Sarah Beth Ariemma
The Union-Recorder
MILLEDGEVILLE —
The Milledgeville Players production of “Once Upon a Mattress” is coming full-circle as rehearsals are being conducted five times a week in order to prepare for the musical’s debut Aug. 18.
The cast list of principle characters has been released and the cast and crew are poised as talent will soon spill onto the stage.
Sandy Dimon will play the role of Queen Aggravain. The role of King Sextimus belongs to Troy Hencely. Winnifred the Woebegone will be played Leia Eubanks. Prince Dauntless will be played Jody Branch and Jared Powell will play Sir Harry. Lady Larken will be played by Natasha Lee and Jeremy Skidmore and Mathis Wilkens will play the Minstrel and the Jester.
Director Leanne Branch said the show is perfect for families in the audience.
“We have a brightly colored set with great costumes and are full of silly, family fun. We’ve been working with a few choreographers to make sure that the dances and numbers are pitch and step-perfect,” Branch said.
The entire cast features about 30 people, including the principle characters. The show is large in both players and storyline. The “true story of the Princess and the Pea” is set to music, which leads to some pretty hilarious mischief and confusion. The domineering and pushy Queen adds some color to the relationship between herself and King Sextimus. He is under a curse that renders him mute, and can only be broken “when the mouse devours the hawk.” Prince Dauntless wants to be married; however, his opinionated mother is ruining all chances of a happy match as she continues to set up seemingly impossible standards for the would-be loves of Prince Dauntless — and then Winnifred appears to challenge the Queen.
Branch said the show is full of fun family humor and will be a wonderful way to escape the climbing summer temperatures.
“Once Upon a Mattress” opens at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18. A special opening night reception will be held at the Antebellum Inn at 6:30 p.m. before the show. Separate tickets are required for the reception and must be reserved by calling the hotline at (478) 314-4054. When ordering tickets for the show, log on to milledgevilleplayers.org. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $20 at the door.
The show concludes with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22.
