Noble Fool to present 'Once Upon a Mattress'
Swimming through moats, dancing until they collapse, and sleeping on 20 mattresses piled high, 38 kids spend a summer in the medieval kingdom ruled by the devious Queen Aggravain in the Noble Fool Theater Youth Ensemble production of "Once Upon a Mattress." She is looking for a suitable princess for her son Prince Dauntless, and Princess Winnifred is up for the challenge; she just needs to pass a little test first. How difficult can that be?
"I think that the test that Winnifred has to pass is quite comical. Twenty mattresses and a pea! Imagine that! Definitely not the typical physical or mental test," says 15 year-old Sarah Beth Rabin of St. Charles, who will be playing the princess. "It is every girl's dream to be a princess. Winnifred teaches us to always be true to ourselves and to never forget where we come from, because in the long run anyone can achieve their dreams."
"Once Upon a Mattress," in production on the mainstage at Pheasant Run Resort Aug. 9-30, is a spoof based on Hans Christian Anderson's fairytale "The Princess and the Pea." It is the story of a bold young princess that comes from the swamplands to a kingdom and accepts a challenge from the queen for the Prince's hand in marriage.
Leah Richards, 16, of Sugar Grove is developing a knack for portraying the "mean" characters in plays. Acting as Queen Aggravain she says, "I seem to always play the controlling, mean, possessive, and hated person of the show. My inspiration comes from past roles and then I just play around with the role until I get it right."
It is directed by Ken Jones of Wayne, with assistance from interns Barbara Homan of St. Charles and Val Zawada of Geneva. The cast features: Alex Adams, Larissa Catalano, Kevin Chlapecka, Allison Cook, Janelle Deetjen, Lauren Freas, Allison Grischow, Becca Grischow, Barbara Homan, Veronica Orech, Sarah Beth Rabin, Tegan Reyes, Allison Schmidt and Hannah Star, all of St. Charles; Ally Carrino, Maddy Donatelli, Alice Paul, Allison Slattery, Jenna Soldati, Joseph Soldati, Joshua Soldati, Cassie Steffey and Cassidy Van Cleve, all of Geneva; Sara Monteleone, Emma Roberts, Elena Tubridy Carol Stream residents: Eve Edmunds-Diez, Sami Lauf, Rebecca Lawler, Danielle Pacelli and Cory Slowik, all of West Chicago; Payton Pinsky of Bartlett; Sam Schumacher of Itasca; Jessi McCluskey of Batavia; Hannah Krusinger of Naperville; Nadia Pelletier of Winfield; McKenzie McMullen of Elburn; and Leah Richards of Sugar Grove.
"We have been having so much fun preparing this production, that it hardly seems like work!" says director Ken Jones. "Seeing live theater is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with your family. Everyone who attends a performance will be impressed with the quality of work this group has attained. I am delighted to watch our performers develop new talents, hone technique, and make amazing choices which truly is the motivation behind my direction."
The NFT Youth Ensemble is an exclusive, audition-only program for the best and the brightest young talent. Students are responsible for memorizing lines, music, choreography, and learn the craft of theater through the process of preparing for live performances. For information on upcoming youth opportunities, visit www.noblefool.org/education or call (630) 443-0438.
"Once Upon a Mattress," rated G, runs Aug. 9-30 on the main stage. Showtimes are 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, except for Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. There is also a performance on Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $13. Harvest lunch packages are available.
Ample free parking and valet services are available at Pheasant Run Resort. The resort and theaters are wheelchair accessible and hearing amplification systems are available. Ask the box office about lunch packages with Pheasant Run Resort's award-winning Harvest Steak & Seafood Restaurant.
Pheasant Run Resort is at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. For tickets, call the Pheasant Run Box Office at (630) 584-6342, or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Additional performance information may be obtained at www.noblefool.org.