NHS presents 'Once Upon a Mattress'

Newark High students were busy last week preparing for this week's musical. (Pictured: Heather Jones helps with the set.) The NHS Theatrics (drama club) will stage "Once Upon a Mattress" on March 5, 6, and 7.

Tickets for the musical are available from cast and crew members, from Carol Boyce in the school office, or at the door.

The story is based on the folk tale, "The Princess and the Pea." The story is about a prince in search of his perfect bride, his overbearing mother and the princess who stumbles into this mess.

(Stage Manager Courtney Welcher is pictured.)

Members of the cast, in order of appearance:

Minstrel - Andrew Boeckmann; Wizard - Richard Austin; Dauntless - Andy Sloane; King Sextimus - Brandon English; Jester - Elliot Iocco; Sir Studley - Josh Backus; Sir Luce - Jason Holder; First Knight - Craig Benjamin; Second Knight - Tim De Ruyter; Third Knight - Matt Klemann; Sir Harry - Paul Scarpati; Princess #12 - Vanessa Behlau; Lady Larkin - Sarah Bald; Queen Aggrevain - Gretchen Snedeker; Lady Rowena - Sara Skinner; Lady Merrill - Nichole Mangus; Lady Lucille - Teresa Zappia; Princess Winnifred - Emily Howard; and Lady Mabelle - Marelis Lopez.

Chorus members are: Joe Lugo, Matt Addona, Kalyn Finewood, Rachel Scarpati, Jen Doyle, Olga Matveeva, Tiffany Cowley, Katrina Quigley, Myrnalis Lopez, Adam Daniels, Jason Whitbeck, Jessica DePugh, Jenn Roets, Johanna Krapichler, Julie Martin, Stacy Prizzi, Andy Wildey, and Lindsay Wilkins.

Steven Duprey of Phelps is the director, Jean Bendix is the vocal director, David Schwind is instrumental director; Mary Lou Shoemaker is music accompanist (pictured here with Brian Franchi); Michele Vair is in charge of set decoration; Donna Himmelberg is house manager, while Mike MacFadden and Courtney Welcher are stage managers; Kent Schneider and students did the set construction. (Photos by Sandra Marcano)