The Montezuma-Cortez High School Drama Department’s spring musical is a classic show with a contemporary twist, director Nicholaus Sandner said.
“Once Upon A Mattress” debuts March 10 at 7 p.m. at the M-CHS Auditorium. Other showtimes are March 11, 17 and 18 at 7 p.m., and matinee shows on March 11 and 18 at 2 p.m.
The musical tells the fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea,” with a comedic and playful vibe, Sandner said.
“It’s a classic musical, so it’s been on our radar for a while,” he said.
Sierra Mosher plays Queen Aggravain, who rules a fictional medieval kingdom and is overprotective of her son, Prince Dauntless, played by freshman Dakota Kantner. The Queen doesn’t want her son to get married, so she subjects princesses who seek Dauntless’ hand in marriage to unfair tests, Mosher said.
Princess Winnifred, played by Michelle Hoy, is an unconventional princess from the swamps, Hoy said. Winnifred and Dauntless fall in love, and Winnifred passes the Queen’s tests.
Hoy said the show is a big change from last year’s musical, “Big Fish.”
“It’s goofy, and there’s nothing too dramatic,” she said. “It’s lots of fun and a good family show.”
Mosher said the music for the show was fun and to sing and learn. Hoy said her favorite song is “Shy,” in which Winnifred sings about how shy she is, but she acts bold and aggressive.
Kantner said the show is fun to act in and funny to watch. The musical numbers are energetic, and the crew has worked hard on the decorations, he said.
“The set is the biggest we’ve done,” he said.
Sandner said the show fits well for the group of students he has this year.
It’s one of the first shows he’s done at M-CHS in a medieval setting, he said. The crew has put lots of effort into creating the costumes and the castle set.
He wanted to do something more playful after the dramatic “Big Fish” last year, he said. He hopes people are entertained by the show, he said.
“I hope they’ll be humming the songs when they leave,” Sandner said.
M-CHS music teacher Marla Sitton is directing the pit orchestra for the show. She said the music was somewhat tricky to learn, but it has been a fun show to rehearse.
“It’s been a really fun musical, and we’re really excited for opening night,” she said.
