Middle Park High School theater students are in final rehearsals for their production of “Once Upon a Mattress.”  

This musical retelling of “The Princess and the Pea” opened on Broadway in 1959 with Carol Burnett starring as Princess Winnifred. The show was revived on Broadway in 1996 and was adapted into two television movies over the years. The latest revival is currently on Broadway, and the Arvada Center is putting up their production of the show this month. 

The cast for Middle Park’s show includes students in grades 8-12. Leading the cast are seniors Sabra Forquer (Queen Aggravain) and Tyler Maurais (Prince Dauntless) with junior Vallie Mace (Princess Winnifred). 

Other principal roles are played by seniors Nathan Chua (Sir Harry) and Jacki Martinski (Wizard); juniors AJ Feacher (Lady Larken), Reese Kervin (Minstrel), and Jax Redmond (Jester). Supporting roles are played by senior Kendi Smith (Sir Luce); juniors Toby DeLoach (Sir Studley) and Kari Hanson (Princess #12 and Mabelle); sophomores Lewis Forquer (King Sextimus the Silent) and Maija Relyea (Lady Merrill); freshman Bel Smith (Lady Rowena); and eighth graders Kate Huber (Lady Lucille / Beatrice) and Alex Kervin (Sir Harold). 

Rounding out the cast in ensemble roles are sophomores Zanna Berman, Norah DeVore, and Collin Huntington; freshmen Maisy Martin, Iliayah Redmond, and Lilah van der Walt; and eighth grader Henry Piller.

The tech crew for this production includes Middle Park High School graduate Ruthie Everhart (production manager); seniors Nathan Chua and Sabra Forquer (student directors), Kaylee Hoover (tech director and lighting designer), Jacki Martinski (stage manager), Jacob Zeleznikar (set construction manager), Keaton Fox (set construction and vocal ensemble), and Logan Kielley (set construction and vocal ensemble); juniors Vyla Clark (sound director), Calleigh Bobo and Lillian Sloan (costume designers), and Dayana Rodriguez (wardrobe assistant); sophomores Forrest Cramer (sound technician), Roman Warner (lighting technician), Bea Hanson (wardrobe assistant), and Riley Piller (spot operator); and freshmen Peyton Anderson (wardrobe assistant) and Addy Shippey (tech assistant/spot operator).

The choreographer for this production was professional actor Ben Friesen, who was assisted by Vallie Mace, who is the dance captain for the show.

“Once Upon a Mattress” will play at Middle Park High School Nov. 14-16, with shows at 7 p.m. each evening. Tickets will be available at the door: adults $10; youth $5; community seniors and East Grand School District students/staff are free.