The Marquis Players, a student-organized acting troupe that donates all proceeds from its yearly musical to charity, will present Once Upon a Mattress 8 p.m. Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 2, at the Williams Center for the Arts.
Tickets cost $5 and can be purchased from any cast member (see list below), at the door, or by contacting club president Jessica Goldblat ’06 (Springfield, N.J.) at goldblaj or (610) 438-1987.
Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer, and Dean Fuller’s Once Upon a Mattress is a spin on the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale “The Princess and the Pea.” When a curse renders King Sextimus unable to speak, the domineering Queen Aggravain takes charge of the kingdom. She insists that any potential bride for Prince Dauntless pass an impossible exam designed to ferret out true royalty. Twelve women have already failed when the courageous and sincere Winnifred swims the moat to reach the castle and vie for the prince’s affections. What follows is a tongue-in-cheek battle of wills.
“The Marquis Players is a great way for students to get involved in theater and giving back to the community,” says Goldblat, a psychology major. “Everything we do, from the directing to set designing to fundraising, is done by students and enables us to learn about various aspects of theater that we might not have experienced before. I think everyone involved benefits from the performance aspects of our show, but even more so from knowing that what we’re doing will help so many people in need.”
In its 20 previous productions, The Marquis Players has raised over $80,000 for local, national, and international causes. Last year, the group raised $7,700 for charities Third Street Alliance for Women and Children, Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley, Habitat for Humanity, Safe Harbor, SPCA, Lehigh Valley Food Bank, and Four Diamonds Fund.
Production Staff (students’ hometowns and majors included):
- Director – Benji Berlow ’06, Palmerton, Pa., psychology and Jewish studies (double major)
- Vocal Director – Jessica Goldblat ’06, Springfield, N.J., psychology
- Assistant Vocal Director – Caitlin Ward ’08, Wallingford, Pa.
- Choreographer – Amanda Driscoll ’06, Princeton Junction, N.J., electrical and computer engineering
- Set Designers – Christina Morley ’06, Westwood, N.J., psychology and Spanish (double major); and Dan O’Neil ’06, Lincoln, R.I., civil engineering
- Costumes – Danielle Wyckoff ’06, Reva, Va., B.S. electrical and computer engineering and A.B. international studies; and Lauren Chepauskas ’08, Atlantic Highlands, N.J., psychology
- Orchestra Conductor – Marc Gittleman ’06, Harriman, N.Y., mathematics-economics
- Lighting Designer – Chris Jacoby ’07, Madison, N.J., electrical and computer engineering
- Sound Designer – Gina Brewer ’07, Ann Arbor, Mich., religion and politics
- Stage Manager – Sara Kreisel ’07, North Bellmore, N.Y., B.S. biology and A.B. art
- Executive Producer – John Colatch, director of religious life and College chaplain
Cast:
- King Sextimus – Josh Hall ’06, Stevenson Ranch, Calif., economics and art (double major)
- Queen Aggravain – Caryn Donohue ’06, Garden City, N.Y., psychology
- Prince Dauntless – Dan O’Neil ’06, Lincoln, R.I., civil engineering
- Princess Winnifred – Amanda Driscoll ’06, Princeton Junction, N.J., electrical and computer engineering
- Sir Harry – Paul Sommers ’09, Wenonah, N.J.
- Lady Larken – Danielle Wyckoff ’06, Reva, Va., B.S. electrical and computer engineering and A.B. international studies
- Wizard – John Kolba ’06, Chelmsford, Mass., electrical and computer engineering
- Jester – Claire Corgan ’08, Bedford, N.Y., French
- Minstrel – Matt Roy ’07, Long Valley, N.J., international commerce
- Nightingale – Lindsay Laborda ’08, Media, Pa.
- Princess #12 – Patricia Goelz ’08, New Britain, Pa., neuroscience
- Sir Studley – Zach Ilch ’08, Ridgefield, N.J., A.B. engineering
- Sir Luce – Jeff Lininger ’07, Malvern, Pa., economics and business
- Luce’s Lady – Christina Morley ’06, Westwood, N.J., psychology and Spanish (double major)
- Lady Rowena – Jessica Goldblat ’06, Springfield, N.J., psychology
- Lady Rowena (Scene 9) – Lauren Chepauskas ’08, Atlantic Highlands, N.J., psychology
- Lady Merrill – Caitlin Ward ’08, Wallingford, Pa.
- Lady Lucille – Marissa Malcolm ’07, West Caldwell, N.J., neuroscience
- Lady H. – Ashley Mahler ’07, Jackson, N.J., neuroscience
- Lady Mabelle – Jessica Donovan ’09, Bridgewater, Mass.
- Emily – Melissa Larsen ’09, Swarthmore, Pa.
- Kitchen Wench – Nicole Huff ’07, Springfield, N.J., B.S. neuroscience and A.B. economics and business
- 2nd Wench – Jill Carey ’09, Sparta, N.J.
- 3rd Wench – Hannah Fink ’09, Whitehall, Pa.
- 1st Lady – Jessica Solloway ’09, West Windsor, N.J.
- 2nd Lady – Kate Ellis ’08, Katonah, N.Y., psychology
- 3rd Lady – Christine Fitzherbert ’08, Ringwood, N.J., biology
Executive Council:
- President – Jessica Goldblat ’06, Springfield, N.J., psychology
- Vice President – Ashley Mahler ’07, Jackson, N.J., neuroscience
- Treasurer – Caryn Donohue ’06, Garden City, N.Y., psychology
- Secretary – Caitlin Ward ’08, Wallingford, Pa.
- Business Managers – Christina Morley ’06, Westwood, N.J., psychology and Spanish (double major); and Lauren Chepauskas ’08, Atlantic Highlands, N.J., psychology