starred in a recent revival in New York.
Though none of us had ever produced Mattress before, this year seemed the perfect time for something light and positive, even a little innocent. We kid ourselves that high school musicals actually usher in the spring (along with cherry blossoms.) Truly for adults and students alike, productions become milestones in our lives and create friends and memories that last forever.
I know you will enjoy tonight’s performance. I know because we enjoyed every rehearsal. We laughed constantly. The cast is so clever and so eager to try another pratfall or goofy joke. Each afternoon when we entered the theater the crew had added something special (a new castle turret, a glamorous dress, or a maybe giant cocoa mug for Duantless) to create a most magical world. This theatrical collaborative spirit is especially evident in this year’s company. Students consistently helped each other with blocking and dance. The cast was its own best audience and rehearsals often ended in applause.
My deepest thanks to our directors and crew leaders for modeling the collaborative process and bringing out the best our company. And company, thank you for bringing out the best in us. It was a pleasure to spend this spring with all of you.
Have a “happily, happily, happily ever after.”